Round the Bays Auckland is on Sunday 7 March 2027, marking 55 years of the run. The 8.4 km course follows Tāmaki Drive along the harbour from Quay Street to St Heliers, where a finishers' festival waits on Vellenoweth Green. Free shuttle buses take you to the start early and back to Britomart from 11 am to 2 pm. Bibs are collected from the Victory Convention Centre in Freemans Bay.
On this page
Key facts
- When
- Sunday 7 March 2027; all entrants at the start by 8.30 am
- Course
- 8.4 km from Quay Street along Tāmaki Drive to St Heliers
- Bib collection
- Victory Convention Centre, 98 Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay: Thursday 4 March 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday 8 am to 7 pm, Saturday 8 am to 4 pm
- Shuttles
- Free with your bib to the start from Vellenoweth Green and Madills Farm (last bus 8 am); back to Britomart 11 am to 2 pm
- Gear drop
- Britomart Place, opposite Les Mills, or Vellenoweth Green; closes 8.30 am
What it is
Round the Bays Auckland has been Tāmaki Makaurau’s “ultimate feel-good morning” for more than half a century, and 2027 marks 55 years. It is on Sunday 7 March 2027: 8.4 km of coastal running and walking from Quay Street along Tāmaki Drive to St Heliers, followed by what organisers call one legendary street party.
What to expect
People push prams, power-walk with mates or sprint for a personal best. You choose a start group by expected time, from elite to walker, and your time only starts when you cross the start mats. Before the start there is entertainment, a charity presentation and a group warm-up on Quay Street. At the finish, the festival on Vellenoweth Green has live music, food vendors and giveaways, and teams gather at the Madills Farm hospitality zone.
Who it suits
Everyone: families, first-time walkers, workplace teams raising money for charity and runners after a quick 8 km. Infants 0 to 4 take part free.
Entry
Fees are on the official site and rise as race day approaches. Every finisher gets a medal and access to the finishers’ festival.
Race morning
Collect your bib from the Victory Convention Centre, 98 Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay (across from Victoria Park): Thursday 4 March 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday 5 March 8 am to 7 pm, or Saturday 6 March 8 am to 4 pm. On the day:
- The info tent and gear drop are on Britomart Place, in front of Les Mills (info tent 7 am to 9 am; allow 45 minutes for queues)
- Free shuttles to the start leave The Parade at Vellenoweth Green and Melanesia Road at Madills Farm, with the last buses at 8 am
- Gear drop closes strictly at 8.30 am, when everyone must be at the start
- Free buses run back to Britomart from Long Drive and Melanesia Road from 11 am to 2 pm
Getting there
Britomart is Auckland’s main train and bus hub, right by the start, so public transport is the easiest way in. Tāmaki Drive is closed for the event, and parking at both ends is limited.
Where to stay
The central city and Viaduct put you a short walk from the start. Our things to do in Auckland guide covers the neighbourhoods.
What to bring
A drink bottle, sunscreen, a hat and something warm for after the finish. Don’t bring valuables to the gear drop.
Make a trip of it
Spend the rest of the day at Mission Bay or catch a ferry from the downtown terminal, with ideas in our things to do in Auckland guide.
FAQ
When is Round the Bays Auckland 2027?
Where does it start and finish?
How do I get home from St Heliers?
Can I park at St Heliers and bus to the start?
Sources
Last checked 11 November 2026 against the organiser's own pages
