Merrell Spring Challenge – Women’s Adventure Race 2026

Hanmer Springs is the origin of this race, and its 20th anniversary returns it to the starting point. Merrell Spring Challenge is an "all-women’s adventure race" for teams of three. It’s a multi-discipline outdoor challenge combining running, mountain biking, navigation, and the elements. It feels less like a standard race and more like heading out with two friends to solve a dynamic puzzle across diverse natural landscapes. The course changes annually. The task is to read the map, reach the checkpoints, and keep the team moving through rural trails, bush, rivers, and mixed off-road terrain. All team members complete each section together. Pace is important, as are decisions, patience, and collaboration when the route becomes challenging. Timed categories cater to different adventure levels, accommodating various ambitions. Teamwork and exploration are as central as the final results.