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 no parking at the start line and limited parking at the 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 from these locations will need to go back onto Ferry Road due to road restrictions in place.
Bag drop and Info Tent
Open at the start line on the corner of Humphreys Drive & Tidal View from 7.30am - 9.45am.
The event gets started at 9.15am
Please arrive at the start line by 9.00am at the latest
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 #RTB26
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 start line located in the car park on the corner of Tidal View and Humphreys Drive from 7.30am - 9.45am. Look for the Mainfreight truck!
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! To avoid delays, we strongly recommend that you make a plan before you leave home on event day.
Make the most of our FREE event shuttles and avoid the road closures and parking restrictions in place. See below.
Take a free event bus! Due to temporary road closures, there will be no parking at the start line and limited parking at the 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!
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 RTB2026. Scooters will be parked up for your convenience at key locations (subject to availability).
There will be several temporary road closures and parkingrestrictions during the event.
To avoid any delays, we highly recommend that you plan your travel and allow for extra time.
Please check the map below for details of the temporary road closures andparking restrictions.
The RTB team would like to thank all residents and businesses for their ongoingco-operation and support of this event.
* All road closures and times are subject to change.
Check out the course map so that 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.
