An overhead view of the starting line of a race. Numerous runners in colorful athletic gear gather beneath a large inflatable arch that reads "START" in bold black letters against a blue background. The street is filled with waiting participants ready to begin.
Wellington

Race Day

Sunday 15 February

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.

On your marks, get ready ...

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.

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)
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!

Event schedule

6:30AM

21km Half Marathon bag drop and Info tent open for last minute bib pick ups.

7:30am - 8:00AM

7.30am - 8.4km bag drop opens

7.45am - 21km Half Marathon starts

8.00am - entertainment and formalities for 8.4km start

8:30AM - 9:00AM

Group warm up at the start area.

9:15AM

The event gets started.

Please arrive at the start line by 9.00am at the latest. Approx start wave times:*

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

After-party kicks off at the finish line!

Live music, food vendors and giveaways. Soak up the good vibes and celebrate completing #RTB25

10:30AM

First free event shuttles leave the finish line.

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.

Gear drop

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

We'll have a bag drop zone on Cable Street, alongside Waitangi Park and at the finish line at Kilbirnie Park. Please use your own drawstring bag for your gear (change of clothes, lightweight jacket, post race snacks etc).

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.

Transport

Leave your car at home and take public transport to the start line!

From the finish line, we’ll be running free post event shuttles from 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 on the event shuttles 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!

Pre-event shuttles

From St Heliers - details coming soon ....

From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...

Post-event shuttles

From St Heliers - details coming soon ....

From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...

Parking & free event shuttles

Parking options at the start line for participants include:*

- Wakefield car park,
- Wilson Parking 2 Chaffers Street
- Taranaki Street parking
- Care Park 24 Tory Street.

Please note that the Harbourside Sunday Market will be on Barnett Street car park.

We’ll also 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!

* Subject to availability

A pair of teenage girls piggy back one another while handing out water to runners who have just finished a race

Temporary Road Closures and Parking Restrictions*

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.

Check back closer to the event for more information.

The Course and event maps

Official merchandise

Make Round the Bays even more memorable with our official 2026 event merch.

Look the part
A large group of runners participating in a marathon along a road near a coastal area. Colorful vertical sculpture visible on the left side. Background includes residential houses on hills and cloudy sky. Trees and grassy areas line both sides of the road.

Frequently asked questions

Still got a few questions? Head to our FAQs page to find the answer.

Event faqs
Type name of image here
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.