Over 270 runners and walkers across the 10 kilometre and 31km courses hit the Rarotonga roads for the annual event. Second time champion, Gene Rand from the Night Ninjas Running Club in Aotearoa New Zealand, was stoked to be back again, and the first across the finish line. Rand first competed in the Round Rarotonga Race in 2018 when he placed first.
On Saturday, he clocked 1:58:43 hours to finish ahead of Scott van Dyk (2:01:58 hours) and local Andrew Logan in third place in 2:18:00 hours. First local home, Andrew Logan in the 2024 BSP Round Rarotonga Road Race. MELINA ETCHES/24092105 Sue Crowley was the first women and fifth overall in the 31km race, clocking 2:28:22 hours.
Rupeni Mataitonga defended the 10km title. “It’s even better the second time, even better, it’s fantastic,” said Rand. He said the rich history of the event attracted him to return to the Round Rarotonga Race.
“It’s the history of it like it’s been going for such a long time and there’s some amazing runners who have run this event. “It’s everything about it, the support out on the course, the camaraderie, it’s a great course as well nice and flat and fast, and yeah it’s great.” Rand is also proud of the new “Night Ninjas” running club that was officially registered last December.
“We’re just a group of dads who used to run at night time after the kids have gone to bed, a group of mates who do park runs and things like that.” Since their club has been registered, they h.