Sāmoa Events-Apia​

Tom Zawalnyski, 25, from Perth, Australia, has won the 2025 Sāmoa International Marathon with a time of 3 hours, 47 minutes, and 34 seconds.

“It’s a bit slower than I was aiming for,” Tom said after the race, “but I’m still really happy with the result. The humidity was a big factor — very different from what I’m used to coming out of Perth and the Australian winter.”

Despite the conditions, Tom said he enjoyed the experience. “The first 30 km felt great, really comfortable. It got a bit tough after that, but overall I really liked the race.”

This was Tom’s first full marathon, marking the beginning of his marathon journey. “You always remember your first marathon — and it’s nice that mine was here in Sāmoa.”

One highlight for Tom was the dedicated support vehicle provided to each marathon runner. “That’s something quite unique — it worked really well for me. At one point, I even got some ice from someone in the truck, which really helped.”

Tom spent the week leading up to the race preparing in Apia. “The Vaea Hotel was a very nice place to stay — they looked after me well and were really pleased to be hosting a champion I think,” he said.

Tom’s running community in Australia has been following his journey closely. He’s expecting the race — and his victory — to be mentioned in an upcoming podcast they produce.

Congratulations, Tom!

Thirty-eight runners and walkers of all ages gathered on a warm Saturday morning, March 29, for one of Samoa’s most scenic and exhilarating races—the Falefā Falls 10 km Run.

Held just 26 km east of Apia, this out-and-back course challenged participants with rolling hills, stunning views of Falefā Bay, and a peaceful yet demanding route. Shorter distances of 6 km and 4 km catered to varying fitness levels.

The course, framed by ocean vistas and mountain landscapes, offered an unforgettable experience. As runners progressed along the gradual climb, they were rewarded with breathtaking coastal panoramas below and beyond, and lush greenery all around.

With minimal traffic, the event provided the perfect balance of serenity and intensity. The 5 km ascent tested endurance, while the return was a welcome reward aided by gravity. 

The start of the race was held up by  a wayward and obstinate bovine who refused to mooove and blocking the run course on the narrow mountain road. After some cowjoling by the owner, the animal hoofed it aside to let the race pass. 

More than securing line honours, completing the demanding course was the goal for all. At the end, Stuart Young and Elizabeth Helm led the pack  in the 10 km race, finishing as first male and female runners. Other winners were Soraya Jayne and James - 6 km, and Natalie Moore and Jared Willains in the 4 km distance.

Stuart has a strong history with this race, having competed in it multiple times. The last time he participated, in 2016, his wife Mel walked the 4 km event while heavily pregnant with their first child. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, a US Peace Corp Volunteer based in Falelatai, is experiencing her first run in Falefā.

The Sāmoa Run Series continues on Saturday, April 26, with a flat course along the beautiful villages of the South Coast, running between Maninoa in Si'umu and Vaie'e, Safata. This leg of the series features three distances with the longer distance of 12 km, an out-and-back course.

The ultimate goal of the series is to help runners prepare for the Sāmoa International Marathon on June 14.

Here's the link to run results. 

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What a spectacular day it was for this year’s harbour crossing across the mighty Manukau! A swim in waters where many fear to tread.
The course was set from Taumanu Reserve in Onehunga to the Manukau Yacht and Boat Club at Kiwi Esplanade in Māngere Bridge.
Swimmers faced a true test of endurance and resilience, tackling the challenging conditions brought on by the biggest tide of the month. Though short in straight-line distance at 1.7 km one way, this is the most technical swim on our register. Today, it proved even more demanding than in past years due to the 1.41-meter king tide.
Thankfully, the weather was perfect—a slight easterly breeze, a hot summer day, and great visibility on the water.
The single crossing from Māngere to Onehunga was timed for one hour before high tide, which meant the double crossing had to start 45 minutes earlier so that all swimmers could return together to Taumanu Reserve. This timing follows the successful formula of past swims on a neap tide.
Six swimmers took on the double crossing—a total of 3.4 km, plus an additional 300 meters (or more) dictated by the current.
The first leg to Māngere proved slow and demanding due to the strong cross-current. However, the return to Taumanu Reserve was a completely different story—swimmers finished 15 to 20 minutes faster, with the current spreading them wide apart in the middle. Regardless, everyone emerged with great weekend stories to take back to the office on Monday.
For those completing the single crossing from Māngere, the incoming tide provided great assistance but also presented its own challenges.
First to complete the double crossing was Gary Seaman, who was quick enough to cut through the tide without leaving a large arc trail behind him. In the single crossing, James Willoughby finished first, with Shane Chubb and Skylar Orr following second and third.
Sunday’s swim brought plenty of action to this usually quiet part of the Manukau Harbour. The yacht club held its club race at the same time, adding to the spectacle on the water.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers! A heartfelt thank you to Gregory Dunning, Gavin Tasker, and Peter van Kuyk on kayaks, as well as Chris Jackson on the Gemini RIB. Your dedication ensures these swims happen safely and successfully, and we are immensely grateful for your contributions.
Here’s to another unforgettable Manukau Harbour crossing—where determination meets the tide, and every swimmer emerges victorious!

