Cook Island Triathlon Association will be holding its annual Maori Auri Tinman Race for the 43rd time on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Association president Roland Neururer says this is an event with a long and interesting history, which local triathletes will proudly race. 

The first Tinman race was held on April 16, 1983, with nine individuals and nine teams competing.

It started in front of the Sailing Club in Muri with a 1200 metres swim. Leaving Muri Lagoon, the competitors then cycled around the island before running 10-kilometre from the Sailing Club into town and finishing at the Banana Court with a well-earned drink. 

Reports in the Cook Islands News mentioned the surprising interest in the race, evidenced by the large number of spectators who lined the course and cheered the athletes around the island.

The winner of that first race was Paul McDonnell in a great time of 2.09.32 hours with Don Carlaw and Dave Hickson three minutes behind him. Other competitors in the first Tinman were Brett Porter (2.20.32), Nooroa Robati (2.36.06), Tim Murray (2.46.27) and teams from Foodland, Fisheries, Apex and National Bank. 

The first female competitors entered the race in 1985 with Rangi Ngaata going on to be the first female winner in 2.40.29 hrs.  Fenny Smith, Lynnsay Francis, Mona Henderson and Bernie Raffe are all previous winners with Kelly Pick breaking the women’s record in 2011 with a time of 1.53.43 hrs.

The fastest time was set in 1990 by the then 20-year-old Bernard Wind, whose staggering cycle time of 48.34 minutes formed the basis of his 1.49.14 hours race record and was the last of three consecutive wins.

After teams completed the first Tinman, team racing really took off and the late eighties saw huge participation from the community with over 20 teams competing one year. The fastest team time dates back to 1990 when Bret Gibson, Richard Williams and Tim Martin set a cracker time of 1.47.12 hours.

“This year the numbers are good in both individual and team categories; athletes will appreciate your cheers and encouragement just as much as those back in the 80s,” Neururer said.

“Teams are a great way to participate in the sport of triathlon, and the committee of the triathlon association encourage you to have a chat with them at any time if you are keen to be a team member at any of their events.

“Cook Island Triathlon would also like to thank the sponsors, BSP and The Bond Store for their generous donation and the Raina Family for their land use.”

Race Statistics – Number of wins: Male – Roland Neururer 14, Geoff Stoddart 5, Mike Carr 3. Female – Serena Francis/Hunter 7, Vanessa Palmer/Woodger 5, Adrianna Skurosz 5, Kelly Pick 3.