Round Rarotonga Road Race 2025

Annual 31km road race around Rarotonga's scenic coastal road, plus 5km fun run, relay options, and cross-island "Nutters Run" from Titikaveka over mountain ridges.

Round Rarotonga Road Race 2025 returns to the Cook Islands from Thursday to Tuesday, September 18–23, 2025, with a full week of scenic running on Rarotonga capped by the iconic 31 km round‑island road race on Saturday, September 20, plus a 10 km run, a 3‑person relay option, the dress‑up Local Fun Run, the social Hash House Harriers run, and the legendary 8.5 km Nutters Cross Island Run for the truly adventurous. Organized in partnership with Island Car & Bike Hire and the Cook Islands events team, the 48th edition aligns with the nation’s 60th year of self‑governance and invites social, recreational, and competitive runners to pair tropical holiday time with milestone achievements on one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful islands.

Dates, schedule, and races

• Event window: Thursday–Tuesday, Sept 18–23, 2025.
• Main race day: Saturday, Sept 20, 2025 — 31 km road race around Rarotonga’s coastal ring road, with 10 km option and 3‑person relay available the same morning.
• Week program highlights:
• Thu Sept 18: Local Fun Run, 5:00 p.m., from Nikao Social Centre — dress‑up theme encouraged, gold coin donation entry.
• Sat Sept 20: 31 km starts 5:30 a.m. from Sinai Hall in Avarua; 10 km starts 7:30 a.m. in Muri; complimentary shuttle buses operate early morning for starters and supporters; finish‑line fruit and refreshments provided.
• Sun Sept 21: Official Prize‑giving Island Night Dinner & Show, 6:00 p.m..
• Mon Sept 22: Cook Islands Hash House Harriers run, 5:00 p.m., costumed social run with the island’s long‑running hash club.
• Tue Sept 23: Nutters Cross Island Run, approx. 8.5 km, from Vaimaanga over mountain ridges to Avatiu; walkers may start at 2:00 p.m., runners at 3:00 p.m.; record of 45:28 still stands from 1992.

Cook Islands Tourism’s event page confirms the annual September festival structure, detailing the main 31 km race and companion events that define Round Raro week every year.

Distances and formats

• 31 km round‑island: Run or walk solo, or tackle it as a 3‑person relay; the classic circumnavigation follows the scenic coastal road through villages, beaches, and church spires with supportive locals along the way.
• 10 km road race: Morning start in Muri with finish festivities; good for speed goals or first‑timers looking to join the Saturday action.
• Local Fun Run: Community meet‑and‑greet jog in costume to kick off the week.
• Hash House Harriers: Social evening run with the island’s storied hash club, celebrating decades of weekly outings without a miss since 1980.
• Nutters Cross Island Run: A rugged traverse from the south coast over volcanic ridges and riverbeds to the north coast at Avatiu; recommended only for strong, experienced trail runners due to steep, slippery terrain and heat.

Race calendars and sports aggregators list the 2025 event window, distances, and run/walk variety, underscoring Round Raro’s reputation as a pure “run‑cation” week with something for every level.

Registration and travel packages

Direct event registration is coordinated by the Cook Islands events team, with email contact on the official event page for 2025 entries and updates. New Zealand‑based sports travel operators report 2025 packages are sold out but can quote travel on request and are already taking early interest for 2026, reflecting demand for bundled flights, accommodation, race entries, and activities. The events portal confirms the 2025 dates on the national sports calendar, alongside other Cook Islands fixtures, reinforcing planning confidence for September travel.

What to expect on the course

• 31 km road race: A sunrise start at Avarua’s Sinai Hall sets the tone as the island wakes up. The ring road is largely flat with gentle undulations, shaded stretches beneath palms, and lagoon views that make the kilometers roll by. Locals cheer from verges, and aid volunteers hand out water, fruit, and encouragement at key points.
• 10 km in Muri: The island’s most famous lagoon gives a photogenic launch pad for a fast morning 10 km, with cool sea breezes and an enthusiastic crowd.
• Nutters Cross Island: Expect steep climbs, slippery roots, stream crossings, and tropical heat; grippy trail shoes are essential. This is the event that becomes legend over post‑race dinners.

Community and culture

Round Raro week is as much about Cook Islands culture as it is about running. The Sunday Island Night prize‑giving pairs awards with traditional drums, dance, and buffet cuisine, bringing runners and families together to celebrate achievements island‑style. The hash night is a social rite of passage for visiting runners, blending humor, costumes, and camaraderie with a jog under tropical dusk skies. Cook Islands Tourism describes the week as “totally geared for the holiday maker with a running addiction,” a succinct mission statement for a 48‑year tradition that turns a race into a shared island memory.

Training and pacing tips

• Heat management: Even with a pre‑dawn 31 km start, humidity builds quickly; hydrate early and use every aid station. Aim for even splits by respecting the early hours while the air is coolest.
• Terrain choices: If training has been mostly on roads, stick to the 31 km/10 km and save Nutters for a future trip unless accustomed to steep, technical trails.
• Post‑race recovery: Replenish electrolytes, snack on tropical fruit at the finish, and consider a gentle lagoon swim later in the day; avoid direct midday sun after racing.

Travel planning

• Getting there: Fly to Rarotonga International Airport (RAR); from there, resorts and guesthouses ring the coastal road. Shuttle and rental options are plentiful.
• Where to stay: Muri, Avarua, and Arorangi are popular bases that align well with start zones and event shuttles; operators build seven‑night packages to cover the full event arc from the fun run to Nutters.
• Getting around: The round‑island bus is convenient for spectators; on race morning, use event shuttles or confirmed transport to avoid road closures near starts and finishes.
• Family‑friendly: The week includes accessible fun runs and island activities; schedule snorkeling, lagoon cruises, and cultural nights between races so everyone enjoys the holiday.

Responsible enjoyment

• Road courtesy: The ring road stays partially open; follow marshal directions and keep left unless directed otherwise.
• Trail respect: On Nutters, yield at narrow points, do not shortcut switchbacks, and pack out all waste.
• Hydration and health: The Pacific sun is strong year‑round; sunscreen, hats, and steady hydration are essential even on “short” runs.

Why 2025 is special

The 2025 Round Rarotonga Road Race aligns with the Cook Islands’ 60th self‑governance anniversary, promising extra pride and festivity around the island as visitors and locals share the week’s milestones together. The event’s 48th running also signals remarkable continuity for a small‑island race series that has grown into one of the South Pacific’s signature road running gatherings.

Verified details at a glance

• Event: Island Car & Bike Hire Round Rarotonga Road Race (48th edition).
• Dates: Sept 18–23, 2025; main 31 km race on Sat, Sept 20.
• Races: 31 km run/walk/relay; 10 km; Local Fun Run; Hash House Harriers run; Nutters Cross Island Run ~8.5 km.
• Starts: 31 km 5:30 a.m. Sinai Hall (Avarua); 10 km 7:30 a.m. Muri; shuttles provided.
• Registration/info: Events team via the official page; dates and program published by Cook Islands Tourism and sports calendars.
• Note: 2025 travel packages cited by a NZ operator are sold out; contact for quotes or plan ahead for 2026.

Lace up for a race week where lagoon blues meet runner’s highs. Lock in flights to Rarotonga for Sept 18–23, choose the 31 km circumnavigation or the 10 km sprint, dress up for the fun run, and save a little grit for Nutters if the mountains call. Check the event page to register and confirm shuttles and start logistics, then get ready for a Cook Islands run‑cation that pairs finish lines with island nights, culture, and new friends on the world’s friendliest race route.