Results link here

Event photos link here.

On Thursday, March 27, the Ocean Swim Club – Ōrewa marked the conclusion of its final Thursday evening swim of the season.

For the past twelve weeks, since early January, the club has gathered at Ōrewa North every Thursday evening to enjoy the open water and foster a love for ocean swimming.

The series catered to a diverse group of participants, with adult swimmers tackling a set course, tailored to individual fitness levels and abilities.

Adding to the excitement, the club introduced a Kids Swim Run event, which provided young swimmers with a safe and enjoyable introduction to ocean swimming and multi sports.

The children swam in shallow waters close to shore, where they could always touch the ground, while parents walked alongside them to provide encouragement and support.

The Thursday evening swim series will now take a seasonal break. However, swimmers will remains active during the colder months, shifting focus to group swims that continue through winter. 

Now officially registered as Ocean Swim Club Manatōpū Inc., the club’s leadership includes President Mike Mander, who envisions a welcoming space for swimmers of all levels. "Our goal is to provide a social and fun experience for everyone—no matter your age or ability—to get out there, get fit, and have fun."
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Looking ahead, the Ocean Swim Club is enthusiastic about expanding its reach and welcoming even more swimmers to experience the joy of ocean swimming. The club aims to create more opportunities for individuals and families to connect with the sea, build confidence in open water, and cultivate a supportive swimming community on the Hibiscus Coast and the greater city of Auckland.

​The next major event is the club championships on the last Sunday of April. New members and social swimmers are encouraged to stay connected for future updates.

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Hamilton medical doctor Lillian Gray was crowned the Women’s Champion in the 8th Tour of Sāmoa. The cycling road show over a week covered both islands, Upolu and Savai’i. The spectacle is the biggest cycling event in the country each year since 2014.

In the women’s tour, nine riders competed for the coveted pink jersey, equivalent of the men’s yellow jersey for the tour leader.

Lillian secured the women’s pink jersey on day one at the end of the first stage. She maintained the lead throughout the week despite giving away two stages. One each to Glynis and Ella.

Lillian is seen here enjoying the winning moment with 2nd-placed finisher Glynis Te Maipi-Kemp and Cahterine Moran who finished third.

Te Maipi-Kemp was the 2023 women’s champion. She collected a stage win this time but the pace of the tour, for men and women was elevated to a new level this year.

The women’s tour is a big feature of the Tour of Sāmoa. The Sāmoa tour is one of very few cycling tours in the world where the women ride the same course as the men’s tour.

For the first time, three Samoan women riders also completed the tour. Vicky Cairns (Auckland), Ella Simanu (Auckland) and Patricia Brooks (Town Clock Racing, Sāmoa Cycling) also finished the tour. It’s the first tour for Ella and Patricia while Vicky rode the tour in 2023.

Three other Sāmoan riders rode part of the tour, cousins Graceshalom Ta’aitōfaga and Maria Brooks (Town Clock Racing). Pa’ulua Toma (Itū o Tane Club) added to the success of the tour by representing Savai’i in the Time Trial on day three of the tour. Maria and Patricia Brooks were earlier this year crowned Oceania Mountain Bike medallists, 2nd and third, at the Oceania MTB Championships in Brisbane.

Lillian is presented the Women’s Trophy and Queen of the Mountain plate by District Court Judge Leota Raymond Schuster at the tour prizegiving at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel.


Below - District Court Judge Leota Raymond Schuster with Patricia Brooks, Grace Ta’aitōfaga and Maria Brooks. Photo ScottieTPhoto

​Article by Seti Afoa

The 2024 Negative Split Carbon (NSC) Tour of Sāmoa was officially launched in Auckland last week. The tour is a six-day road cycle race around Upolu and Savai’i managed by Sāmoa Events and supported by Sāmoa Cycling.

The gathering on Thursday evening was hosted by NZ Cycling icon Gordon McCauley at the GMC Cycling store in Silverdale. Gordon rode the Tour of Sāmoa last year with his wife Pam. He was so impressed with the country and the tour that he is bringing back a bunch of mates for this year’s tour.

Gordon is a Commonwealth medallist in the individual time trial. He has won the men’s NZ road race championships a record five times and the NZ time trial championships three times. At 51 years of age, McCauley is still competitive but ultimately fell two back on the 2023 tour behind Andrew Westgarth who won the men’s tour and Sāmoa representative Bena Simanu.

