Grace Thek takes close women’s race at Challenge Wanaka

It was a small, but competitive women’s field at the opening Challenge-Family event of 2023 – Challenge Wanaka in New Zealand. Three women started the final leg of the race within nine seconds of each other, setting up an exciting half-marathon run for the women’s title.

Kiwi Rebecca Clarke led the way out of the water in 24:44, with Thek almost two minutes down and Els Visser (NED) hitting T1 another 29 seconds back in third. Lotte Wilms, another Dutch athlete, was in the mix through the swim and much of the bike, but would eventually drop out.

It’s Rebecca Clarke who is really going strong today! After 12km on the bike she is still leading, with Lotte Wilms following at 23 seconds behind. Grace Thek is riding at +1:39 and Els Visser at +2:06. Courtney Gilfillan is following as fifth at +5:40. pic.twitter.com/FnKBPLfPbf

— Challenge Family (@ChallengeFamily) February 17, 2023

Related: Destination race – Challenge Wanaka

A third of the way through the bike Thek found herself trailing Clarke by 1:38, with Visser sitting almost exactly halfway between the two at 45 seconds. Visser would eventually get to the transition in first, with Clarke just a couple of seconds behind and Thek at 12 seconds.

By the halfway point of the run, though, Thek had made her move and was 1:15 ahead of Visser, with Clarke 3:18 behind.

This way Grace! Victory awaits! ?#wearetriathlon #seeyouatthefinishline #allabouttheathlete pic.twitter.com/z30lrlfVEz

— Challenge Family (@ChallengeFamily) February 17, 2023

Thek finished things out, hitting the finish line in 4:32:30, with Visser having on for second in 4:34:59 and Clarke rounding out the podium in 4:40:04.

You can see full results here.