Rarotonga Road Race September 2012

Canada's own Marathon Man – Martin Parnell – overcame many obstacles to reach his goal of running in 250 FULL 42Km Marathons in 2010. His story of how he single handedly raised over $300,000 for "Right To Play" in one year is truly inspiring.

Now Martin has a much bigger quest. He has set his sights on raising over $1 Million for Right To Play. Martin needs to broaden his horizons to reach this incredible goal, and he needs a little help from you this time. Martin has broken down his overall quest into many smaller events over the next few years.

You can help Martin raise over $20,000 (all funds go directly to Right To Play) by joining him in the glorious Cook Islands to run part/all of the 32km Round Rarotonga Road Race. To make a real spectacle of this event, and to help raise the funds he needs, Martin has committed to starting this race around 9.00pm (9 hours before the pack) and run around beautiful Rarotonga twice before joining in with the rest of the runners to at 6am and doing the 32km for a third time!

Some might say "crazy," but Martin says, "Nowadays you have to do something extraordinary to get the attention and earn the donations for a worthy cause, and Right To Play is very much worthy."

Travel Dates for 7 Night Packages — 16th Sep to 23rd Sep
Travel Dates for 14 Night Packages — 16th Sep to 30th Sep (recommended to take in more running events)
Click here to view full schedule of running events

If you can’t run the full Road Race of 32kms, there is also a 10km Run for you

Rarotonga Race Week Event Schedule

Thursday 20 September – Fun Run
You and your team need to be here no later than this date.
This is the 5km fun run where everyone is encouraged to dress up and have fun!
There will be a full briefing of the week’s program before the fun run kicks off.
Briefing will take place at 5pm and Race Packs will be available after the Fun Run, venue to be confirmed.

Friday 21 September – Rest Day
This is a free day – take the opportunity to discover more of Rarotonga.

Saturday 22 September – Main Event
Race Day – The 31km race will start opposite our Cook Islands Tourism office and information centre in Avarua at 5:30am and
the 10km race will start in Muri at 7:30am. Complimentary busses available to pick up participants in the morning to get you to the race by 5.30am.
Race Numbers and Final Registration checks will be conducted from the Corporate Marquee prior to the race.
Refreshments & light snacks will be supplied in the corporate tent for all runners & supporters after the race.
The 2012 Round Rarotonga Road will start at 5.30am.

Sunday 23 September – Prize Giving Dinner
This is a day of rest in the Cook Islands with limited activities available.
We recommend that everyone attend a Sunday church service where you can enjoy the distinctive traditional hymns of the Cook Islands.
The Official Prize Giving Ceremony and Dinner will kick off at 6pm. Venue to be confirmed.
See Registration forms for Official Categories.

Monday 24 September – Hash House Harriers Birthday Run
The local Hash House Harriers scheduled birthday run will get underway at 5.30pm.
There will be a theme – the louder the better – Everyone can join in!

Tuesday 25 September - Round The Rock Relay
The relay will start at 4pm with each team having 5 or 10 members each. Again this is a fun event and all teams are encouraged to adopt a theme.
There will also be Sausage Sizzle BBQ and non alcoholic drinks will be served after the event.

Wednesday 26 September - Nutters Cross Island Run
This run starts at 4.30pm from the site of the Royal Takitumu Hilton Resort and heads over mountain ridges, across rugged valleys and riverbeds down to the Avatiu Coastline.
This run is not for the fainthearted and with the record still unbeaten at 45 minutes, promises to be an exciting challenge. If you think you can beat it, give it a go.
All participants are asked to be at the Market by 4pm – A complimentary bus will transport everyone to the Start Line.