Round the Bays 2026 done
And thanks to all who supported Motor Neuron Disease New Zealand
The day began early, with a drive to New Lynn to hop on the train to town. I had planned to walk to Sunnyvale—AT Buses and Trains were free for event participants—but track work meant no weekend trains beyond New Lynn.
Round The Bays 2026 (RTB) didn't start until 09:15, we were meeting about 08:30, but the 20th ClassicItalia car show was starting at 08:00 in nearby Parnell. I got off the train about 07:20 and walked over to check out any early arrivals.
Snails, they're racy!
I was amused to see this marking on the new 'The Strand Shared Path' because—entirely by chance—I was listening to an amusing in parts, astonishing to horrifying in others, Radiolab podcast about snails...
In this episode, we consider a creature we often don’t think much about—the snail. And not just snails, but their sex lives. Which, as it turns out, is epic...
Not quite seeing ClassicItalia
Arrived at the usually deserted, on a Sunday, Watt Street venue to find it full already. Thought it might have been RTB people but seems there was some filming going on in one of the buildings there with catering and gear trucks and crew/cast cars parked.
Not many cars arrived before I had to leave but it looks, from the Facebook Group photos, that they managed to work around the congestion OK. I was able to fuel up with a great coffee and chocolate croissant from Simon & Lee for the walk back.
Round The Bays
With 'over 30,000 participants' the area around the start was busy (glad I'd already had my coffee!). It was a bit overcast at the start, a good thing as already warm and after the serious, and not so serious, runners departed it was time to walk.
There was a great atmosphere, lots of teams walking for good causes, bands and DJ's dotted along the course. One thing I noticed compared to cycling Tamaki Drive was that, away from the entertainment, hundreds of people (in our vicinity) walking is far quieter than four lanes of cars...
The sun came out from about Kohimarama, and it got hot. It was great to cross the finish line, Chris still rolling strong, and complete my first Round The Bays event.
It was a privilege to walk alongside Chris who's living a life I can't imagine with such dignity. Fuck MND!
Light cloud cleared towards the finish. Glad it was there for the start as it got hot in the full Sun.
Back to Parnell
After a meander from the finish around to Madills Farm, Kohimarama, I left the team at the shuttle bus stop to walk back. Was great Chris got priority boarding, the bus queues were long, and it was now really hot in the sun.
Because of the MND blue hair I didn't wear a cap for the RTB, but put one on for the walk back. I was covered in SPF50, and had topped up at the finish, but had not put a lot, enough, on my forehead as didn't want it running into my eyes. Monday would reveal some pink beneath the blue but it is OK now.
The walk was nice, passed some more Italian vehicles, a lovely Vespa and Ferrari 12Cilindri at Kohimarama, and seaswans at Okahu Bay. Nearing Ngapipi Rd I checked the AT Timetable and reckoned, with help from Google Maps walk estimates, I could cut across Parnell Baths to Judges Bay, then over the hill(s) to Parnell Station and just about get the 14:27 train.
I got there, just a few minutes to spare, and avoided a 20-minute wait for the next train. After ~38,000 steps it was quite nice to sit down!
Thanks to all who supported the FMND team
Collectively we raised over $2100 for Motor Neuron Disease NZ on the day, but it's not too late to add to that if you can...
Link to my page
