Cook Islands Triathlon Association is excited about the forthcoming big week of events which surround the 30th Air New Zealand Rarotonga Triathlon to be held this Saturday, May 4.

The first event will be the CITC Boiler Swim on Thursday, May 2.  Athletes will be meeting at the Trader Jacks car park from about 4pm with the race scheduled to start at 5pm.

Cook Islands Triathlon president Roland Neururer said: “Many of the international visitors who have come to take part in Saturday’s major triathlon use this event as a warm up, and a chance to experience swimming and racing in our wonderful clear waters for the first time.”

Locals are also encouraged to enter for a gold coin donation. Race registration is at Trader Jacks at 4-4.30pm

On Saturday, the flagship 30^th Air New Zealand Rarotonga Triathlon, an Olympic distance event consisting of a 1.5-kilometre swim, 42km cycle and 10km run, will be held.

The event which has been sponsored by Air New Zealand for all 30 years will be taking place from the Tikioki Tri site and starts at 1.30pm.

Neururer said: “Many overseas athletes have arrived already in preparation for this wonderful event.”

“Both individuals and teams are able to enter the race, and although international entries have now closed, locals are able to register, either to complete the whole race themselves, or with one or two team mates, until Wednesday, May 1, this is the absolute deadline, and no entries can be made on the day.”

On Tuesday, May 7, the Ride Rarotonga Tour de Raro cycle race will take place.

Cyclists start from the BSP Bank in town and do one flying lap of the island.

“This is a draft legal race, meaning that all cyclists will be riding very close to each other and at significant speeds. Road users are asked to take extra care on this afternoon and be very mindful of this race.”

Local athletes are welcome to be part of the fun, race entry is free for locals and cyclists must be at the start line to enter by 4pm on race day.

“It is fantastic to once again be able to hold our week of events for our local and overseas athletes. There will be around 100 athletes who will be involved with the main event on Saturday and the CITC Boiler Swim and Ride Rarotonga Cycle Race add to the excitement and fun,” Neururer added.