The Air New Zealand Rarotonga Triathlon is more than a race, it is a festival of events held over one week.

Join us for a jam-packed week of island fun and fitness, including our world-renowned Olympic Distance triathlon race.

The all-inclusive race fee for 2025 covers all events and dinners!

• Individual entry - $380
• Team entry (per person) - $380.

Our 2025 festival runs from Thursday the 1st May through to Tuesday the 5th May.

FESTIVAL EVENTS

Thursday 4:30pm

CITC Boiler Swim

Race Pack pick-up available here!

This is an ocean swim of approximately 800 meters - an out and back around the protruding wreck of the SS Maitai.

It starts and finishes from the shoreline in front of Trader Jack’s Bar & Grill (Ara Tapu, in Avarua) on the Thursday afternoon before the Triathlon.

The event is open to anyone. Supporters, local residents and anyone else visiting Rarotonga are all welcome to join the fun.

New Zealand Olympian Nathan Richmond holds the course record of 9 minutes, set in 2001 under exceptional conditions.

Location: Trader Jack's (Avarua Township)

Thursday 7:30pm

Prizegiving and Carbo Loading Pasta Dinner

The Pasta Dinner follows the Boiler Swim and will be held at the Edgewater Resort.

Anyone who attends the CITC Boiler Swim will need to make their way from Avarua (town centre) to the resort. The distance is about 7k, or a 10min drive, and there is generally plenty of time.

At the Pasta Dinner there will be a prize giving for the CITC Boiler swim and Registration Package pickup for competitors who did not collect at the Boiler Swim.

There will also be a Triathlon Race Briefing during the Pasta Dinner, so be sure to ask any questions if you are unsure of anything related to the triathlon.

Location: Edgewater Resort & Spa in Arorangi

Saturday 1:30pm

Air New Zealand Rarotonga Triathlon

The International Triathlon was first run in 1995. While the majority of competitors each year have come from New Zealand, the event has also had international participants from Australia, Tahiti, USA, Canada and Sweden

Join competitors from all over the world on this exciting course with breathtaking views!

• 1.5k Swim
• 42k Bike
• 10k Run

Start time:

• Transition Area Opens: 11:30am
• Race Start: 1:30pm
• Race Cut-Off: 6:00pm

Location: Tikioki Triathlon Site (Starts and finishes)

Sunday 4:30pm

Prize Giving Awards Dinner

The awards dinner is your chance to wind-down and celebrate your participation. It is also a good opportunity to re-live your achievements or mishaps with your friends.

Following the dinner will be the awards presentation to all category winners, plus random draws for spot prizes provided by the event sponsor Air New Zealand. Winners must be present in order to collect their prize.

Location: Edgewater Resort & Spa in Arorangi

Monday 5:00pm

Hash House Harriers Fun Run & BBQ

The Rarotonga chapter of the Hash House Harriers organises an Island BBQ for the participants and supporters who are attending the Triathlon Festival.

This event will start with the 'Hash Run' (optional) which ends up on a beach (location to be determined). The location details are announced at the Awards banquet. A delicious assortment of BBQ food and salads will be available, prepared by the local Hash House members.

Location: TBC

Tuesday 4:30pm

Ride Raro Tour De Raro Cycle Race

31.2km Cycle race around the island that allows drafting!

This cycle race was added to the list of events in 1998 as an additional event for visiting athletes and a chance for the Cook Island residents to get some international competition.

The course record is 42:16, set in 2002 by Australian Ironman Luke Bell. Bell was unable to complete the triathlon that year due to an injury but his cycle split in the Tour de Raro has since been unbeatable.

It is a one lap clockwise circumnavigation of Rarotonga’s coastal road (31.2km), starting and ending in Avarua (town centre) on the Tuesday afternoon.

Drafting is permitted. Since many riders will have triathlon style bikes, the rules in this race are that you must not use your profile bars unless you are leading. This is for safety reasons.

While a few will 'go hard' many of the riders will treat this as more of a social ride. So if you are not confident pack rider then just take it easy and just enjoy the views!

Location: Ride Raro at Avarua Township

Tuesday 7:30pm

Prize Giving Awards Dinner (Ride Raro Tour De Raro)

An awards presentation and BBQ is held at the Edgewqater following the Ride Raro Tour De Raro cycle race.

The cycle race ends in Avarua, so athletes and supporters will need to make their way from Avarua (town centre) to the resort. The distance is about 7km or a 10min drive.

Following the BBQ there will be an awards presentation plus a few novelty random draws.

Location: Edgewater Resort & Spa in Arorangi