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 7.30am for the Honda Half Marathon or by 9.00am for the 8.4km FUN RUN - 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!
Honda Half Marathon bag drop and Info tent open for last minute bib pick ups
Honda Half Marathon participants to arrive at the start line by 7.30am at the latest
7.30am - 8.4km FUN RUN bag drop opens
7.45am - Honda Half Marathon starts
8.00am - entertainment and formalities for 8.4km FUN RUN start
Group warm up at the start area
The 8.4km FUN RUN event gets started
8.4km FUN RUN participants to arrive at the start line by 9.00am at the latest
After-party kicks off at the finish line!
Live music, food vendors and giveaways. Soak up the good vibes and celebrate completing #RTB26
First free event shuttles leave the finish line
Running continuously until 2:15pm
The celebrations end!
We look forward to seeing you all at the start line again in 2027
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 for Honda Half Marathon participants is open from 6.30am and from 7.30am for 8.4km FUN RUN participants.
The gear drop truck will be stationed on Cable Street, on the road alongside Waitangi Park. You can then pick up your gear from the finish line at Kilbirnie Park.
Please use your own small bag for your gear (change of clothes, lightweight jacket, post race snacks etc) 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 pick up zone.
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!
From St Heliers - details coming soon ....
From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...
From St Heliers - details coming soon ....
From Madills Farm - details coming soon ...
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
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 parking restrictions during the event.
To avoid any delays, we highly recommend that you plan your travel and allow for extra time.
The RTB team would like to thank all residents and businesses for their ongoing co-operation and support of this event.
Check back closer to the event for more information.
* 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 alongside Waitangi Park.
See you at the finish line at Kilbirnie Park.
Pinpoint your hospo site(s) & share the details with your team mates.
Don't miss out ! Make RTB26 even more memorable with our official 2026 merch.
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.