McCauley signed up for the 2024 tour as soon as the open sign was up. “I had so much fun last year that I wanted to come back.”

” A big plus for me in the Tour of Sāmoa is there is no pressure for me to perform unlike at the Tour of Southland where I am expected to be up the front even though I am now entering my 50’s.”

If the 2023 tour was a speed up from previous tours, the2024 version looks to be even quicker. Early comments from those in the know looking at the list of new entrants, this year’s tour will be the fastest yet. The influence of McCauley is giving the tour  a big boost and attracting faster riders like Stuart Holder, a top GMC rider.

A major highlight of this year’s tour is the return of 80% of last year’s riders, including champions Westgarth (Auckland) and women’s champion Glynis Te Maipi-Kemp (Kapiti Cycling Club).

Westgarth was the fastest rider on the tour last year. He won the yellow jersey on the first day and never relinquished it. But even he can read the room and Westgarth has resigned the yellow jersey to someone else this year. Too bad for Andrew, a great sport, he will still have to don the yellow jersey for stage 1 of the first day. The handover ceremony follows at the end of that stage at Lalomanu - or is he pulling wool? Time will tell.

An unknown feature of the tour is the entry of Swiss rider Christoph Friedli. Although he has posted impressive results with the Hamilton Cycle Club this year, he remains a relative unknown in the cycling circles down under. Friedli is bringing a wingman indicating a tactical approach to the racing.

According to McCauley, he is a further four spots back from 2023 in placing this year on current entries.

The Info evening was attended by 25 people instore and more on the live link. Tour director Seti Afoa was present at the presentation as well as tour sponsor Negative Split Carbon director Chris Dunn. Chris is a regular competitor in Sāmoa Events races. He won the Sāmoa Swim Series (SSS) in 2019 and the Warrior Race Beat the Heat distance in the same year. Chris finished second in SSS in 2018.

The 2024 tour is a sellout at 50 riders with a large number of supporters joining the tour. The tour is staying at the following accommodations: Tanoa Hotels, Stevensons Manase, Tanu Beach Fales, Savai’i Lagoon Resort, Vaimoana and Vaisala Hotels, Amoa Resort, Le Rosalote and Le Alaimoana Hotel.

The tour has been the premier cycling event in the country since 2014. This year’s tour will kick start with a street race Criterium (Crit) in Apia on Saturday 17th August.

As a former NZ Criterium champion himself, McCauley is looking forward to showcasing his sprinting skills against tour riders and local riders. The Criterium might be the one event he can win - time will tell.

Local Riders - this year’s tour will field the biggest local field yet. In total, there are 12 Sāmoan riders enrolled on the tour, eight local riders and four from Aotearoa New Zealand. Local riders include tour veteran Wally Collins, and Oceania MTB medallists Maria Brooks and Patricia Brooks, Simon Brooks, Tonu’u Ollie Seumanufagai and three riders from Itū o Tane to be selected.

Sāmoa Events is subsidising all local entries. The four overseas Sāmoan riders are Galumalemana Rona Simanu, Bena Simanu and Vicki Cairns (2023 tour). Ella Simanu joins her dad and brother on the tour. Bena and Vicki were podium finishers in the 2023 tour, second and third respectively in the men’s and women’s tours, no mean feat in the competitive field that was 2023,

Article by Seti Afoa

Article by Seti Afoa

As races go, the South Coast Run was an honest one. It looked friendly but with a sting in the tail. The friendly part was the first half of the race, heading away from the sun and more downhill than up.

Then as the runners turned around to head back to the venue at Maninoa, the sun shone full and bright on already hot brows. There was no escaping it, nor the heat bouncing off the black tar. Getting to the finish fast was the only way to deal with the sauna-like conditions.

It was particularly hot everywhere in the country today.

Add the 500m climb to the finish meant the runners knew they were in a real run to look back on with satisfaction.

Thirteen runners turned up for the first race of the series. This was a good outcome; we were expecting fewer.

In the main race, five Tanoa Hotel Sāmoa runners contested the 12 km distance. Khalida Cox was the sole woman runner. She gave a great account of herself, finishing second overall and ahead of four male runners.

Benson Hunt of team Tanoa was first across the line. Tanoa General Manager Jay Krishna was also in the 12 km line-up where he finished fourth.

In the 6 km race, Thomas Fania was first across the line. Jake Henshaw and Geri Furness of the Australian High Commission were happy to run the 4 km distance. Joining them was Monita Krishna of team Tanoa.

Khalida Cox is preparing for the full marathon race in July. Today’s run was good preps for that race

The next run in the series is on 15 June at Falefā Falls. Distances on offer are 10 km, 6 km and 4 km.

