Calling All Spring Challengers – Past, Present & Future!

September 25–27, 2026

The 20th Anniversary of the Merrell Spring Challenge is coming... and it's going to be legendary.

We’re throwing the ultimate Spring Challenge celebration, and YOU are on the guest list.
A secret location. A familiar place.
A journey back to where it all began — sort of 😉
We're returning to a past Spring Challenge location for the first time ever!

Yes, you read that right.
For our 20th edition, we’re diving headfirst into nostalgia, triumph, mud, rivers, laughter, tears, and the incredible legacy of Aotearoa’s original women’s adventure race.

From Hanmer in 2007 to Tasman in 2024, we’ve seen snowstorms in Kurow, floods in Kaikoura, goldfields in Golden Bay, whitewater thrills in Queenstown, beachside finishes, epic traverses, and more.
Over 19 unforgettable locations, thousands of women, and a movement that changed the landscape of adventure forever.

We've empowered women.
We’ve inspired families.
We've brought communities together.
And we’ve left trails of transformation across the South Island.

Now, in 2026, it’s time to reflect, reunite, and reignite the spirit of Spring Challenge.
Whether you were at the very first event or you’ve just joined the movement, this is the one you don’t want to miss.

We’re putting on the party of all parties – the heart-thumping, high-vibe, trail-blazing kind of party that only Spring Challenge can deliver.

So, mark the date, rally your team, book that training hike, and stay tuned.
The secret location will be revealed after the 2025 Glenorchy extravaganza...
Until then, all we’ll say is: you’ve been here before — but not like this.

Spring Challenge 2026 — The Mother of All Adventure Races Turns 20.
Be part of the legacy. Be part of the party. Be part of the magic.