HSBC Round the Bays 2009 is just around the corner

HSBC Round the Bays Media Release

13 February 2009 - For immediate release

Mark your diaries: HSBC Round the Bays 2009 is just around the corner!

With more participants than either the New York or the London Marathons, scenery to die for, and an early morning party atmosphere, one of the biggest fun runs in the world and one of the events that Auckland is best known for, will start on Sunday 15 March.

HSBC Round the Bays is in its 37th year, each year attracting over 40,000 registered participants, and nearly the same number of spectators.

Rubbing shoulders with elite athletes will be young children in prams, grandparents who are approaching 90 years of age, and walkers who are simply hoping to finish.

Each participant is helping to raise money for three very important youth charities: Fairfax First Books – which aims to improve the reading levels of under-fives in disadvantaged families, The Gifted Kids Programme, and Hearing House, which aims achieve miracles for children with hearing loss

HSBC CEO David Griffiths says the huge number of runners filling up the Auckland waterfront for HSBC Round the Bays, placed against a backdrop of beautiful Auckland scenery, help to create a highly enjoyable morning. .

“HSBC Round the Bays is a great community event,” he says. “Running and walking in the event is an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning, and the event is iconic. It’s a very special day.”

HSBC Round the Bays has been an annual event in Auckland since 1972, when it was initiated by the Auckland Joggers Club. The first run attracted 1,200 participants and today it has grown to be one of the world’s largest fun-runs, with over 47,000 registered runners and an estimated 70,000 participants in total. The run begins in the city on Quay St and finishes on the waterfront at St Heliers Bay.

Sponsors include HSBC, Coca-Cola Amatil, Mobico, Radioworks, Liquorland, The Spit Roast Company, The Mad Butcher and Carlton Party Hire.

To enter visit www.roundthebays.co.nz

ENDS

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