The Cook Islands News production and design manager clocked a time of 5:04:42.0, ahead of Craig Murray, who clocked 5:44:55.0.

Asked how he felt crossing the finishing line first, Rowe said, “To be honest, I didn’t know I was first; I was just so very happy to get to sit down.”

In preparation for the race, Rowe said he did two practice walks on the two weekends prior: a 12km and a 24km walk.

He revealed that after a health scare in July, he joined Top Shape Gym and started eating the right foods.

“In that time, I have moved from 100+kg to 91kg. The RRRR came at the perfect time – it was something I had wanted to do but always put off. I’m really glad I did it.”

Rowe said that mentally he knew he would be fine, but physically it was a different story: “Five hours on your feet is a long time and from the practice walks I knew it was going to be painful. I also had a high calf strain from stepping off a ladder trimming the hedge and had been very sore in the week leading up to the event.”

What was going through his mind when he was walking? He said, “I was glad we don’t live on a bigger island.”

With motivation wavering in the final stretch, thoughts of a well-earned treat kept his spirits high as he had seen and “waved to Vili and Alyce several times while walking through Matavera, so breaking my diet at Vili’s Burger Joint was a firm motivation – a Chicken Sandwich and Loaded Chicken Bites were mostly what was rolling around in my brain. After all, if I can’t have that after 36,000 steps, when can I? So I did, and it was delicious.”

The victory is all part of his ‘getting healthy journey, Rowe said.

“It was nice to do something and get a reward for it, as most of what you do when losing weight involves personal and quiet goals. Also, my son is a natural athlete, and wins pretty much whatever he enters, so it was nice to win something and have him congratulate me.”

For others considering the challenge, his advice is simple: “Get some good sounds/podcast/audiobook sorted for it – it is a long time, and you’ll have the sorest feet and shoulders and taking your mind off the pain makes it much more enjoyable.”
Rowe thanked all the sponsors, the Girl Guides, and the team at DMCK.

Athletics Cook Islands’ Simone Fe’ao said they were pleased with how the 49th Round Raro Road Race went, as they had another strong field of over 300 participants, with a great mix of local and international runners and walkers.

“It is always encouraging to see so many people returning year after year, and that loyalty is a big part of what has made Round Raro such a special event.”
She said the event continues to be an important partnership with Turama, not only as a major event on their sporting calendar but because a percentage of the profit goes towards supporting the youth athletics development programme.

“We are already starting to think about next year’s 50th edition and how we can celebrate half a century of Round Raro. We want it to be something special for both our local community and the many overseas participants who return to Rarotonga for Round Raro.

“We hope to see many of them back again from 16–21 September 2027 to celebrate the 50th with us,” Fe’ao added.