Rarotonga International Triathlon

This season’s racing season wrapped up with my favourite triathlon, the Rarotonga International Triathlon, in early May.

I have raced in Rarotonga twice now and just love going back to the island. Everyone is so friendly and on return I was already greeted by familiar faces and feel part of the triathlon community over there. The race itself is held at Tikioki on the South Eastern side of the Island. This is one of the prime snorkelling spots within the lagoon so luckily I had been for a swim over the course the day before the race, and see the fish, so I wasn’t distracted come race day.  Conditions while were there were quite windy and temperatures within the mid-20s.

The race site is pretty idyllic with white sandy beach, lagoon (although a little choppy) and plenty of shade from the coconut trees. All in all I am very happy with how my race went and stoked to finish in 2nd place overall after moving up a place on the run.

Although the triathlon is the main event there it is really a whole week long festival with a swim around the old ship wreck to kick things off on the Thursday, Pasta Party, triathlon on Saturday, awards dinner on Sunday, fun run and BBQ Monday, Round the Island cycle race Tuesday and a brewery beer mile on Wednesday.

While there is good competition and a level of prestige involved in the triathlon all the events have a fun social element about them as well. Aside from this we still had plenty of time for adventuring around the island, swimming and a little bit of lying on the beach relaxing. I’m more of an action holiday person!

So after 10 days in tropical paradise it has been a bit of a shock to the system coming back to the crispness that autumn has brought. But always glad to get back into routine at home and back to the job I love as an Optometrist at Canon Street Optometrist. 

Kia Orana
Martina