Marafun FAQ’s
The following are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions for our WildOnes MaraFun.
If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS- ALL SITES
How do I receive the RunWild newsletters?
Please email [email protected] with your email address and it will be added to the subscription list.
Can a parent register to run with my child in the WildOnes Marafun?
NO! The MaraFun event is only for 4-12 year olds or up to grade 6. If your little one has special needs or is nervous and very young, you may run alongside them but DO NOT REGISTER YOURSELF. If you are interested in running a race, you have to choose the 5 km, 10 km, or half marathon on Sunday in St. Albert.
How do I know if my child is registered?
If your online registration processed properly, you will receive an email confirmation notice from Leading Edge Physiotherapy RunWild. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Your child’s name would also appear on the Registered List- you can check here: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/77860/runwild/confirm
My child is training with their school. Does this mean they are registered?
NO! Running with your school during training sessions does not register you for the race, nor does telling your teacher. YOU MUST GO ONLINE AT RUNWILD.CA to register your child for the appropriate race.
How do I know if my child’s school has a team?
The school team name being in the drop down list DOES NOT MEAN that your school has a team registered. We present the RunWild information packages to over 100 schools, but only some of them reply and get involved. We did pep rallies in 17 schools in 2025.
Only teams with ten or more students registered are considered a school team that will get their race packages delivered to their school. The rest have to pick up their own race packages. If you are involved in the MaraFun your teacher or parents will be emailed before May 1 to confirm if you are with a school team or not. This will determine if your race package is delivered to your school or if you'll have to pick it up yourself.
Where do I pick up my child’s race package?
If your student’s race package was not delivered to them to their school, you have to pick it up yourself.
St. Albert Race: There are NO race package pick ups on race day May 4 in St. Albert. You have to pick up your race package at the St. Albert Seniors Association located at Red Willow Place, 7 Tache Street, St. Albert, Alberta. Race package pick up will take place on Friday May 2 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm and Saturday May 3 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Spruce Grove: For the Saturday May 3 10:30 am race, you can pick up your child’s race package and tshirt on site starting at 9:15 am.
Sherwood Park: For the Saturday May 3 2:00 pm race, you can pick up your child’s race package and tshirt on site starting at 12:30 pm.
Does my child have to be a part of a school team to register?
No, your child does not have to be a part of a school team to register. You can register them as an individual OR as a part of a team. Seeing your child’s school name on the drop down list DOES NOT mean that the school has a big enough team fielded to receive their race packages through our volunteer delivery.
What type of payment do you accept?
The online registration accepts Visa and Mastercard payments. Prepaid credit cards/debit cards are not accepted.
GENERAL RACE AND FUNDRAISING QUESTIONS
How many people are expected to participate in RunWild 2025?
The St. Albert MaraFun race is capped at 1000 participants. Both the Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park MaraFun races are capped at 400 each. We expect to sell out so please register early to prevent disappointment.
Why does it seem like the kids are standing around for long periods waiting for their heat?
The starting process is staggered to ensure safety on the course and at the finish line for participants and volunteers. If we start out too many racers, the course becomes too full for the course marshalls to ensure safety and the finish line becomes a zoo. The volunteers at the finish line need time to safely get each racer a medal, out of the finish line chute, and into the food line, and if we start the race heats all too close together, this cannot happen safely. Please be patient with our volunteers.
Independent racers not with a school race in the first heat, followed by groupings of schools based on numbers. Racers can be in any heat as it is not a timed event.
Can I secure pledges to help raise money for the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre and the other charities?
Yes please. Every dollar counts towards our fundraising goal of $100,000.
You can create your own page when you are completing your online registration and ask friends and family to support you or you may download and use our pledge form:
Click here to pledge a participant here!
Where can I get a map?
Maps are provided on the race profile pages in the Events section and are available for download. To get the most out of the event, please be sure to familiarize yourself with the course ahead of time. It is also a good idea to head over and try out the course before hand so your little one is familiar.
What do I receive for participating in the race?
All participants receive a commemorative medal, a race package and an event shirt.
Can my dog run/walk with me in any of the races?
With the exception of the hearing and vision impaired participants, no, we are NOT allowing dogs on any race routes.
Race Day Questions -St. Albert Sunday May 4
Where should I park for the St. Albert race?
