A beautiful breezy sunny morning accompanied by the symphony of drums welcomed runners to the finish line at the 47th Round Rarotonga Road Race (RRRR) on Saturday morning.

Over 270 runners and walkers across the 10 kilometre and 31km courses hit the Rarotonga roads for the annual event.

Second time champion, Gene Rand from the Night Ninjas Running Club in Aotearoa New Zealand, was stoked to be back again, and the first across the finish line.

Rand first competed in the Round Rarotonga Race in 2018 when he placed first. On Saturday, he clocked 1:58:43 hours to finish ahead of Scott van Dyk (2:01:58 hours) and local Andrew Logan in third place in 2:18:00 hours.

First local home, Andrew Logan in the 2024 BSP Round Rarotonga Road Race. MELINA ETCHES/24092105

Sue Crowley was the first women and fifth overall in the 31km race, clocking 2:28:22 hours. Rupeni Mataitonga defended the 10km title.

“It’s even better the second time, even better, it’s fantastic,” said Rand.

He said the rich history of the event attracted him to return to the Round Rarotonga Race.

“It’s the history of it like it’s been going for such a long time and there’s some amazing runners who have run this event.

“It’s everything about it, the support out on the course, the camaraderie, it’s a great course as well nice and flat and fast, and yeah it’s great.”

Rand is also proud of the new “Night Ninjas” running club that was officially registered last December.

“We’re just a group of dads who used to run at night time after the kids have gone to bed, a group of mates who do park runs and things like that.”

Since their club has been registered, they have successfully organised running events.

Rand said their membership was already up to 190 in about eight months “so it’s going really well”.

First local home was the impressive Andrew Logan who was third across the finish line.

Logan has run the Round Raro five times now. He hopes to inspire others in having a go at the event.

“I try and motivate other people… it’s about healthy lifestyles and maintaining that balance,” said Logan.

Kevin Henderson (left) completed his 33rd 2024 BSP Round Rarotonga Road, David Lobb ran the 10 km, and William Tommy ran the 31km. MELINA ETCHES/24092165

Legendary local ironman athlete Kevin Henderson successfully completed his 33^rd Round Rarotonga Race, crossing the finish line barefoot.

Henderson’s proud wife Mona said: “He’ll be 70 next year and is still going strong.”

Another local legend, David Lobb, who will be turning 73 in a couple of weeks, had a great finish completing the 10km race under one hour.

“I did the 10km under an hour which is what I wanted to do,” said Lobb.

“It’s good to finish, the best part is the finish.”

Lobb has completed the Round Rarotonga Race 30 times, having participated in the event from 1978 to 2007.

He hasn’t run the Round Rarotonga for quite a few years now preferring the shorter races. But he still competes in the Oceania Masters in the long jump and triple jump events.

Local triathlete William Tommy completed another successful 31km race.

“Running is good stress relief,” said Tommy.

He says his training regime has been pretty uneducated and he has made a lot of mistakes along the way.

“Then I got to discipline.”

Tommy encourages people who would like to take up running to do it slowly.

“Do the walks first, once you do you won’t want to give up. And guys like David (Lobb) and Kevin (Henderson) are an inspiration to Cook Islanders.”

The first relay team “Relay Running Redbacks” across the line in the 2024 BSP Round Rarotonga Road Race. At Left: Jason Murray, Country Head for ANZ Bank. MELINA ETCHES/24092107

The first three runners to cross the finish line in the relay section were the Relay Running Redbacks led by Jason Murray, country head of ANZ Bank.

Phoebe Smith, the Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, also ran the 10km course, finishing strongly and smiling over the line.