Round the Bays draws 72,000

Despite great numbers at Sunday's Ports of Auckland Round the Bays, organisers were actually disappointed.

Fairfax Media organises the event through The Sunday Star-Times and its suburban newspapers, including this title, and spokesman David Kemeys said numbers were well up on last year.

"We had around 70,000 last year, but blew that away with something around 72,000, but that left us strangely disappointed and wondering what it would be like to crack the 75,000 barrier.

"With the continued support of great sponsors like Ports of Auckland, who knows. Maybe we can do that in 2011."

Prime Minister John Key was again on hand to start the event, his first official outing on a day that would also include a visit to the Kumeu Show in his home electorate.

He told well-wishers "maybe next year", when they asked where his running shorts were.

Mr Key also made an unscheduled visit to Madills Farm to meet with finishers of the event and visit the Ports of Auckland tent.

"This really is a magnificent event," he said.

"It's wonderful to see what is really `Auckland on display'.

"It's the city at its finest and it is just incredible how many people this attracts," he said.

Mr Key said the health benefits in terms of people preparing and exercising could not be measured.

"This event has been around a long time supporting some great causes, but it is also terrific to see so many people with their families getting out and exercising."

The 8.4-kilometre course follows Waitemata Harbour from Quay St to Vellenoweth Green in St Heliers.

This year, funds raised at the annual event will be used to support the Waitemata Harbour Clean-Up Trust, Ronald McDonald House and Fairfax First Books.

The Waitemata trust works to remove litter from the harbour and Gulf islands, and also promotes clean and rubbish-free waterways. Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen says the work of the trust is a perfect fit because the port also works hard with the trust to keep the harbour in top condition.

Ronald McDonald House is planning a major expansion because demand on its services keeps on growing.

Every year it houses thousands of families when their children are undergoing medical treatment.

Fairfax First Books works to improve the reading levels of under-fives in disadvantaged communities.

- © Fairfax NZ News