Southern Cross Round the Bays

Supporting active communities towards a healthy future

Our aspiration is to support healthier years for more New Zealanders. This is the driving force behind Southern Cross Healthcare’s sponsorship of the iconic Round the Bays events in Auckland, Wellington and now Christchurch. Southern Cross Round the Bays is New Zealand’s largest fun run series where people come together for a fun, enjoyable and iconic day out to move their bodies.

Every year, thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds run, walk, and roll along the stunning waterfront courses – and we are proud to cheer them on, every step of the way.

We know that over 60 per cent of New Zealanders do not believe they get enough exercise, according to the latest Healthy Futures research funded by Southern Cross Health Society and Southern Cross Healthcare. By getting behind such an iconic series of fun run events, we are encouraging New Zealanders to join the movement, and to give it a go.

Auckland

Round the Bays in Auckland was first held in 1972 and has grown to become New Zealand's largest mass participation event. In 2024, over 27,000 people completed the course - starting from the city centre and heading along Tāmaki Drive to finish in St Heliers. The Auckland event will take place on 2 March 2025.

Wellington

Round the Bays Wellington is in its 47th year and is New Zealand's third largest mass participation event. Southern Cross Round the Bays Wellington 2024 attracted over 10,000 participants. The Wellington event will take place on 16 February 2025.

New event added!

Christchurch

We are excited for the inaugural Southern Cross Round the Bays Christchurch event in 2025. There has been demand from both participants and partners to run, walk and roll along the streets in the South Island too - so the garden city here we come! The Christchurch event will take place on 30 March 2025.