Whilst we enjoy getting amongst the fun, we also pride ourselves on our operations and your health and safety, so please familiarise yourself with the important info below so you can get the best out of your day.
Round the Bays is all about putting the fun into fun run, so follow these useful tips to help you have the funnest day ever!
1. Plan your travel
Due to multiple road closures and increased traffic, we recommend that you have a plan for getting to and from the event. Leave your car at home and make the most of our free event transport options!
2. Don't miss the start!
Allow plenty of time to get to the start line by 9.00am - you don't want to be left behind! Look out for the start line signage and join the right start group section You'll find your start group details on the front of your bib (Elite, Runners, Walkers, Joggers, Competitive and Non-Competitive Mobility).
3. Be bib ready
Pick up your bib from Bib Collection and pin it to the front of your shirt before you reach the start line. Make sure there's nothing covering your bib so that we can track your race time. Remember to also complete your emergency contact details on the back of your bib.
4. Finish line plans
There will be thousands of people taking part on event day, so arrange a meeting place with your friends and whanau in the finish line area. Somewhere away from the finish chute to help prevent congestion. Also, make a plan to get home using our free event transport.
5. Lost kids (and adults!)
With so many participants on the course, we suggest writing your mobile number on your child's arm and arranging a meeting place in the finish line area in case you get separated. You can also head to the Information Tent at the start line or finish line and inform events staff if someone is missing. We have stringent procedures in place when it comes to reuniting lost kids (and adults!) and will do our best to find your loved ones as quickly as possible.
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, 181 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven Marina, Auckland 1011.
You can collect your team members’ bibs and timing tags. Simply download your Team List from your team's my.roundthebays.co.nz Event Dashboard and bring that with you. Remember to let your team members know that you are collecting their bibs for them!
Our free event shuttles start leaving from The Parade, Vellenoweth Green (finish area) and from Melanesia Road, Madills Farm (hospo sites area) to the start line. Shuttles run until 8:00am.
Bag drop will be open from 7:30am on the corner of Tangihua and Custom Streets
Entertainment and formalities begin at the start area on Quay Street.
Charity cheque presentation and the group warm up at the start area.
The event gets started.
Please arrive at the start line by 9.00am at the latest. Approx start wave times:
After-party on Vellenoweth Green kicks off! Teams head to Madills Farm to celebrate. Live music, food vendors and giveaways. Soak up the good vibes and celebrate completing #RTB25.
First free event shuttle from Long Drive (2 min walk from the finish area) leaves to head back to Britomart.
Running continuously until 2:15pm.
First free event shuttle from Melanesia Road (Madills Farm) leaves to head back to Britomart.
Running continuously until 2:15pm
The celebrations end!
We look forward to seeing you all at the start line again next year!
Have a small bag that you don't want to carry on the course? Take advantage of our gear drop service!
Pre event: Gear drop at the start line is located on the corner of Quay Street and Tangihua Street and open from 7.00am to 9.00am. If you are catching a free event shuttle from St Heliers to the start line, you can also drop your bag at Vellenoweth Green before you board the bus.
Post event: Gear pick up at the finish line is located on The Parade side of Vellenoweth Green in St Heliers.
Please use your own bag for your gear and do not leave valuables inside your bag. The bag should be able to close and be no larger than a shoe bag – no backpacks or handbags please.
Simply tear off the gear tag from the bottom of your bib and attach it to your bag. The gear tag has the same number as your bib so it'll be easy to identify in the gear drop off zone.
Leave your car at home and make getting to and from the event easy as!
We're making it easier for participants to travel to and from Southern Cross Round the Bays. From Britomart/Waitematā station it is a short walk to the start line on Quay St.
With extensive road closures and limited parking the best way to get to and from Southern Cross Round the Bays is by public transport. Early morning services will run across all bus and rail services* to help you get to the start line.
Travel on public transport is covered for participants and volunteers on all AT bus and rail transport services from the first service until 5.00pm. Just show your race bib or volunteer pass to transport staff when boarding. Do not tag on/off or you will be charged.
To the start line
- North Shore - take the NX services to Britomart/Waitematā station
- West Auckland - bus services or WEST rail line to Britomart/Waitematā station
- South Auckland - bus services or SOUTH rail line to Britomart/Waitematā station
From the event
- Take the FREE event buses back to Britomart/Waitematā sttaion from LONG DRIVE or MELANESIA ROAD
- Buses will be on frequent rotation back to Britomart/Waitematā station and from there you can connect to trains or buses (FREE with your bib) to get you home
- Keep in mind that these buses will be diverted while road closures are in place, so plan ahead and please be patient as this trip may take longer than expected
*Conditions apply. Offer excludes ferry services and Howick & Eastern buses. Applies for travel on Sunday 8 March 2026 from start of timetabled services until 5:00pm.
From St Heliers - details coming soon ....
From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...
From St Heliers - details coming soon ....
From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...
Parking
As road closures and parking restrictions will be in place at the start and finish areas we recommend that you plan ahead for any parking or drop offs/pick ups.
Free event shuttles
As well as free transport on AT buses and trains, we’ll be running free event shuttles between the start and finish areas - simply show your bib to the event staff at the pick up zone for your free ride. Please note there will be wait times at peak periods for the shuttles back, so don’t rush. Sit back, enjoy a drink, some food and soak up the entertainment, you will have earned it!
Pre event shuttles
- Free event shuttles depart from The Parade, Vellenoweth Green (finish area) and from Melanesia Road, Madills Farm (hospo sites area) to the start line.
Post event shuttles
- Free event shuttles depart from Long Drive (2 min walk from the finish area) to Britomart.
- Free event shuttles depart from Melanesia Road (Madills Farm) to Britomart.
E-scooters
We have teamed up with Flamingo Scooters to help get you home. Enjoy 20 minutes of ride time for FREE with our dedicated promo code. Scooters will be parked up for your convenience at key locations (subject to availability).
There will be several temporary road closures and parking restrictions during the event. To avoid any delays, we highly recommend that you plan your travel and allow for extra time.
Road restrictions will start to be enforced from 4.00am on Sunday 8 March along the course.
Check back closer to the event for more information.
* Subject to change
Check out the course map so you're fully prepared on the day.
Find your start group and starting point on Quay Street.
See you at the finish line at Vellenoweth Green in St Heliers.
Find out where to hop on our post event shuttle buses.
Here's how to get to Madills Farm for your team's after- party.
We make it easy for all ages and fitness stages.
Make Round the Bays even more memorable with our official 2026 event merch.
Still got a few questions? Head over to our FAQs page to get all the information you might need.
