12th Annual Club Meeting • Marathon Globetrotters

— Nukualofa, Tonga, Oceania

TAWS Tonga Marathon
Friday, August 22, 2025
Nukualofa, Tonga
Oceania

2025 TAWS Marathon in the Kingdom of Tonga

Saturday August 23, 6:00 am

The 12th AGM will be held in the Kingdom of Tonga. Karen Michelsen is the sponsor.

TAWS Tonga Marathon August 23, 2025 6 AM, 7.5 hour time limit, negotiating for a longer time

Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/TO/Nukualofa/TAWSTongaMarathon

MG Annual meeting date will be August 22, 2025, time and location to be determined, most likely near host hotel.

The Kingdom of Tonga is made up of more than 170 South Pacific Islands. The main island, Tongatapu is protected by lagoons and limestone cliffs. There are plantations, beach resorts and a large coral historic gate called Ha’amonga ‘a Maui. It is the only Pacific nation not to be colonized. They have their own monarch. See the link for other interesting fun facts.

https://tongapocketguide.com/10-fun-facts-about-tonga

Marathon Event – TAWS (Tonga Animal Welfare Society) Tonga Marathon

TAWS is a non profit organization run by volunteers. The marathon and shorter distance (21.1km, 10km, 5km) races are their annual fundraising event, to raise money to buy medications and treatments for dogs and cats and to help subsidize the costs to locals. There is no fulltime vet in Tonga.

It will be the fifth anniversary of the marathon. Organizers are planning to make it special.

The marathon occurs during the peak tourist season (where there is a shortage of flight and accommodations) so once you decide you are definitely coming, make reservations.

The location of the event is on the east side of the island. There is no accommodation within 2 kms of the start line. It is best to stay in the capital and then travel to the start. Karen will be working on a possible shared transportation and other solutions to get to the start and return.

The start and finish of the Marathon will be at Tonga’s most significant landmark – Ha’amonga’a Maui Trilithon. It is a mysterious 11th-century coral stone gate made up of three large slabs, weighing several tons.

Brief details of race

flat and warm with a 7.5 hour time limit, still negotiating a longer time

start time is at 0600

start is a 40 minute from the hotel area

finishers receive a finisher medal.

can purchase a race t-shirt.

post race there is a BBQ and food is available for purchase (since there are no cafes close by)

can sign up until the day of the race

no mid race cut off times or sweeper

Things to Know about Tonga

Official Currency – Pa’anga (TOP)

The approximate exchange rate for $100 USD is equivalent to 235.96 TOP

Official Language – Tongan but many people speak English

Population – 107,773 (2023)

Security Risk – no extra requirements

Weather – August is the dry season and temperatures are in the mid 80sF or 30C

How to Travel to Tonga

Fly to one of these countries first Australia, Fiji or New Zealand before taking the flight to Tonga

Entry – passport should be good for 6 months and have an exit plane ticket

Covid Testing/ Vaccination – Not required

Yellow Fever – Not required

Proof of Travel Insurance – Not required

VISA – may be required (36 countries can get a free visa on arrival). Many other countries have an agreement where they do not need a visa. Please check.

Transportation: Cost of transport from the airport to Hotel will be $46 TOP (inclusive of GST) per person per one way.

must be prebooked prior to arrival

there are no trains, the buses do not have a schedule and the taxis are not consistent

At this time a shuttle to the Marathon race is not arranged. It is during the peak of their whale swim season and shuttles will be allocated to Airport transfers and Whale swim transfers.

Driving: cars are driven on the left side and at low speed, similar to Samoa where 30km/hour is considered speeding

Host Hotel –Tongan International Dateline Hotel

This is the only 4 star hotel in the country. It is located in the capital Nuku’alofa. It has a range of dining options and high-speed internet in every room. It is within walking distance of the major attractions and shopping. Below is the group rate for the hotel:

Superior King: $409 TOP per night
Superior King with Balcony: $464 TOP per night
Ocean View Queen: $554 TOP per night

To proceed with the booking at the group rate, they will need the following details:

Full name and number of people in the room, including their names.
Room types.
Contact information (email or WhatsApp number).
Total number of nights (check-in and check-out dates).
Total number of rooms required.
Country they are traveling from.
Flight details.
Purpose of visit (business or leisure).

