Ranui House Wild West Kids Run

1km & 1 mile (1.6km) – Out and Back

We’re excited to introduce the Ranui House Wild West Kids Run, a fun and family-friendly addition to the Wild West Backyard Ultra!

This year’s inaugural Wild West Backyard Ultra, held in Hokitika on 4 April 2026, proudly supports the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust — meaning every step taken on race day helps families facing some of the most challenging times of their lives.

All proceeds from the Kids Run will go directly to the Trust’s Ranui House and Apartments.

Why This Matters

The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust provides life-changing support to patients and whānau who must travel away from home for life-saving treatment.

Ranui House and Apartments offers a home-away-from-home in Christchurch — providing comfortable accommodation and wraparound support so patients can focus on healing, knowing their loved ones have a safe place to stay nearby.

• Rānui supports up to 80 families every night

• Around 2,500 families every year

• In 2025 alone, 513 West Coast families stayed at Ranui, accounting for 3,160 nights of accommodation

Every dollar donated makes a direct impact on families from the West Coast and across Aotearoa.

By taking part in the Wild West Backyard Ultra — including the Kids Run — you are directly supporting these families.

Event Details

Date: Saturday 4 April 2026
Start Time: 2:15pm (following the 5th lap of the main event)
Location: Hokitika Beachfront – same start/finish chute as the main event

Distances:

• 1km out-and-back

• 1 mile (1.6km) out-and-back

Both courses follow a safe, easy-to-navigate section along the beachfront walkway (pram friendly!).

Who Can Join?

Open to children of all ages — from confident runners to first-timers.

It’s all about:

• Fun

• Participation

• Confidence

• Community

• Supporting a meaningful cause

Entry Fee

Entry is by donation, with all proceeds going to the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust.

Your generosity helps ensure families from the West Coast and beyond have somewhere safe and supportive to stay during incredibly difficult times.

Registration

No online registration needed.

Simply come to the Wild West Backyard Ultra Race HQ tent before 2pm on race day.
Our volunteers will get your young runner ready to go.

Course Overview

The Kids Run follows the same beachfront pathway used in the main event, heading out from the start / finish chute before turning and returning.

The route is:

• Flat and accessible

• Safe for young runners

• Easy for parents and spectators to watch

Course marshals will be stationed along the route.

Bring the Whānau

The Wild West Backyard Ultra is about endurance — but it’s also about community.

Whether your child is racing for fun, trying running for the first time, or chasing a personal best, we’d love to see them on the start line.

Come along. Cheer loudly. Be part of something bigger.

Because every step on the Wild West course helps support families who need it most.