Three participants entered the Tonga Aquathon Nationals yesterday, 5 December, involving a 1.8km from the Ocean Pool near Touliki to Pangaimotu Island followed by a 2km run or two laps around the island. Two athletes completed the event in under an hour.

Andrew Emberson and Noelani Day recorded official times in the swim and run category.

Manase Vaoahi kayaked to Pangaimotu and completed the run.

Event Official, Vila Day told Matangi Tonga the distance for the swim was supposed to be 1.5km.

Andrew Emberson completed the swim in 36:21 and the run in 18:39 with a final time of 55:00.

Noelani Day completed the swim in 34:08 and the run in 24:09 with a final time of 58.17.

Vila said the next event will have three categories, including stand-up paddle board (SUP) and run, kayak and run, and run only.

Andrew and Noelani are experienced open ocean and pool swimmers having recently represented Tonga at the Pacific Games.

Both swimmers have also completed Samoa’s Apolima Strait Solo Swim, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere between the islands of Upolu and Savaii.

Andrew and Noelani departed for China today, 6 December, with seven other Tongan swimmers where they will take part in a swim training program over the next two months.