The lagoon in Titikaveka could not have been more perfect for the PTS Adventure Triathlon which was held on Saturday afternoon.

This unique annual race which consists of 1200 metres stand up paddle board (SUP), a 19-kilometre mountain bike, a 1.5km bush run and a 2km road run was a hugely fun and challenging event. 

Cook Islands Triathlon Association president Roland Neururer said: “With a beautiful calm lagoon and very little wind, the competitors swiftly paddled their boards around the irregular shaped course, which had a number of turns and required skill and speed to set them ahead for the next leg of the race.”

Jakub Postrzygacz was first out of the water and with an extremely quick transition he sped off for the challenging mountain bike course.

Hot on Postrzygacz’s heels were Mike Tait and Jason Moorfield followed by the first lady to exit the water Maria Rolleston. Some solid efforts on the SUPs saw Kelly Pick, Alyce Edwards and Adrianna Skurosz chase her down and the race was really on. 

Last year’s men’s race winner Roland Neururer was not far behind the leading men and soon caught up to make the mountain bike leg a great race for the front runners.

A steep uphill bush run after 15km was gruelling in the heat and really tested all of the competitors, Neururer said.

First into the transition area and off the bike was Moorfield, followed by Mike Tait and Kelly Pick. 

“Jason’s strength and determination held strong through the road run and he came home in overall first place and champion of the PTS Adventure Race. The first lady home was Kelly Pick taking out the lady’s trophy, followed by Adrianna Skurosz and Alyce Edwards in second and third place.”

The second and third place men were Tait and Neururer. 

Neururer said sponsors PTS, Uncle Tom’s BBQ Shop and The Bond Store donated fantastic prizes for the winners, who also enjoyed chicken cooked by the pit master Tom McDonald. 

The Cook Island Triathlon Association would like to thank their very generous sponsors PTS, Uncle Tom’s BBQ Shop and The Bond Store, the Raina family for the kind use of the land behind Enua Manes Hall and the staff of PTS and all the other volunteers who so kindly gave their afternoon to assist with marshalling, timekeeping, water station and organisation. 

The next event is in two weeks and is for the young people. The Paradise Supplies Kid’s Triathlon will be held on Saturday, February 26, it is free to enter and open to all kids up to age 16. 

Participants must be able to cycle a bike on the open road and be able to swim 100 metre in the lagoon.  To enter your child please email jennieinraro@gmail.com.

Results

Men’s – Jason Moorfield 94:26 minutes, Mike Tait – 97:34 minutes, Roland Neururer – 100:25 minutes; Women’s – Kelly Pick 96:25 minutes, Adrianna Skurosz 105:36 minutes, Alyce Edwards 105:47.