There will be parking available in the lot across from St. Albert Place, along Perron Street. More parking may become available closer to race day. Please check back to this website or follow directional signage on race day. Plan to come early as parking is limited and there are over 2500 participants and 350 volunteers on site.
Where is the St. Albert start and finish area?
The start, finish and all race day events take place in Lions Park, St. Albert, AB. Big school groups will meet in Lions Park around 10:30, but if you are registered with a school team, listen to your teacher's instructions.
Is there somewhere to store my belongings during the race?
No. There is not a bag check for the MaraFun.
What will the weather be like?
The average temperature in St. Albert during May is a low of 3ºC and a high of 17ºC. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing, hats, sunscreen and layers. There is first a group warm up on stage and some speeches and trophy presentations, so you don’t want them to be uncomfortable during this time.
How will the start line work?
After the group warm up and stage presentation, heats are staggered based on participation numbers to ensure the course is safe for our racers and our volunteers. There are usually 5-8 heats in St. Albert. They will begin with those running as an independent racer without a school team, followed by school teams, grouped by size. They will be announced very clearly by our volunteers on stage. If your school name is not mentioned, it means your school did not have enough runners to field a team, but you are still most welcome!
Can I walk instead of run?
Yes. Walkers are invited to enter in all race events. We have even had racers in wheelchairs and with crutches compete the route.
What if I missed my heat?
The event is participation based and is not timed. You are allowed to run in any heat. If you miss your school name being called, you can run in any next heat. If you are in a hurry to leave due to a second commitment, you can choose to run in the first heat before your school name is called.
Are there course markers?
Yes, there are markers along the route. Directional arrows will also be in place. There are also many amazing volunteers to help guide and cheer on the race participants. We have had thousands of participants since 2011 and have never had a child go off course.
Who receives medals?
All MaraFun finishers will receive a medal. If you signed up for the race, but miss running on race day due to illness, etc. you can email our race director to see if there are any medals left over after race day.
Where do I meet my friends and family in St. Albert after the race?
In the Event Village at Lions Park where the finish line leads you. There is post-race nutrition for all registrants. Everyone is invited to join us in Lions Park for entertainment, a kids' fun zone including a petting zoo, inflatables, face painting, balloon artists and much more! Bring your friends and family members down to celebrate your achievement!
What if I am hungry?
There is a food tent for participants only to grab fruit, granola bars, juice boxes, etc. and there is food for sale in the race village for your family and fans!
RACE DAY QUESTIONS- SPRUCE GROVE Saturday May 3
What day is the race in Spruce Grove?
The race in Spruce Grove serving Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Parkland County is on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:30 am. It is a satellite event for the full RunWild which takes place on Sunday in St Albert.
Can I run the 5/10/21 km events in Spruce Grove?
NO- The satellite event in Spruce Grove is ONLY the Wildones Marafun 1.2 km event for 4-12 year olds, or elementary aged children. If you are older or want to run a longer race, you should sign up for the full event in St. Albert on Sunday. We also need volunteers!
Where should I park for the Spruce Grove race?
There will be parking available at Central Park and in the vicinity. Please check back to this website or follow directional signage on race day. Plan to come early as parking is limited and there are hundreds of participants and 75 volunteers on site. Consider walking or biking to the event if you live nearby. Bike parking will be available on site!
Where is the Spruce Grove start and finish area?
The start, finish and all race day events take place in
Central Park. Please see the race map under the events tab for the approximate start/finish location and event route.
Is there somewhere to store my belongings during the race?
No. There is no bag check.
What will the weather be like?
The average temperature in Spruce Grove during May is a low of 3ºC and a high of 17ºC. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing, hats, sunscreen and layers. There is first a group warm up on stage and some speeches and trophy presentations, so you don’t want them to be uncomfortable during this time.
How will the start line work?
After the group warm up and stage presentation, heats are staggered based on participation numbers to ensure the course is safe for our racers and our volunteers. There are usually 3-5 heats in Spruce Grove. They will begin with those running as an independent racer without a school team, followed by school teams, grouped by size. They will be announced very clearly by our volunteers on stage. The starting process is staggered to ensure safety on the course and at the finish line for participants and volunteers. The race is not timed, so you can run in any heat without interfering with the system.
