First a comment on the correct way of writing “the people of Kiribati” in the short form. I found that correct is “I-Kiribati”, (pronunciation: ee-keer-ee-bas”). It is used for male and female, as well as for singular or plural. The “I” in front is a feature of the Gilbertese language, which is the national language of Kiribati. Starting with this narration I’ll use this term.

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On the day of our departure from Butaritari we were pretty busy.

We where ashore already at 0800 or just a bit later to see the race, some people called “Marathon”. We doubt that it is a Marathon. Even a half Marathon would be long distance. But, who never knows.

We docked the tender again at pier like structure as we did the day before and walked towards, what we considered, as the center of the village. The shop with the restaurant appeared to us as the center.

Indeed the lady from the shop knew about it. “It’s in the next village. 15 min away”, she answered my question. Off we took.

When we came closer we saw already flags and other stuff indicating that we are right.

Then we went to the area with the start and finish line. Colorful and big with lots of flags of China Railway First Group or CRFG, which is the abbreviation used.

The background of the stage for the award ceremony carried Chinese and English information “Butaritari Island, 2025 “CRFG CUP” Marathon “

Big boards along the race track showed Chinese and English sentences like, “Running Through Palms and Ocean Breeze, Connecting our Hearts and a Dreams”, “Way to the Future, A Bridge to Our Dreams”, “Every Drop of Sweat, Gleams with the Light of Friendship”, “China-Kiribati Friendship, Forward Together”.

CRFG is the sponsor of the race. From the outfit for the runner including new, bright color running shoes, via plastic plates and cutlery for the meals, to the drinks. Chinese made and Chinese labled, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and Chinese bottled water. With this, Coca-Cola China earned some money.

They also sponsored the prices. For men and women the same prices. For the first runner a motorcycle and the for second and third placed runner, a bicycle were prepared. Useful on this island.

We walked around a bit and a friendly l-Kiribati lady told is we can sit down at a place under large tent. Then another lady, came with drinks. She carried a tray with Chinese Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta. For me it was the first Coca-Cola since years, I don’t even recall when I had the last one. As I was thirsty, I drank it. Until the end of the day I drank several of these drinks. Horrible sugar water with some “kind of taste” making molecules inside. I drank them just to get liquid in my body. Later there was also bottled water available.

The start of the race was delayed because the prominent people, I-Kiribati and Chinese, from Tarawa did not yet arrive.

While waiting, a big breakfast buffet was opened and we were invited eat as well. The food was prepared by local women. It was the full variety of local island food. But there was one very special element in it. Cans of spam like products. A still closed can or two were just placed in bowl of rice. Modern islands food. I took some boiled pumpkin, breadfruit, papaya, a lobster, rice and few noodles with a green vegetable. It was a delicious meal. When I wanted to get some custard as desert it was gone…

With all the VIPs arrived and greeted by others, the race finally started. Time is flexible on the islands. Men and women started together.

Before the runners returned there was a group of women preforming one of the soft looking Polynesia dances. (Kiribati still belongs to the Polynesian cultural area of the Pacific. ) I like to see these dances.

The first runner crossed the finish line after about 40 min, quite some min before the second and third arrived. Then came the first female runner over the finish line.

Many of the runners crossed the finish line in socks. They got rid of the shoes along the race track.

The award ceremony took quite a long time because it needed to be orchestrated for the publicity of the VIPs. There were several events on stage to attest the Chinese-I-Kiribati friendship.

As we were invited to also join for lunch, we did it. Again very delicious local food.

At the same table there sat an I- Kiribati lady who got food and a pair of chopsticks from a Chinese gentleman. When I saw the chopsticks I asked for a pair for me. First he looked very astonished at me but gave also chopsticks. Chopsticks are better eating tools for this kind of food than a plastic spoon. As the I-Kiribati lady sat across the table and fought with her chopsticks I offered her advice. Thereafter, she slowly did it well.

After lunch we thanked again the people to whom we could talk or invited us for food and drink and big farewell.

Always a sad moment.