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!
Pre-event buses
There is limited parking at the start line and finish line. Catch the bus 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.
Participant drop off areas
Option 1 - drop off only in the shopping precinct at 1005 Ferry Road, then walk to the start line area.
Option 2 - Kite Lane drop off only.
Please note, any exiting traffic will need to turn left onto Humphreys Drive as road restrictions are in place.
Once participants have been dropped off, please use the traffic light crossing on Ferry Road to enter into the Starting Zone safely.
Bag drop and Info Tent open at the start at the Anytime Fitness car park on Ferry Road from 7.00am - 9.45am.
The event gets started.
Please arrive at the start line by 9.00am at the latest. Approx start wave times:*
* Wave start times subject to change based on participant numbers.
After-party kicks off at the finish line at Thomson Park!
Live music, food vendors and giveaways. Soak up the good vibes and celebrate completing #RTB25
First free event buses leave the finish line from Bowhill Road/Thomson Park to the Christchurch Bus Exchange.
The celebrations end!
We look forward to seeing you all at the start line again in 2026.
Have a small bag that you don't want to carry on the course? Take advantage of our gear drop service!
Pre race: There will be a bag drop off at the Anytime Fitness car park on Ferry Road from 7.00am - 9.45am.
Post race: 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.
Don't miss the start! Make a plan before you leave home on event day and make the most of our FREE event shuttles!
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.
See below for details on our free event shuttles.
From St Heliers - details coming soon ....
From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...
From St Heliers - details coming soon ....
From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...
Take a free event bus! Due to road closures, there will be very limited parking at the start line and finish line.
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 BowhillRoad/Thomson Park to the Christchurch Bus Exchange from 10.30am - 2.00pm.
Simply show your bib to the event staff before you board the bus and enjoy your free ride!
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 22 February along the course. One way traffic will be maintained along the majority of the course, excluding Marine Parade from 7.00am.
Check back closer to the event for more details.
New Brighton
- Marine Parade will be closed between Bowhill Road and Bridge Street to all traffic from 4.00am - 1.00pm. We encourage all residents to exit North New Brighton via Pages Road.
- Bridge Street eastbound lane will be closed. The westbound lane will remain open for eastbound traffic only to exit New Brighton.
- There will be a managed crossing at the Estuary Road and Bridge Street roundabout to support public buses and local residents exiting South New Brighton.
State Highway 74
- The southbound lane on State Highway 74 (Dyers Road) will be closed between Humphreys Drive and Bridge Street. Diversions will be in place, but the northbound lane will remain open at all times.
Ferrymead
- The southbound lane of Linwood Avenue/Humphreys Drive between State Highway 74 and Ferry Road will be closed. The northbound lane will remain open at all times. There will be a managed pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights at Tidal View.
- Tidal View will be closed fully to all traffic and residents during road closures from 6.00am to 11.00am.
- The cycle path on Humphreys Drive and Tidal View will be closed during 6.00am to 11.00am. Diversions will be in place.
Roads will be opened progressively as the roads clear of foot traffic and waste is removed. Safety is paramount.
Approximately from 10.30am, we will have two-way access from Tidal View to State Highway 74. We will endeavour to have two-way traffic on State Highway 74 from 12.00pm and all other affected roads open to two-way traffic from approximately 1.30pm.
* Subject to change
Check out the course map so you're fully prepared on the day.
Find your start group and starting point.
See you at the finish line at Thomson Park.
Find the School Zone at the finish line at Thomson Park.
Pinpoint your hospo site(s) & share the details with your team mates.
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 to our FAQs page to find the answer.
