Visitor wins half marathon

On Saturday, 20 keen runners gathered at the Tikioki Tri site for a recreational half marathon in the lead up to the Round Rarotonga Road Race on September 25.

As they huddled under the marquee during the race briefing, the rain and wind looked like it would dampen all spirits.

However, it stopped just before start time at 7am and everyone was pleased to have a cloudy, cool morning to run in.

The out-and back course proved very popular, with runners being able to see their competitors and get plenty of support and cheers from the sidelines as well.

Our race winner was Gary MacIlwee, a tourist from New Zealand who happened to be off on a 20km run anyway and decided to join in!

Gary kept with the lead bunch of four throughout the race, breaking away in the last 300m or so, to sprint in and finish in 1hr 31min 42 seconds, with Scott Howley just six seconds behind in 1.31.48.

Third this week went to winner of last week’s race Roland Neururer in 1.33.30 followed by Esther Honey vet Brian Toncray 27 seconds later in 1.33.57.

Rounding up the top 10 were Vanessa Palmer and partner Ryhs Woodger in fifth equal followed by Taki Anaru, Fiona Pekepo, Rory Quirke and Hamish Weir.

Everyone had fantastic races, and had to battle a big headwind on the Titikaveka straight. Four other keen runners finished the half marathon, with five others opting to take the shorter option of 16.1km or 11.1km - all with great efforts, big smiles and fantastic times. Huge thanks to Vaima Water for supplying the water, and also to all our helpers on the day .

Feedback on the event was so good that the Triathlon Association will look at it becoming an annual race!