When the Racing Rod for Ranui relay marathon debuted at The Spectacle last year, organiser Conal Beban had no idea what to expect.
What unfolded was a blur of 200-metre lung-busters, frantic baton changes through Nelson’s CBD, and a team of strangers who crossed the finish line hugging like lifelong friends.
They also happened to obliterate Rod Dixon’s 1983 New York Marathon winning time of 2hr 8mins 59sec. Tomorrow, they’re back for another crack.
Conal laughs when asked why he decided to bring the event back for a second year.
“Basically, because it was good fun,” he says. “There’s something about doing something for a good cause with a bunch of good people. There’s a real feel-good factor about it. Probably the community aspect more than anything, everyone doing it together for a cause that helps so many people in our region.”
That cause is Ranui House, the Christchurch home-away-from-home that supports patients and families undergoing life-saving medical treatment. Last year’s relay raised more than $15,000. This year’s tally has already surpassed $14,000 before the first runner has even laced up, and Conal says that figure doesn’t include donations paid directly to Ranui House.
Last year’s group of about 60 runners included Nelson Giants players, former All Black Wyatt Crockett, and dozens of locals who had never met until they were suddenly responsible for each other’s split times. “At the end you’re hugging people you’ve never met before, but you instantly know there’s a connection,” Conal says.
“The unknown was part of the fun. We had no idea how we’d go. And honestly? We went too well,” he jokes. “I wouldn’t mind if Rod’s got one back on us this year.”
Rod himself even jumped in for the final leg last year, joking that he’d run backwards to slow the team down.
This year’s team will sit around 50, though pinning down the exact number is always a challenge. Some Giants players and footballers who helped turbocharge last year’s pace won’t be alongside the runners this time due to other tournaments, but Conal says the energy will be the same.
“Everyone who turns up throws themselves into it. That’s what makes it special.”
Ranui House continues to be a lifeline for local families - 8,498 bed nights in the last 12 months alone for people from Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough, the equivalent of 23 people every night staying there while navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives.
With The Spectacle drawing huge crowds and dozens of other races already underway, Conal says Racing Rod for Ranui adds a unique sense of camaraderie to an already electric event.
“It was one of the greatest things I’ve been involved in,” he says. “The buzz The Spectacle created for Nelson was amazing.”
To donate to the cause visit https://racing-rod-for-ranui-2025.raiselysite.com/donate
