4 Paws Marathon

OCT

4

2026

Off road walk and run in Bottle Lake Forest and Christchurch beaches on Sunday 4 October 2026. Multiple distances from a 2.5 km children's run to a full marathon; dog friendly and open to participants without dogs.

Sun 4 Oct 2026

Christchurch, Canterbury Region

Website

Marathon 32 kilometers Half Marathon 16 kilometers 10 kilometers 5 kilometers

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4 Paws Marathon

The 4 Paws Marathon is an off road walk and run held in Bottle Lake Forest and along the beaches of Christchurch on Sunday 4th October 2026. The event was inspired by a Sport and Exercise Doctor and highlights the concept of exercise as medicine. It is open to participants with or without dogs.

Routes use soft underfoot surfaces such as pine needle paths, forest tracks and sandy beach sections. Some courses pass near where the Waimakariri River meets the sea. Distances range from a short children’s run through to a full marathon, with mapped courses and GPX files available for guidance.

A family friendly children’s option is offered for ages five to nine; all child entrants must be accompanied by an adult and child finishers receive a small 4 Paws Marathon medal. Several distances include a mix of forest canopy and beach running, and the event emphasises outdoor navigation and self reliance on off road trails.

Distances Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.