North Harbour Bays Athletics first held this event on the 21st of December 2011 after event organizer Paul Hamblyn wanted to provide an opportunity for domestic athletes to achieve personal best times, before the summer middle distance races started in the new year. Good pace makers, quality fields and racing at a time conducive to running fast times were the main priorities. It began with just over 20 athletes across both genders.
In 2012, the event became the Bays Night of 5’s and the Blincoe Cup, named after current New Zealand 5000m record holder Adrian Blincoe who also ran his junior years with the club, was introduced to the Men’s Elite 5000m race.
The Night of 5’s has continued to grow and now incorporates other track and field events into its programme. In 2020, the event gained Oceania Permit meet status and not only included the cream of the crop of distance runners in NZ but some of our top Olympic throwers.
Our goal is for this event to grow and to become the premium 5,000m race of the New Zealand domestic season.
This years event is proudly sponsored by:
Daikin Night of 5s 