Two people in pink tutus run on a road during a race or fun run event. Both are smiling and have their arms raised in a celebratory manner. Other participants and spectators can be seen in the background. It's a sunny day with a few clouds in the sky.
Round the bays

About us

We're not your average fun run

Be part of NZ’s funnest fun run series as we embark on our next era: taking our formula for fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland down the coast to Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and across the Strait to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

A group of five women in sportswear walking down a city street during a marathon event. They all wear race bibs and are smiling. Other participants can be seen in the background along with buildings and trees lining the street. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful.Two people posing for a photo at a public event. The person on the left is wearing an orange lobster costume with sunglasses, and the person on the right is dressed in casual sportswear with a lobster hat, colorful lei, and race number 1776. There are other participants in the background.Two women in athletic gear cross the finish line of a race, holding hands and raising their arms in celebration. They are surrounded by cheering spectators and banners that say "Sport Wellington." The atmosphere is jubilant, and both women appear elated.
50 years+

For over 50 years we’ve run events in Auckland, Wellington and now Christchurch.

50k+

In 2025, we'll be bringing together 50,000+ participants of all ages and fitness stages to take part across New Zealand.

$400k+

Fundraising is in our DNA. Money raised will go to our Charity Fundraising Partner, Make A Wish, and charities close to your heart.

All ages and fitness stages

We don’t take ourselves too seriously and neither should you! We supply the backdrop and entertainment, you bring the colour and life, and together we create one kick ass day.

We bring people together

People from different cultures, workplaces and abilities join together in one spectacular mass of colour and pride.

We care about Hauora

Taking part in Round the Bays is a great way to get active, be social and improve your mental health. We count that as a win!

Round the Bays series

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Wellington

8.4km and 21km event
Find out more
Sunday 16 February
An illustration of a bridge over water

Auckland

8.4km event
Find out more
Sunday 2 March
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Christchurch

8.4km event
Find out more
Sunday 30 March
Over 50 years of Round the Bays

We're growing the movement

New Zealand's passion for running was ignited when, against all odds, two Auckland lads from the same running club stunned the world in Olympic triumphs that put our tiny Pacific nation on the map. Peter Snell in the 800m and Murray Halberg in the 5000m, that arguably gave us the most famous hour of NZ sport.

Thirteen years on from that moment and after a chance trip to witness the Sydney City to Surf event, Colin Kay and Eric Woods, the then President of the Auckland Joggers Club, dreamt up a fun run like no other: ‘Round the Bays’.

The first question was, where to run?

An old black and white photo of a huge crowd of people waiting to start one of the first round the bays events
An old black and white photo of smiling children preparing race programmes A black and white photo of a group of laughing and smiling children taking part in one of the first Round the Bays events

Three cities. Three times the fun.

On 17 March 1972, 700 people showed up for the inaugural Round the Bays event in Auckland. Since then participant numbers have soared to over 35,000 in Tāmaki Makaurau, but the core bones have not changed.

Fast forward to 2025 and we're asking all Kiwis to join the movement as we embark on our next era: a Round the Bays series! Taking our formula for fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland down the coast to Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and across the Strait to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Windy Welly here we come! Our namesake for the past 46 years, we can now truly join forces as Stuff Events manages Round the Bays Wellington for the first time in 2025; the largest mass participation event in the Lower North Island.

It doesn't end there! We'll be jumping across Cook Strait to encourage Cantabs and fellow South Islanders to pound the pavement too as we launch the inaugural Round the Bays in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
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Like all of our events, there will be an injection of fun in each location. We may even have a few tricks up our sleeve! Rest assured though, our epic partners and hospitality will be waiting for you with open arms after you cross the finish line.

We provide the entertainment, a finisher’s medal, picturesque views and an unforgettable morning on the course. What’s not to love!

Do one, do two, do all three! We’re super proud that the Southern Cross Round the Bays 2025 fun run series is New Zealand’s largest participation sports event.
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A group of people wearing matching bright green shirts pose enthusiastically with arms raised in front of large green tents on a sunny day. The group looks joyful and united, likely participating in an outdoor event or activity.

Hospitality

Gather your crew and celebrate afterwards just a short walk from each event finish line.

Hospitality packages
Three people wearing orange shirts and blue hats are smiling and distributing bananas at an outdoor event. They stand behind a table with a large box full of bananas. Other event participants can be seen in the background.

Sustainability

Join us as we continue to make improvements to reduce our environmental footprint.

Sustainability
Three individuals are walking during a running event, all smiling and making celebratory gestures. They wear athletic gear with visible race bibs. Other participants are seen in the background, and the setting is a city street with trees and buildings nearby.

Fundraise

Move, groove and make your movement matter. Start fundraising or donate to our Charity Partner, Make A Wish, or a charity close to your heart.

Fundraising
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A group of runners of diverse ages and genders participate in an outdoor race on a sunny day, with two women in the foreground smiling, wearing athletic gear, and waving at the camera. The background shows other participants and trees.Participants, including wheelchair athletes, gather at the starting line of a race on a wet street. They are surrounded by supporters and are poised to start, with buildings and trees in the background.Three people wearing strawberry-themed costumes, including red strawberry hats and matching sleeveless shirts with strawberry prints, pose together outdoors. Two of them wear race bibs. In the background, there are plants and concrete steps.Two people posing for a photo at a public event. The person on the left is wearing an orange lobster costume with sunglasses, and the person on the right is dressed in casual sportswear with a lobster hat, colorful lei, and race number 1776. There are other participants in the background.A group of people wearing firefighter uniforms and helmets pose together on a grassy field. Some individuals are wearing race bibs over their uniforms. In the background, other participants and a couple of children in bright shirts can be seen, along with trees and buildings.People running a marathon on a sunny day. Two runners in the foreground, wearing yellow shirts and shorts, are crossing a wet part of the street, with one holding water bottles and the other raising an arm. Others run in the background past buildings and trees.