The Vanuatu Round Island Relay are seeking entries from CoolRunners keen to make a CoolRunning team (or more than one team if enough interest). This involves flying to Vanuatu for a minimum of 4 nights, meeting other CoolRunners, and having a mini-holiday on a tropical island to escape from the mid-winter blues with like minded people, as well as competing in a running event, of course.
The Relay is a challenging 10 person relay race around Vanuatu's main island of Efate and part of Vanuatu's Independence Day Celebrations. The 10 sections of the race are based on landmarks and terrain, shorter hilly sections (the shortest is a hilly 11.6km) and longer flat sections of up to 16km. Road conditions vary from tar sealed to rugged coral & dirt roads, passing through traditional villages, taking in mountain rain forest, crossing crystal clear streams and through coconut plantations. The latter stages of the race take runners along the edge of coral reefs and white sand beaches offering some of the most breathtaking views you'll ever see.
- Basic Information
- Packages include
- Prices in AUS$
- More information on the race
- More information for CoolRunners
- If you are interested ...
Basic Information
- The event is on Saturday 29th July 2006.
- Each year there are about 30 teams entered, most are made up of local runners, but for the last 5 years approx 6 international teams have entered. The relay has been going for many years and relay day is a festival atmosphere on the whole island. The local teams are well trained and very competitive.
- CoolRunning would like to have a team of runners attend, or even more than one team. Ability is not as important as willingness to have a go and be part of a fun long weekend.
- Pricing is for a basic 5 nights/4 days but this can be extended for people keen to stay longer. Competitive rates of course. Flights leave Weds 26th July (evening) and return Monday 31st July (afternoon)
- Flights are with Air Vanuatu who fly from Brisbane or Sydney, but packages are also available from Melbourne. For runners keen to fly from elsewhere, pricing can be quoted.
- 3 accomodation options to suit differing budgets/needs (internet access is available from all hotels and internet cafes in Port Vila, so you don't need to miss anything).
- Non-running Spouses, partners and children are welcome.
- Basic information about Vanuatu is available from Lonely Planet.
- Apart from the race, other strenuous or non-strenuous activities will be arranged to suit, depending on the group. Each person can of course to do their own thing also.
Packages include
| Kevin Tiller, the founder & principal edit of CoolRunning is planning to lead a CoolRunning Australia team to this year's event. Please express your interest in joining us either running or just socialising, here. |
2005 Prices in AUS$
Weds Night 26-Jul to Mon Morning 31-Jul
(Can extend/ Change itinery on request)
| From Sydney | |
| Iririki Island Resort (website) | $ 1450 |
| Le Lagon Hotel (website) | $ 1285 |
| Melanesian Port Vila (website) | $ 1135 |
| From Brisbane | |
| Iririki Island Resort (website) | $ 1500 |
| Le Lagon Hotel (website) | $ 1295 |
| Melanesian Port Vila (website) | $ 1085 |
| From Melbourne | |
| Iririki Island Resort (website) | $ 1575 |
| Le Lagon Hotel (website) | $ 1395 |
| Melanesian Port Vila (website) | $ 1260 |
More information on the race
| - Race website is here (coming soon!). | |
| - Vanuatu Tourism is here. | |
| - Australian Race Pack 2005 | MS-WORD  or PDF  |
| - Relay results 2004 | MS-WORD or PDF |
| - Relay results 2003 | MS-WORD or PDF |
| - Relay results 2002 | MS-WORD or PDF |
| - Details on each leg and course records | MS-WORD or PDF |
| - Course profile | JPG |
| - Relay rules | MS-WORD or PDF |
| - Media Article | Local teams in training for TVL Round Island Relay (30 April 2004) |
More information
| - an article in Island Spirit (Air Vanuautu Magazine) about the event - read article here. |
| - Vanuautu Tourism board page about the event - read website here. |
| - In 2004 a team representing Coolrunning Australia competed - read the report here. |
| - Previous Australians that competed in the event have gathered their experiences were the JumpStart team from Sydney. |
| - Colin Bridge from the ACT wrote a short account of his 2003 exploits and has a photo gallery |
| - Kevin Tiller visted Vanuatu in November 2003 to find out more information about the Round Island Relay. |
| - CoolRunning does has some videos of the race if people want to have a look. |
If you are interested ...
If you are interested in making a booking, or want further details on prices, flights, or vanuatu then you should contact :
Allan Kalfabun
Fiji & Pacific Specialist Holidays
Unit C15, Level 1, Dalgety Square
376-428 Wattle St
Ultimo NSW 2007
*02 9080-1687 ( Direct )
*02 9080-1699 ( Fax )
email akalfabun@pacificholidays.com.au
www.pacificholidays.com.au
If you are interested in the CoolRunners going, or want to know more about CoolRunning's involvement then contact :
CoolRunning
