A group of runners poses for a photo at the finish line of a race event. Some participants are wearing race numbers and medals. A few other runners and spectators are seen in the background. The atmosphere is festive, with banners and flags around the area.
Christchurch/Pre Race
Christchurch

Pre Race

Sunday 30 March
Enter the race

All those useful things to know before your race

Whether you’re planning to walk, run or roll your way from the estuary to New Brighton Pier, here are some pre-race tips to get you race ready!

A group of ladies in sports clothing laughing together
*No bibs will be mailed. ALL bibs must be picked up from Bib Collection.
Bib Collection location

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, 181 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven Marina, Auckland 1011.

Bib Collection opening hours
  • Thursday 29 February - 12.00pm to 7.00pm (corporate teams only)
  • Friday 1 March - 8.00am - 7.00pm (all participants)
  • Saturday 2 March - 8.00am - 4.00pm (all participants)
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Team Bibs

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!

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No bibs will be posted out. ALL bibs must be picked up from Bib Collection.

Getting your bib

Just bring along your confirmation email with the QR code included. This will be sent to you during race week. No bibs will be posted out. However, you can pick up someone else's bib on their behalf.

Bib Collection location

Majestic on Durham, 189 Durham Street South, Christchurch Central

Bib Collection Opening Hours:

  • Friday 20 February- 8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Saturday 21 February - 8:00am - 4:00pm
Parking

There will be limited paid parking near to the Bib Collection venue .

Team bibs

If you’re the team manager, you can pick up your team members’ bibs and timing tags from Bib Collection if you have selected to do so when you created your team online. Please bring a copy of your Team List with you and let your team members know that you are collecting bibs on their behalf.

All of your team members must sign up BEFORE 5.00PM on Friday 21 March if their bibs are to be included in the team pack that you are picking up. Otherwise, they will need to pick up their own bib from Bib Collection.

Temporary road closures and parking restrictions

Don't miss the start! Make a plan before you leave home on event day.

There will be several temporary road closures and parking restrictions during the event. To avoid any delays, we strongly recommend that you plan your travel and allow for extra time.

Check our Race Day page for more information closer to the event.

Race Day

Gear drop

Have a small bag that you don't want to carry on the course? Take advantage of our gear drop service!

Pre event: There will be a bag drop off at the Anytime Fitness car park on Ferry Road from 7.00am - 9.45am.

Post event: There will be a collection point at the southern end of Thomson Park.

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.

Create a team

Three cities. Three courses. Three ways to bring your team together.

Are you looking to create a team for Round the Bays 2026? Whether you’re a workplace looking to bond, a fitness club wanting to compete against each other or a group of friends keen to fundraise for a good cause, your team can now sign up to the Round the Bays Series.

Take part in 3 locations across the country - Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Start rallying the troops, create your team and join the 1600+ other teams taking part in NZ’s largest fun run series.

Create a team

Hospitality Packages

Celebrate with your team when you cross the finish line!

Book a Hospitality Package, share stories and sweaty high-fives! Round the Bays is the ultimate team building event and our Hospitality Packages offer the perfect way for you all to come together and celebrate your achievements.

Choose a Hospitality Package to suit your team’s needs. Our Whetū, Rā and Maunga packages include a covered marquee site, whilst our Whenua Package includes an open grass site (no marquee or equipment). Book enough sites to accommodate your team members. We don’t want anyone to miss out!

Be the team hero and secure your after-party package today!

Hospitality Packages

Free event buses

Leave your car at home and make getting to the event easy with our free event buses!

Simply show your bib to the event staff before you board the bus and enjoy your free ride! Due to multiple road closures, there will be very limited parking at the start line and finish line areas.

‍Pre-race: We are running free event buses to the start line from Christchurch Bus Exchange on the corner of Lichfield and Colombo Street. All buses will be leaving from Bay 8 from 7.00am - 9.00am.

Post-race: We are running free buses from Bowhill Road/Thomson Park to the Christchurch Bus Exchange from 10.30am - 2.00pm.

Finish line photos

Capture those epic race day moments on the course and as you cross the finish line!

‍We've teamed up with Marathon Photos once again and they'll be capturing participants smiling and high-fiving as they cross the finish line.

Photos will be available online on the day within seconds of being taken!

Get your photos
A smiling girl wearing a black cap and white shirt proudly shows off a medal labeled "Round the Bays" with the number "3004." She is sitting on the grass with a large tent and several people in the background.

Official merchandise

Make Round the Bays even more memorable with our official 2026 event merch.

Look the part
A group of people, including children and adults, are running in a race. They are wearing colorful outfits and tutus. The background shows a blue inflatable arch marking part of the race, and there are trees and spectators lining the route.

Race day information

Find out all you need to know on the day from the event schedule to wave start times, transport options, course maps and much more.

Race day
Type name of image here
Four individuals stand in a grassy area, celebrating after a race. Three people in white shirts and medals cheer with their arms raised, while one in a red shirt smiles and holds a camera. A child in front holds up a medal, and people and tents are visible in the background.A group of people, including adults and children, walk together on a road by the seaside. The children hold hands and smile, while the adults wave. The background features a view of the ocean and a distant mountain under a cloudy sky. Other people walk nearby.A runner crosses the finish line with arms outstretched in celebration. They are wearing a tank top, shorts, and running shoes. Spectators in the background cheer behind a blue barrier with the Under Armour logo. Trees and parked cars are visible behind the crowd.A smiling family of three, wearing matching white shirts, holds hands while walking on a street during a race event. Many other participants and spectators can be seen in the background under a sunny sky.A group of runners participates in a race. Three women in the foreground wear red tutus and black tops, smiling and holding hands as they run. People run on the road in the background amidst a sunny, scenic environment with greenery and a clear sky.Three runners crossing a blue inflatable arch finish line, holding hands up in celebration. They wear race numbers, athletic clothes, and running shoes. Other participants and spectators are visible in the background, with parts of the cityscape behind them.