The Kaikōura Whale Run

The FUN event for Everyone - 1/2 Marathon and 10 km run/walk events and 2 km Marafun

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Saturday 6 September 2025


It's only

295 days 1 hour 22 minutes 8 seconds

until the Kaikōura Whale Run!

The Fun Event For Everyone

The Whale Run is brought to you by Kaikōura Suburban School where kids get an education they will remember for life.

1/2 Marathon Walk or Run

This is our biggie for the serious runners, walkers and self-challenge doers.

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12 km Walk or Run

The classic 10km course has been tweaked to 12km with bush trail and peninsula views.

 
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5km Run/Walk

A NEW distance for those wanting to push themselves beyond the Marafun and for those who want a bit of a ‘get fit’ challenge.

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MaraFun

The race for preschoolers and early primary school-age children (8 years and under). The Marafun is off-road in the safety of the school grounds.

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2025

19th Whale Run

The Whale Run story

Now into its 19th year, the Kaikōura Whale Run began life in the school grounds of Kaikōura Suburban School as the Kaikōura Suburban Half Marathon. The idea was to create a fun event fundraiser that could encourage folk to have a get fit project over winter to feel great for the summer. It has proven to be very popular and last year was no exception with the addition of the 5km Run/Walk and the new course taking competitors over farmland, rivers and through bush, rewarding them with stunning scenery to take in on the way. Thanks to the continued support and sponsorship of local businesses and you, the competitors, we bring you the bigger and even better Kaikōura Whale Run 2025! A new year, spectacular trails and finisher medals for all competitors including the kids Marafun. Come one, come all, for a fantastic fundraiser event for the whole family!

2018

Mainpower North Canterbury Sports Awards Sport Event of the Year

What People Are Saying

  • The team loved your event last year and I would love to get up and participate in something this year.
    PB
  • I just want to congratulate and thank you.
    NC
  • Congratulations for organising such a successful running event. All of the students I have talked to really enjoyed it as did our Principal. Our students felt a real sense of accomplishment at finishing the race.
    NC
  • Thanks again for a wonderful event. Am happy to promote to all my running friends.
    AB
  • A big thank you for the prize. It was unexpected and very generous.
    SB
  • A huge thanks and congrats for another successful Whale Run. You guys rock, such a great team of organisers and effort all round. Glad it was a great day and record numbers. Awesome stuff
    TS
  • Thank you for an amazing event, I'll be sharing with all my friends how great the Kaikoura Whale Run is!!!
    AK
  • Great event.  Will be back next year, thanks!
    PB & JD
  • I love running with Harold the Giraffe.
    LMcL
  • Fantastic views & course.
    SB
  • Lovely brisk stroll the dappled wattle tree lanes, with picturesque snow-capped peaks in the background - superb!
    RM
  • Brilliant event.  I love it, so community centred.  Thank you
    LO
  • Started great, finished sore, happy with time! May it continue, love Whale run each year.
    P & J W