The lagoon in Titikaveka could not have been more perfect for the PTS & Uncle Toms Adventure Race which was held Saturday afternoon.

This unique race consists of a 1200 metre stand up paddle board, a 19-kilometre mountain bike, a 1.5km bush run and a 2km road run.

Cook Islands Triathlon Association president Roland Neururer said the event was hugely challenging and fun. 

“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 Roland Neururer and Adrianna Skurosz.

Neururer was not far behind the leading man, Postrzgacz, 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.   

First into the transition area and off the bike was Neururer, followed by Skurosz who was closely followed by Jacob Pynenburg, and Paul Dobinson. Neururer’s strength and determination held strong through the road run and he came home in overall first place and champion of the PTS & Uncle Toms Adventure Race.

The first lady home was Adrianna Skurosz taking out the lady’s trophy, followed by Brook Ross and Alyce Nicholson in second and third places, respectively. The second and third placed men were Postrzgacz and Pynenberg, respectively.  

Sponsors PTS, Uncle Tom’s BBQ Shop and The Bond Store donated fantastic prizes for the winners and all competitors were recognised. 

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 Manea Hall and all the volunteers who so kindly gave their afternoon to assist with marshalling, timekeeping and organisation. 

The next event is the “Longest Race in the Cook Islands”, The Ariki Challenge, which is set for Saturday, September 14, “so if you are thinking about it come and join our training sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays”, Cook Islands Triathlon said.

This race is a team race, a team comprises of two athletes, who need to finish together all the disciplines. The distances for this race are; 5.8km Sup, 13km run over the Island and a 45km bush ride on mountain bikes. This race will take around five to six hours.

To sign up for this race, email Neururer at fb1@edgewater.co.ck.

• CITAI