Fourteen teams took part in the annual Round the Rock Relay on Tuesday, in preparation for the 44th Round Rarotonga Road Race this Saturday.

The top three finishers at the 2021 Round the Rock Relay set new course records on Tuesday.

Top finisher Rarotonga Track & Field Club finished the race with a new course record time of 1 hour 39:09 minutes.

Last year, the club which mostly comprised Tereora College students also finished on top with a time of 1.42:36 hours.

On Tuesday, Te Aponga with a time of 1.41:02 hours and Pacific Resort 1.42:19 hours, finished second and third, respectively.

The race also had other government agencies and local businesses competing. Avarua School Bullets, the lone school team competing in this year’s event, finished in fifth place with a time of 1.47:11 hours. Fitness group TAU Johnsons managed fourth place with a time of 1.45:59 hours.

The best dressed team prize went to Vaianas Road Runners while Maritime CI Les Misérables scooped the Awe-Inspiring Team award. Team Tourism managed the Most Enthusiastic Team prize.

Ed Herman, manager of main sponsor Toa Gas, was pleased with the participation.

“We had over 200 competitors and supporters taking part in this year’s event. The race was held in four zones and each team had a minimum of 10 participants.”

Avarua School Bullets fielded the highest number of competitors – 32.

Herman said the major aim of the race was to bring our communities together in a fun and collaborative way.

“For some teams this was a perfect bonding session and for others, who are competing in this Saturday’s Round Rarotonga Road Race or the 10km event, this served as a warm up,” he said.

“Generally, it was a fun family day for everyone from participants to supporters.”

Kevin Henderson from the organising committee thanked Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee officials for helping them run the event.

Henderson also thanked the sponsors Toa Gas – major sponsor, Primefoods, Turoa Baker, Rarotonga Brewery, Ride Monster Café and Pacific Resort for their support.

There was a BBQ after the completion of the race, thanks to the support from the generous sponsors.

The organisers are hoping for a bigger and better event in 2022.

Volunteers preparing the BBQ for the after-event function. SUPPLIED/21092210

The winning Rarotonga Track & Field Club. SUPPLIED/21092211

The best dressed team prize went to Vaianas Road Runners. CISNOC/21092214

Some of the participants at the Round the Rock Relay. SUPPLIED/ 21092212