PURSUIT IN PARADISE
AITUTAKI MARATHON
2026 pursuit in paradise
AITUTAKI MARATHON
26 april to 30 april 2026
42.2 KM
BETWEEN OCEAN AND SKY
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The annual Aitutaki Marathon is not a race - its a uniquely Cook Islands experience!
In fact - we like to say it’s your holiday interrupted with a run!
In its 8th year of running - Pursuit in Paradise continues its magic of clutching the hearts of runners and supporters and imprinting a special bond to the island of Aitutaki and her people.
Who goes to paradise and runs a marathon?
This year 50 hardy international and local participants lined up before sunrise for the ultimate challenge in paradise not for gold or glory but because they could!
Some trained and travelled from as far as Italy and Germany, others sailed in from the Pacific blue to Aitutaki, saw the signs and lucked in on unplanned Cook Islands experience.
For the first timer – an eye opening and soul awakening experience.
For the initiated – a blessed sense of homecoming.
Truly words cannot describe the experience – but accolades poured out from runners of the uplifting force of support by the people of Aitutaki who manned aid stations and ensured the wellbeing of all participants.
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📷 Photography Credit: Tabby Berg of Maunga Media
GO THE DISTANCE!
sunDAY 26 april 2026
race briefing/pasta night
A pasta dinner for all runners and supporters will commence at 5.30pm. there will be a full race briefing and the opportunity for final race registrations to be completed.
monDAY 27 april 2026
orientation day
A day to familiarise yourself with the race courses before Race Day
tuesDAY 28 april 2026
race day
All 3 race distances will have a staggered start from Ootu point. The full marathon 42.2km race starts at 5.30am, then its a 6.30am start for those in the 21.1km race before the 10km race starts at 7.30am.
Complimentary transfers will be available to pick participants in the morning to get you to the start line before your race. Race numbers will be in your race packs and given to you on your arrival to Rarotonga. At the finishing of the race, there will be complementary coconut juice, water, and tropical fruit for all runners and supporters.
wednesday 29 APRIL 2026
lagoon/rest day - prizegiving dinner
What better way to recover from the previous days running that a day out on the stunning aitutaki lagoon.
For many years our people have sat and soaked in the waters of aitutaki lagoon as a way of easing the aches and pains in our muscles and joints.
The Official prize giving, dinner and entertainment will begin at 6pm.
thursDAY 30 april 2026
runway 5km fun run
Run will start at 5pm (after all planes have left) heading south to the end of the runway and back.
Afterwards those inclined are invited back to the Aitutaki Golf Club for a couple of cold ones.
OUR SPONSORS
©2025 by Pursuit in Paradise Aitutaki Marathon