Aucklanders, Mayor, Prepare To Pound Pavement

In just three days’ time, thousands will gather together to join in New Zealand’s largest mass-participation sporting event.


Training programmes have been completed, the last of the team T-shirts have been printed and the excited nerves will just be starting to kick in for the 2011 Ports of Auckland Round the Bays entrants.

The city centre will once again play host to Aucklanders from the Bombays to the Brynderwyns as they descend on the Quay Street start line for the fun run, proudly brought to participants by the Sunday Star-Times and Fairfax Media.

Up to 70,000 people are expected to hit the road as Mayor Len Brown (who is walking the route) fires the starter gun for the 39th annual incarnation of the event.

The morning will see families, friends and colleagues of all ages and abilities come together to run, walk or wheel their way along Tamaki Drive.

Entrants will cover 8.4kms each, amounting to a collective distance of roughly 588,000 kms – enough ground covered to circle the equator 14.5 times!

Over 250 volunteers from Auckland Joggers Club, Watercare, Coca Cola Amatil, and St John’s Ambulance will be waiting in the wings to ensure the day is a safe and happy one for everyone involved.

And as contestants pass through the finishing chutes, volunteers from Mobico will scan an average 270 race numbers per minute to ensure participants know their exact finishing time.

Following the race, the crowds head to barbeques and entertainment at Madills Farm and Glover Park.

The funds raised from this year’s event will go to Koru Care, Kidney Kids, the Waitemata Harbour Clean-Up Trust and Fairfax First Books, giving entrants double the reason to feel fantastic at the finish line.

Ports of Auckland Round the Bays Quick Facts:

• Entry fee is $10 for children (16 and under) and $15 for adults
• To enter visit www.roundthebays.co.nz
• Entries remain open until 9am on race day
• Entrants can park at St Heliers and take a special event bus back to the start-line at Quay Street from 7am
• The race starts at 9.30am
• The start line is on Quay St, adjacent to Vector Arena
• The course is 8.4km along Tamaki Drive
• The finish line is at Vellenoweth Green at St Heliers

ENDS

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