Registrations open and charities announced for 2014 Ports of Auckland Round the Bays

Registrations open on Monday 25th November for Auckland’s biggest day out, Ports of Auckland Round the Bays. $150,000 to benefit Auckland children and teens

9.30am on Sunday 9 March 2014 will see approximately 70,000 people take to the waterfront course, marking the 42nd year of New Zealand’s largest mass participation sporting event.
New initiatives such as early-bird entry prices aim to increase the number of registered entrants from the 42,000 who traditionally pay to take part.

“Ports of Auckland Round the Bays has a strong fundraising legacy and relies on paid registrations to maintain its tradition of supporting children’s charities ,” says Fairfax Media Managing Director Simon Tong.

“We’re delighted to confirm seven charities as the official beneficiaries of the 2014 event, selected for specific projects that will help a wide range of Auckland children and teens. Plus we’re partnering with Everyday Hero so entrants can use online fundraising to further support their favourite event charity,” says Tong.


Charities receiving a share of $150,000 in 2014 are Auckland Cystic Fibrosis, Radio Lollipop, The Hearing House, Crohn’s & Colitis New Zealand, Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, Kidsline and Fairfax First Books.

Fairfax Media, which operates the event and co-owns Ports of Auckland Round the Bays with the Auckland Joggers Club, has donated more than $1.5 million in the past decade alone from funds raised through registered entries.

“We are thrilled to be a charity partner for the fabulous Ports of Auckland Round the Bays 2014. Funds raised will be used to buy specialist audiology equipment to assist us with diagnosis and treatment of deaf children who have cochlear implants or hearing aids,” says Mary Jane Boland, Fundraising and Communications Manager at recipient charity The Hearing House.

“Every two days a child is born with some form of hearing loss in New Zealand and The Hearing House provides special help to those children who can’t hear anything at all so that they can grow up to speak and fully participate in the hearing world,” Boland says.

Ports of Auckland returns in its fourth year as an event sponsor.

“Round the Bays is the biggest and best way to celebrate Auckland’s stunning waterfront. Our 600-strong Ports of Auckland team of employees and families will be back again for a fantastic day out, enjoying the event alongside many other Auckland business teams,” says Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson.

In 2013 more than 860 teams took part, and ages ranged from babies in pushchairs to 47 people aged over 75.

The 8.4km flat course starts at Quay Street and follows the contours of the Waitemata Harbour to finish on the waterfront at St Heliers Bay.

Entries before 31 January benefit from new early-bird pricing of $20 for adults and $10 for kids, with under-fives free. The adult entry fee has increased for the first time in seven years (from $15).

Event organisers are also encouraging businesses to book sites at Madill’s Farm early for post-run hospitality.  Numbers are limited for 2014 as Glover Park is unavailable.

“Ports of Auckland Round the Bays gets bigger and better every year. The easy course and fantastic atmosphere makes Round the Bays an event for everyone, regardless of age or ability,” says Simon Tong.

Registrations open Monday 25 November at
www.roundthebays.co.nz.
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