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Looking back to 2014

Photo: Ruth Mariñosa, Samuel Muir-James, Jessica Campbell, Melissa Donaldson at the start of the swim at Mulifanua, Upolu – Samoa Events
 
On August 7th, four swimmers Ruth Mariñosa, Samuel Muir-James, Jessica Campbell and Melissa Donaldson successfully completed the crossing of Apolima Strait in Sāmoa. It is the first time in four years the swim has been completed. 

The Strait is a 22.3 km stretch of water between the islands of Upolu and Savai’i.

Mariñosa and Muir-James attempted the crossing a few months earlier in May which was abandoned due to heavy seas.
 
Mariñosa, a Spanish national living in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand was the first to cross the finish line at Sālelologa, Savai’i.

Muir-James now adds Apolima Strait to his other ultra swim achievements, Cook Strait and Lake Taupō in Aotearoa, NZ. His next goal is to swim Foveaux Strait to complete the NZ Triple Crown.

Jessica Campbell from Leigh in New Zealand had a great swim. She is the fourth UK national to swim Apolima Strait. 

Melissa Donaldson was guided by marathon swim Master Coach Tracey Baumann on the kayak. Husband Geoff was also on the paddle assisting with the transfer of nutrition from the support boat to Melissa.

Donaldson is a director and coach at At One Swimming in Brisbane Australia.

On the day of the swim, weather conditions got better as the swim progressed. Rolling seas on the entrance to Sālelologa harbour made the final approach interesting for supporting vessels that included the Sāmoa Maritime Police Nāfanua rescue boat with Police divers onboard.

Mariñosa, Muir-James, Campbell and Donaldson are the 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th swimmers to swim Upolu to Savai’i.

The next Apolima Strait is Wednesday 1st May 2024. Entries are now open.
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There is also a four-person teams’ relay on Saturday 3rd August at the end of the Sāmoa Swim Series 2024.
 
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Article by Seti Afoa

​Tour of Samoa welcomes the exciting new partnership with Negative Split Carbon as the naming rights sponsor for the 2023 tour. It is the first time in the seven-year history of the tour to partner with an offshore company.

The relationship between the tour and Negative Split Carbon was first formed in 2018 when Oceania GM Chris Dunn travelled to Samoa with his wife Rachel to compete in the Samoa Swim Series, a sister event to the tour. 

Chris and Rachel enjoyed their Samoa experience so much that they were back the next year. Chris won the Samoa Swim Series and Pacific Open Water Championship in his second year, and also won the Warrior Race Beat the Heat standard distance triathlon. 

In 2020, the Dunn’s invested in Negative Split Carbon Oceania and became the distributors for the region. Negative Split Carbon was founded in New Zealand in 2018 and specialises in Carbon wheels for road, triathlon, gravel and cross-country cycling. ​

The opportunity to be a commercial partner with the tour fits with Chris’ love of triathlon and cycling, establishing a new Bike wheel business and competing in Samoa.      

“We are very excited to be partnering with the Tour of Samoa in 2023. In my opinion, it’s the only true tour in the South Pacific because riders get to see the whole country throughout the course of the event. NSC's mission is to make carbon wheels more accessible for riders so partnering with an inclusive and accessible event like the Tour of Samoa is a perfect fit. Most riders only get to watch tour racing on TV or from a roadside. Having a tour event, open to all riders creates an incredible experience that we can’t wait to be part of."
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“It’s going to be hard decision for us this year to choose between competing in the SSS and the tour. We’ve been involved as competitors in a number of events hosted by Seti and Samoa Events over the past 5 years and continue to come back year after year for the warm Samoan hospitality, incredible scenery and camaraderie amongst the athletes. The most difficult decision every year, is deciding which event to do because they’re all world class.” said Chris. 
 
Tour director, Seti Afoa, welcomes the opportunity to work with NSC.
“I like Chris’ energy and positive worldview. He understands what we are doing in Samoa. The fact he loves competing here is an added bonus.” 

“He also knows the market, not only the people in the multisport market but also the equipment needed to do well riding the tour or competing in Warrior in Samoa.” 

The Tour is an exciting friendly competition for men and women riders of all abilities. Notable from the first tour were the long-term friendships made in any tour of Samoa. This year’s tour will be no exception. 
 
Tour Schedule 
9 August, 24-Hour Challenge 
12 August, Apia Road Race, Criterium 
14-19 August, Tour of Samoa 
18 August, Savai’i 180
This Press Release was written by Samoa Events.

Tour champions 
Men 
2014, Christian Wengler
2015, Christian Wengler
2016, Tim Robertson
2017, Brendon Madden-Smith
2018, Brendon Madden-Smith
2019, Christian Wengler 

Women
2015, Rebecca Marley
2016, Rebecca Marley
2017, Rebecca Marley
2018, Nicki Sutherland
2019, Dianne Rankin 

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