A large number of runners start a running race heading away from the camera towards a row of trees either side of the road
Wellington

Pre Race

Sunday 16 February

All those useful things to know before your race

Whether you’re planning to walk, run or roll your way around picturesque Oriental Bay, here are some pre-race tips to get you race ready ...

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*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)
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!

A group of people, smiling and posing for the camera during an outdoor event. The four individuals in front are wearing matching red tank tops with "TOA." They are surrounded by other participants, with trees and a clear sky in the background.
No bibs will be posted out. ALL bibs must be picked up from Bib Collection.

Getting your bib

Be sure to pick up your bib or team members' bibs from Bib Collection BEFORE race day.

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

Public Trust Hall - 131-135 Lambton Quay, Te Aro, Wellington

  • Friday 13 February - 8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Saturday 14 February - 8:00am - 4:00pm
Parking

There is 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 6 February 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.

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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 here for more information closer to the event.

A group of runners gather at the starting line of a race. The large yellow inflatable archway reads "START" and "Nuku Ora." The background shows a waterfront area with boats, buildings, and a cloudy sky.

Transport

Leave your car at home and make getting to the event easy!

We’ll be running free post event shuttles from the finish line at Kilbirnie Park until 2:00pm.

Buses will go to:

  • Stop 5000 – Courtenay Place Stop A (outside the Paramount Theatre)
  • Wellington Station

Simply show your bib to the event staff before you board the bus and enjoy 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!

A large crowd of enthusiastic people with raised hands gather outdoors on a cloudy day. The scene is vibrant, with individuals of various ages, many wearing casual and sports attire, suggesting a lively public event or gathering. Urban buildings are visible in the background.

Gear drop

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

The start line gear drop zone is open from 6.30am on Cable Street, on the road alongside Waitangi Park. Pick up your gear from the finish line at Kilbirnie 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.

Two marathon runners in yellow shirts high-five under a blue "FINISH" banner as they complete a race. Spectators line both sides of the route, cheering the participants. The sky is partly cloudy, adding to the festive atmosphere of the event.

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!

Four people wearing purple shirts and race bibs pose together on a grassy area at an outdoor event. They are smiling, with an inflatable arch and other participants visible in the background.

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.

A large group of people wearing matching neon green shirts poses cheerfully in front of green and white tents on a sunny day. Some people are standing, some are sitting, and most have their hands raised in excitement. The setting appears to be an outdoor event.

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!

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 large group of runners is gathered at the starting line of a race. The blue archway marking the "START" is prominently displayed. The scene is bustling with colorful attire and the road ahead is packed with participants. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.

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
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A group of runners in athletic gear competes in a marathon on a sunny day. They are running on a paved road flanked by green trees, with some road signs and traffic lights visible in the background. The runners are focused and appear to be mid-race.Two teenage boys  smile at the camera dressed in fancy dress as bananas A group of six enthusiastic individuals dressed in matching black shirts and pink tutus pose together on a road during a race. They are smiling, with some making playful gestures, while other participants can be seen running in the background.Three participants in yellow shirts celebrate with high-fives as they cross the finish line of a race. The finish line banner is blue and white. Spectators line both sides of the dirt track, cheering the runners. The sky is partly cloudy.A group of people is running on a road during a race, featuring a man and two children in the forefront, all with race bibs. The children are smiling and high-fiving, with other runners visible in the background. The atmosphere appears energetic and cheerful.Four runners, wearing white tank tops and black shorts, jog on a paved road during a race. They are jubilant, raising their arms in victory and smiling. Other runners and a race official are visible in the background. The landscape includes greenery and a cloudy sky.