Email hotel accommodation request to Maketalena Ngahe

Reservations, Tanoa International Dateline Hotel

resdateline@tanoahotels.com

Distance of Attractions from Host Hotel

Talamahu Market – 0.5 km / 0.3 mi

Basilica of St Anthony of Padua – 1.1 km / 0.7 mi

Royal Palace of Tonga – 1.1 km / 0.7 mi

Centenary Chapel – 1.3 km / 0.8 mi

Royal Tombs – 1.3 km / 0.8 mi

St Mary’s Cathedral – 1.5 km / 1 mi

Interisland Ferry Terminal – 2.2 km / 1.4 mi

Ancient Tonga – 3.5 km / 2.2 mi

Vaiola Hospital – 4.1 km / 2.6 mi

Tongan National Centre – 4.3 km / 2.6 mi

Flea Market – 4.3 km / 2.7 mi

Halafuoleva Beach – 11.7 km / 7.3 mi

Mapu’a ‘a Vaca Blowholes – 14.9 km / 9.3 mi

Captain Cook’s Landing Place – 18.7 km / 11.6 mi

Ha’atafu Beach – 21.6 km / 13.4 mi

The nearest major airport is Nuku’alofa (TBU-Fua’amotu Intl.) – 22.2 km / 13.8 mi

Other Hotels (below are 3 star hotels)

Simon’s Place,

House of Tonga,

Meida Hotel

EXPO

to be decided but probably at the host hotel

ACTIVITIES

Tourist Center

Friends Tourist Center and Booking Agency is conveniently located in the center of Nukualofa right next to Friends Café on Taufa’ahau Rd. The center has a an internet service and the friendly well informed staff that will be able to assist with bookings and information on all toursit activities in the kingdom. Don’t forget to check out the souvenirs while you are there. Friends Island Tours departs Daily with an experienced guide giving you a well informed commentary of the sites on Island of Tongatapu.

Hibiscus Tours – situated inside the Hotel next to the reception and can help guest with activities to do during your stay in Tonga, from swimming with whales (July to November), Land Tours, Cultural Shows and just showing the best of what Tonga has to offer.

Souvenir Shopping

The Tongan arts and handicrafts are made using techniques passed down through generations of Tongan craftspeople. Most shops will have craftsmen on site so you can see for yourself how they do it: bone carving, wood carving, basket making and fine weaving. Probably the most famous local craft is the making of Tapa, a decorative bark cloth painted with traditional symbols and designs. Tapa is usually offered as a gift of respect at weddings, births and funerals.

Most shops will be open between 8.30 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday morning between 8 am and 12 noon.

Swimming with Humpback Whales

this activity will need to be booked well in advance.

It’s one of the only places in the world where you can legally swim with humpback whales. The surrounding Pacific Ocean of Tonga’s 170 islands becomes a mating and calving ground for humpback whales between July and October. Currently, I am seeing if we can get a group rate.

Anahulu Cave – The Underground Swimming Pool

These are limestone caves with fresh water to swim in. Situated in the village of Haveluliku on the Eastern Side of Tonga and only about a 30 minute drive from Nuku’alofa it’s a must see.

Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes

Fishing Pigs

After you round the corner from the Royal Palace walk about 1km and keep an eye out for Tonga’s famous fishing pigs! When the tide is out, you may see these fishing pigs on the beach searching for seafood. Word is they taste saltier than their land-based pigs.

Ha’amonga’a Maui Trilithon

This mysterious 11th-century stone arch weighs about 12 tons and is made up of three large slabs. The start and finish of the marathon will be at this site.

Other Marathons in Oceania

August 2, 2025 Taupo, New Zealand

https://www.taupomarathon.co.nz/marathon

August 3, 2025 – Sunshine coast Marathon, Australia