Sunday 4 October 2026
4 Paws Marathon
Christchurch, Bottle Lake Forest
The race
About this course
This event takes place in the scenic Bottle Lake Forest, offering a unique opportunity for participants to run alongside their dogs. The course features soft, forgiving terrain that enhances the experience, making it suitable for various fitness levels.
With multiple distance options available, the event encourages participation from a broad audience, including families and seasoned runners. The atmosphere is infused with a sense of community, celebrating the bond between humans and their canine companions.
Inspired by a sport and exercise doctor’s passion for running with dogs, the event promotes the idea of exercise as a form of medicine. It serves as a tribute to the companionship and support that dogs provide in our fitness journeys.
Pick your race
Distances
Marathon
42.2km
32.2K
32.2km
Half Marathon
21.1km
16K
16km
10K
10km
5K
5km
KIds' 2.5K
2.5km
What to expect
Race day conditions
Terrain and altitude come from the course. Weather is a ten-year average for this date, not a forecast.
Weather data by Open-Meteo(opens in a new tab).
Getting there
Event location
Waitikiri Drive, Bottle Lake, Christchurch 8083, New ZealandGet directions(opens in a new tab)
From runners
What runners wish they’d known
Event details and map location come from public information on the official event website(opens in a new tab). If a listing looks out of date, or you need exact start lines and course maps, check the official source or email [email protected].
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Questions about this race?
Ask the NZ Running community about the course, parking, and what race day is like at 4 Paws Marathon.