Nine teams of two triathletes each will take part in the second Ariki Adventures Raro Challenge multisport event this morning.

The race will start at 8am sharp with a 5.7 kilometre Stand Up Paddle Board from Tikioki to Vaimaanga followed by an 8.4km Cross Island Track which they will complete as a run, scramble or walk. The final hurdle will be a 48km mountain bike race which takes in many of the steepest parts of the island, including many off road sections, water intakes and rugged terrain. The finish line will be at Enua Manea Hall in Tikioki.

Roland Neururer and Jason Moorfield set the race record last year – the inaugural year – after finishing the events with a time of 4:44:51 hours. 

Neururer is teaming up with Matthew Wyatt for the Roll-Mat team while Jason will spearhead Te Awhitu Whanau with his wife Tarina.

Neururer, who is the president of the Cook Islands Triathlon Association, said the participants were “all ready to go and have some fun”.

Teams

Time Bandits – Marama Denny and Richard Denny, Te Awhitu Whanau – Tarina Moorfield and Jason Moorfield, Rolleston Bucket List – Roly Rolleston and Maria Rolleston, Roll-Mat – Roland Neururer and Matthew Wyatt, Gins at 3 – Helena Cook and Nick Shalders, Budgies – David Street and Andrew Logan, A Team – Alun Dodd and Andrew Whittaker, Maanga – John Engu and Bobby Datt and TBC – Adrian Hopwood and Chris Stansell.