Walking Samoans walk round Rarotonga
The brainchild of Radio Samoa, the Walking Samoans is a walking club with branches throughout the country. This year the Porirua branch travelled further afield.
In 2018, the Porirua Walking Samoans walked from Palmerston North back to Porirua to raise awareness of diabetes. With that success under their belts, the organisers – Siaosi Anamani and Rev. Martin Mariota – started looking for something bigger to do in 2019.
Siaosi says, “To our surprise we came across the Round Rarotonga Road Race.”
Every September this international event attracts walkers and runners from around the world for a mix of serious races and fun runs.
Once the Porirua Walking Samoans had confirmed who would go, “fundraising became a priority along with preparing our walkers mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for our journey”.
The team, along with supportive family members, aged two to 70, flew to Rarotonga together. “There was a lot of excitement, especially from the kids, and it was a mad
dash from Auckland domestic to the international flight. It almost felt like a warm up for us as we were rushing to the gate. Thankfully we all boarded safely.”
They arrived to “a beautiful welcome in Rarotonga with the sun shining and the smash of the heatwave when we stepped out of the plane. The organisers greeted us with flower leis and a bus ride to our accommodation.”
Race day brought an early start. “We were picked up at 4.30am to get to the start line at 5.30.”
Ten of the Walking Samoans participated in the main 31km race around the island, and nine in the 10 km walk. “There were light showers along the way,” says Siaosi, “but as a group we always walk in the rain in New Zealand, so the conditions suited us nicely.
“Our unsung hero was Fred Ama, the support person in the van. He supported our walkers with refreshments of water, food and heaps of encouragement.
“During the event, we met a lot of people who were very encouraging and supportive of the Walking Samoans and complimented us as a team for what we were doing.
“The feeling afterwards was a great sense of achievement and relief for a feat achieved by all. We attended the prizegiving the day after, and enjoyed great food, entertainment and amazing company.
“It’s still surreal to think that our Saturday morning walks at Aotea Lagoon, Porirua, New Zealand eventuated into walking the Round Rarotonga Race 2019 alongside
our families and friends. We feel blessed.”
The Porirua club are already thinking of doing it again next year, and encouraging other Walking Samoans around the country to experience the race for themselves.
The Walking Samoans would like to thank Radio Samoa, Taeaomanino Trust, Pacific Men’s Health Aotearoa, Porirua RSA, F45 Porirua, Lioness Women, Pacific Health Plus, and the many local community organisations, families and friends who supported their journey through prayers, love and support. Ia saga faamanuia le Atua ia te outou uma. Faafetai faafetai faafetai tele lava.