A large group of runners stands at a starting line, eagerly waiting for a race to begin. They are dressed in athletic wear, and many are wearing race bibs and holding onto the starting tape. Trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.
Auckland/Race Day
Auckland

Race Day

sunday 2 march
Enter the race

All you need to know for race day

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.

Move, groove and make it matter

Please wear your race number on the front of your shirt with nothing covering it so that we can track your race time.

Remember to complete your emergency contact details on the back of your bib and arrange a meeting place at the finish line in case you lose your friends along the course! Writing your mobile number on your kids’ arms is a great idea too.

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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Event schedule

6:45am - 8:30am

Our free event shuttles start leaving from The Parade, Vellenoweth Green (finish area) and from Melanesia Road, Madills Farm (hospo sites area) to the start line. Shuttles run until 8:30am.

Bag drop will be open from 7:30am.

8:00am

Entertainment and formalities begin at the start area on Quay Street.

8:30am - 9:00am

Charity cheque presentation and the group warm up at the start area.

9:15am

The event gets started.

Start Groups will be released in waves as follows:

  • 9:15am - Competitive Mobility, Elite Runners & Runners 
  • 9:30am - Joggers 
  • 9:45am - Walkers & Non-Competitive Mobility
10:00am - 12:30pm

After-party on Vellenoweth Green kicks off! Teams head to Madills Farm to celebrate. Live music, food vendors and giveaways. Soak up the good vibes and celebrate completing #RTB25.

10:30am

First free event shuttle from Long Drive (2 min walk from the finish area) leaves to head back to Britomart.

Running continuously until 2:15pm.

11:30am

First free event shuttle from Melanesia Road (Madills Farm) leaves to head back to Britomart.

Running continuously until 2:15pm

1:00pm

The celebrations end!

We look forward to seeing you all at the start line again next year!

Two runners, a man, and woman, wearing athletic gear and sunglasses, smile and raise their arms in celebration as they near the finish line of a race. Other participants and spectators are visible in the background, creating a lively atmosphere.

Bag drop

Pre-race:
Located on the corner of Quay Street and Tangihua Street. Open from 7:30am - 9:15am on the day of the event. There’s also a bag drop at Vellenoweth Green before you board the bus.

Post race:
Pick up your bag at the finish line on The Parade side of Vellenoweth Green in St Heliers. 

Use a drawstring bag for your gear, no bigger than a shoe bag. Do not leave valuables in your bag. No backpacks or handbags please. 

Wave start times

When you arrive at the start line area on Quay Street, look for your dedicated Start Group section (Elite & Competitive Mobility, Runners, Joggers or Walkers & Non-Competitive Mobility).

To avoid crowd congestion, we’ll be releasing Start Groups in waves.

Please be patient. There’s no need to rush! Your personal start time doesn’t begin until you cross the timing mats at the start line.

bib Colour
Black
Start Group
Elite & Competitive Mobility
Start Area
On the start line opposite Spark Arena
Wave starts
9:15am
bib Colour
Dark Blue
Start Group
Runners
Start Area
From the start line and up to Tapora Street
Wave starts
9:15am
bib Colour
Yellow
Start Group
Joggers
Start Area
From Tapora Street and up to Tangihua Street
Wave starts
9:30am
Colour
Light Blue
Start Group
Walkers & Non-Competitive Mobility
Start Area
Between Tangihua Street and up to Queen Street
Wave starts
9:45am

Transport and free shuttles

As well as free transport on AT buses & trains, we’ll be running free event shuttles between the start and finish areas - simply show your bib to the event staff at the pick up zone for 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!

Pre-event shuttles

From The Parade (Vellenoweth Green) to Commerce Street (start line): 6:45am - 8:30am

From Melanesia Road (Madills Farm) to Commerce Street (start line): 7am - 8:30am

Post-event shuttles

From Long Drive to Britomart: 10:30am - 2:15pm

From Melanesia Road (Madills Farm) to Britomart: 11:30am - 2:15pm

A crowd of people, some in red and blue shirts, gather at an outdoor event on a cloudy day. A man in a red shirt embraces a woman in blue, both smiling. In the foreground, a table is stacked with cups while people mill around in the background.

Hydration

We encourage you to bring your own refillable water bottle on race day. However, there will be water stations at the start area, along the course, at the finish line and at Madills Farm.

The course and event maps

An aerial shot of lots of people running at round the bays
Course Map

Check out the course map so you're fully prepared on the day.

A group of people wait at the start line of a race
Start Map

Get an idea of where your Start Group will begin on the course...COMING SOON

Competitors cross the line at the end of Round the bays. The photo is taken from above looking down towards the finish line
Finish Line Map

Find out more about the finish line area...COMING SOON

A photo of the front of a blue bus
Post Event Buses

Find out where to hop on our post event shuttle buses...COMING SOON

An aerial shot of the event hospo area at round the bays
Getting to Hospo

Here's how to get to Madills Farm for your team's after- party...COMING SOON

A man on a sporty wheelchair dressed in fancy dress crosses the line with a smile at a race event
Accessibility

We make it easy for all ages and fitness stages.

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 2025 merch.

Look the part
A group of six people, including adults and children, pose at an outdoor event. They all wear black shirts with race numbers and medals around their necks. Some of them hold water bottles and snacks. A large tent and trees are visible in the background.

Frequently asked questions

Still got a few questions? Head over to our FAQs page to get all the information you might need.

Event faqs
Type name of image here
A woman runs in a marathon on a city street, wearing a black hijab, gray long-sleeve shirt, black shorts, and white shoes. Other participants run and walk behind her. The street is lined with trees and spectators. Signs and buildings are visible in the background.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.Runners cross the finish line at an outdoor race event. The finish is marked by a blue inflatable arch with trees and spectators in the background. Bright sunlight illuminates the scene, casting long shadows on the pavement.A group of runners of various ages participating in a race. The focus is on a woman in red and a man in yellow. Some wear headphones, hats, and wristbands while running. The background shows more runners and parts of trees and event signage.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.Two children, wearing race bibs and hats, run a race together on a road with other participants in the background. The girl on the left wears a pink outfit and cap, while the boy on the right wears a blue shirt, colorful shorts, and a bucket hat.