Ceremony honours runners

Keen Round Raro Road Race runners, mark September 21, 2013, in your calendars.

The date was announced by Athletics Cook Islands head Ina Marsters as the official date of the 36th edition of the RRRR next year.

It was one of a number of important moments at the 2012 race’s prizegiving at the Edgewater on Sunday night to most of the 270 competitors of both sections of the RRRR.

Race organiser Kristina Lewis-Tatam earlier spoke about the successful nature of the race that saw an increase in the 31 kilometre and 10 kilometre race participants.

Another positive was the lack of serious injuries, with just one Canadian competitor receiving hospital treatment for a fractured leg.

The large crowd then listened as John Carter, receiving an award for his second placing in the Men’s 60-69 division, spoke passionately about his contribution to cancer prevention in the Cook Islands as well as with troubled youth in Rarotonga.

Having pledged to create a fund to generate $80,000 of support for troubled youth, the High Commissioner said he had already received $40,000 from the Head of Missions.

“One of the most important things is the reasons you do these things is for others,” Carter said.

The high commissioner thanked wife Leonie for her support as well as Vanessa Palmer and Lisa Williams, who had been helping Carter prepare for the race for a year.

He also acknowledged Warick Brenan, the 2012 race winner who was overcoming lung cancer when he ran the race.

“It shows that even though you are suffering from illnesses you can do these things,” Carter, a cancer survivor himself, said.

It made for a feel good night as the awards were presented throughout the various categories before dinner was served.