WHO ARE WE? NOT YOUR AVERAGE…

Southern Cross Round the Bays isn’t your average fun run - it’s New Zealand’s largest! Our home is the vibrant city of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with the 8.4km course following the Waitematā Harbour’s picturesque coastline. Starting on Quay Street and making your way along the bays, finishing in St Heliers. Every year tens of thousands of people come together to get active, celebrate and raise money for a charity close to their heart.

We are FUN

We don’t take ourselves too seriously and neither should you! We supply the backdrop and entertainment, you bring the colour and life, and together we create one kick ass day.

We bring people together

We bring people from different cultures, workplaces and abilities together in one spectacular mass of colour and pride.

We care about Hauora

We are excited for a healthier, happier NZ and if we can help people get active, then we count that as a win. It’s easier done together, so let us help put the fun into your exercise.

We have charitable spirit

We run for a reason and encourage everybody to do the same! Support a deserving charity by fundraising for them or jump on our bandwagon and share the love towards our official Charity Partner. Make your steps count!

We are Iconic!

Legendary since 1972, we have been the ultimate fun run since ages ago! Don’t get FOMO - make sure you are part of this historical event.

Where did we come from? 52 years of fun.

New Zealand's passion for running was ignited when, against all the odds, two Auckland lads from the same running club stunned the world in Olympic triumphs that put our tiny Pacific nation on the map. Peter Snell in the 800m and Murray Halberg in the 5000m, that arguably gave us the most famous hour of NZ sport.

Thirteen years on from that moment and after a chance trip to witness the Sydney City to Surf event, Colin Kay and Eric Woods, the then President of the Auckland Joggers Club, dreamt up a fun run like no other: ‘Round the Bays’.

The first question was, where to run? The original plan was to start in St Heliers Bay and run around the waterfront into the city. However, traffic authorities vetoed this as stragglers would clog the roads and the central city streets would have to be closed for too long.

It was decided that the event would run in the opposite direction and on 17 March 1972, 12,000 people showed up for the inaugural Round the Bays event.

Since then the core bones have not changed. The Auckland Joggers and now Stuff still push Round the Bays forward. They say numbers peaked to 80,000 in 1982, but these are whispers passed down from generation to generation.

These days Round the Bays boasts over 30,000 participants each year - and that’s growing! We have 18 entertainment acts, over 1,300 teams and a finisher’s medal for all that run, jog or walk the 8.4 kilometres of ridiculous fun and picturesque views.

And now with a Virtual option, you can join from wherever you are in the world - so there really is no excuse!