Lace up your shoes, get the t-shirt and join the Run for Rānui team at the Christchurch Marathon 2026 on Sunday 12 April.
The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust is again thrilled to be the Christchurch Marathon’s official charity partner. Run, walk or do a bit of both – and make sure you join the Run for Rānui crew raising vital funds to support families from around New Zealand who rely on Rānui House and Apartments while staying Christchurch for life-saving medical treatment.
“Participation in the Christchurch Marathon is an easy way to get your mates together, step-up and do good for others – as well as yourself. Join our Run for Rānui team and help us reach our fundraising goal of $60,000,” says Mandy Kennedy, Bone Marrow Cancer Trust CEO.
There are many ways to get involved and support Run for Rānui. Register online to enter the Marathon, sign-up to the Run for Rānui fundraising effort, give a one-off donation, or purchase a Run for Rānui t-shirt.
“We’re aiming for a sea of Rānui orange on the streets of Christchurch on Sunday 12 April. Wearing one of our Run for Rānui high performance Dynasty Sports t-shirts made from ethically sourced recycled plastic, is the real deal – you’ll definitely look and keep cool on the marathon course.
“Or simply add a touch of orange to your outfit – a bit of tuille or shoelaces are nice additions. Whatever you choose, signalling your support means the world to us!”
Rānui Families Running in 2026 Christchurch Marathon
Rānui House and Apartments in central Christchurch provides a home-away-from-home for patients and their families, serving up to 80 families every night from all over Aotearoa. Rānui offers a warm, welcoming space and wrap-around support so families can focus on caring for their loved one while staying close to Christchurch Hospital.
Every Christchurch Marathon entry and dollar fundraised ensures Rānui continues to provide a place of rest and respite for families when they need it most.
This year former Rānui patients and families from Nelson, the West Coast and Auckland are stepping up and joining the Run for Rānui team alongside the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust’s own Christchurch-based team and local supporters.
“It is easy to be part of the Run for Rānui team,” says Mandy. “Even if you’re not a runner or walker, you can still support us. We welcome volunteers who can help out at the Rānui Aid Station in central Christchurch on marathon day.
“This year’s Marathon is shaping up to be good fun filled with moments that will make you smile. Don’t miss out on being part of something super special by joining the Run for Rānui team at the Christchurch Marathon 2026 on Sunday 12 April.
Partnership in Action
The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust and Christchurch Marathon partnership is into its third year. Over this time the Christchurch Marathon has doubled in size to become one of the largest mass participation running races in the country attracting local, national and international entrants. All funds raised through Run for Rānui stay local supporting families coming to Rānui House and Apartments who are facing some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Christchurch Marathon Director, Chris Cox says: “Rānui has touched so many – patients, their families and friends – from throughout New Zealand, some of whom are part of our running community.”
“It’s truly inspirational for us that there are Christchurch Marathon participants who have gone through bone marrow cancer or other serious illnesses and have recovered sufficiently to take part in our event.
“Some of them have experienced first-hand the wonderful work that Rānui does. This makes our partnership with the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust meaningful when you know people who have really gone the distance to make it onto the marathon course. Please step-up and support Run for Rānui this Christchurch Marathon.”
Media Contacts:
Bone Marrow Cancer Trust (Rānui House and Apartments): Mandy Kennedy, CEO – mandy@bmct.org.nz – 021 333 321
Christchurch Marathon: Chris Cox, Christchurch Marathon Director – chris@chriscox.co.nz
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RUN FOR RANUI AND THE BONE MARROW CANCER TRUST
How to get involved with Run for Rānui at the Christchurch Marathon 2026:
Register online to enter the Christchurch Marathon 2026 and fundraise for Run for Rānui:
- ENTER at Christchurch Marathon in whatever distance and pace you wish, when prompted to join “Team” select: Run for Rānui. Enter the promo code: Run4Rānui26 for a 15% discount on your entry. This will automatically generate a fundraising profile, then an email with a link to the fundraising page to update your details and share the link with others.
- FUNDRAISE – when completing your entry you’ll be prompted to join a “Team”. Select: Run for Rānui, then separately click on the Rānui logo. This will automatically create a fundraising page which you’ll be sent an email with a link to your fundraising page.
- SHARE after registering. Share your unique web link inviting others to support your fundraising efforts.
- DONATE – add a donation to your entry registration at the check-out.
Purchase Run for Rānui merchandise: Our stylish Dynasty Sports high performance t-shirts and smart looking caps help you look the part and stand out on marathon day! Order online with a percentage of sales coming directly to the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust.
- Volunteer for Rānui: Help out at the Rānui Aid Station on Marathon day. You’ll have lots of fun while supporting us and cheering on the competitors clocking up the steps. Get in touch and sign-up with the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust’s Volunteer Coordinator.
About the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust
The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust was formed initially to raise $1.1 million to establish New Zealand’s first Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Christchurch Hospital, but the Trustees knew the challenge was greater than that. They had to provide patients and their families with somewhere to stay for the intense and ongoing medical treatments they were facing. They knew that if families stay together, they heal faster.
Rānui House in central Christchurch opened on 12 February 1993 with six apartments, which increased to nine apartments two years later. Demand soon outstripped supply and in 2008 Rānui House was extended to offer the 26 semi or fully self-contained apartments that are there today.
Rānui Apartments at 508 Selwyn Street opened November 2024, providing another 54 purpose-built apartments and nearly tripling the Trust’s capacity to offer accommodation and support to patients and families undergoing life-changing medical treatment.
Today, the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust is the largest provider of patient accommodation in the South Island, while being the only provider that serves patients and families no matter their age, medical condition or treatment type. Patients can be hospital inpatients or outpatients and can stay at Rānui as long as they need.
Rānui House and Apartments provide comfortable serviced accommodation, support and meals, where required. The Trust also funds life-saving and world-class cancer research through its annual grants programme via the Bone Marrow Cancer Research Trust.
Rānui House & Apartments statistics in 2025:
Total patients and families: 4,530; Total bed nights: 18,234 ; Average length of stay: 11 nights
Treatment types of families staying at Rānui: Haematology 23%, Oncology 17%, General Surgery 10%, CHOC & ICU 9%, Nephrology 8%, Womans Health 7%, Neurology 7%, Other 3%
Where families came from: wider Canterbury 19%, West Coast 18%, Nelson 16%, Otago 15%, Southland 10%, Marlborough 9%, Wellington 7%, Chatham Islands 4%, Auckland 2%