Can I walk instead of run?
Yes. Walkers are invited to enter in all race events. We have even had racers in wheelchairs and with crutches compete the route.
What if I missed my heat?
The event is participation based and not timed. You are allowed to run in any heat. If you miss your school name being called, you can run in any next heat.
Are there course markers?
Yes, there are markers along the route. Directional arrows will also be in place. There are also many amazing volunteers to help guide and cheer on the race participants. We have had thousands of participants since 2011 and have never had a child go off course.
Who receives medals?
All MaraFun finishers will receive a medal. If you signed up for the race, but missed racing on race day due to illness, etc. you can email our race director to see if there are any medals left over after race day.
Where do I meet my friends and family in Spruce Grove after the race?
In the Event Village in Central Park where the finish line leads you. There is post-race nutrition for all registrants. Everyone is invited to join us in Central Park for entertainment, a kids' fun zone including food trucks, face painting, balloon artists and much more! Bring your friends and family members down to celebrate your achievement!
What if I am hungry?
There is a food tent for participants only to grab fruit, granola bars, juice boxes, etc. and there is food for sale in the race village for your family and fans!
RACE DAY QUESTIONS- SHERWOOD PARK Saturday May 3
What day is the race in Sherwood Park?
The race in Sherwood Park is on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm.. It is a satellite event for the full RunWild which takes place on Sunday in St Albert.
Can I run the 5/10/21 km events in Sherwood Park?
- The satellite event in Sherwood Park is ONLY the Wildones Marafun 1.2 km event for 4-12 year olds or elementary aged students. If you are older or want to run a longer race, you should sign up for the full event in St. Albert on Sunday. We also need volunteers!
Where should I park for the Sherwood Park race?
There will be parking available in the Wes Hosford Elementary School lot, the Glen Allan Recreation Complex lot, and the residential areas surrounding Greengrove Park. More parking may become available closer to race day. Please check back to this website or follow directional signage on race day. Plan to come early as parking is limited and there are hundreds of participants and 75 volunteers on site.
Where is the Sherwood Park start and finish area?
The start, finish and all race day events take place in Greengrove Park, located directly behind Glen Allan Recreation Centre.
Is there somewhere to store my belongings during the race?
No, there will be no bag check available.
What will the weather be like?
The average temperature in Sherwood Park during May is a low of 3ºC and a high of 17ºC. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing, hats, sunscreen and layers. There is first a group warm-up on stage and some speeches and trophy presentations, so you don’t want them to be uncomfortable during this time.
How will the start line work?
After the group warm up and stage presentation, heats are staggered based on participation numbers to ensure the course is safe for our racers and our volunteers. There are usually 3-5 heats in Sherwood Park. They will begin with those running as an independent racer without a school team, followed by school teams, grouped by size. They will be announced very clearly by our volunteers on stage. The starting process is staggered to ensure safety on the course and at the finish line for participants and volunteers. Please be patient with our volunteers.
Can I walk instead of run?
Yes. Walkers are invited to enter in all race events. We have even had racers in wheelchairs and with crutches compete the route.
What if I missed my heat?
The event is participation based and not timed. You are allowed to run in any heat. If you miss your school name being called, you can run in any next heat.
Are there course markers?
Yes, there are markers along the route. Directional arrows will also be in place. There are also many amazing volunteers to help guide and cheer on the race participants. We have had thousands of participants since 2011 and have never had a child go off course.
Who receives medals?
All MaraFun finishers will receive a medal. If you signed up for the race, but miss race day due to illness, etc. you can email our race director to see if there are any medals left over after race day.
Where do I meet my friends and family in Sherwood Park after the race?
In the Event Village at Greengrove Park where the finish line leads you. There is post-race nutrition for all registrants. Everyone is invited to join us in Greengrove Park for entertainment, a kids' fun zone including food trucks, face painting, balloon artists and much more! Bring your friends and family members down to celebrate your achievement!
What if I am hungry?
There is a food tent for participants only to grab fruit, granola bars, juice boxes, etc. and there is food for sale in the race village for your family and fans!
Have more questions? Click here for more details about theRunWild WildOnes MaraFun!
THANK YOU FOR RUNNING WILD WITH US!!!