Connor’s Run 2026 raises an incredible $1.7 million for paediatric brain cancer
More than 5,300 people came together for Connor’s Run 2026, raising an incredible $1.7 million to help change the odds for kids and young people with brain cancer.
From thousands of runners, walkers and rollers taking over Melbourne on Sunday 13 September, to Your Way Any Day challenges happening across Australia and beyond, the Connor’s Run community once again showed just how powerful it can be when we come together.
This year, you raised an incredible $1.7 million for paediatric brain cancer, helping fund world-class research, care and development projects to give kids diagnosed with brain cancer the best possible chance.
And, in true Connor’s Run style, you had plenty of fun along the way.
More than 5,300 people, one incredible community
From the 18.8km start in Hampton and 9.8km start in St Kilda, to our littlest runners taking on the 3km Little Bird Loop, Melbourne was filled with colour, music, dancing and plenty of Connor’s Run spirit.
There were first-timers, families who have been with us from the beginning, school teams, corporate crews, our brain cancer community, volunteers, ambassadors, sponsors and supporters.
For many, Connor’s Run is much more than a run. One participant summed it up beautifully in our post-event survey:
“I felt very much part of a community. It was very wholesome and even though I hate running, I enjoyed the day.”
Another called it:
“Hands down the best, most enjoyable, most inclusive fun run.”
$1.7 million to change the odds
Every registration, donation and kilometre had a bigger purpose.
Brain cancer remains the number one disease killer of Australian children, and the funds raised through Connor’s Run allow the RCD Foundation to invest in the research and care that can change that.
This year’s extraordinary $1.7 million fundraising result will help us continue backing innovative research, supporting young people and families through programs such as Music Matters, and investing in the discoveries that can lead to better treatments and better outcomes.
Throughout September, our community also made the most of matched giving, with generous support from Bluegum, the King family, the Dawes family and other donors helping donations go twice as far while matching funds were available.
Your Way, your day
Connor’s Run stretched well beyond Melbourne again this year through Your Way Any Day, giving people everywhere the chance to take part in their own way.
We saw challenges in backyards, parks, schools and communities, including participants joining us from overseas. Whether it was 3km or 30km, running, walking or creating a challenge of their own, every participant was part of the same team.
And the Connor’s Run spirit continues to grow. In our post-event surveys, 97% of Melbourne respondents said they would take part again next year, while 90% of Your Way Any Day respondents said they were already planning to return.
We couldn’t do it without you
Connor’s Run has always been about community, and this result belongs to every person who registered, FUNdraised, donated, volunteered, sponsored, cheered, shared a post or helped make the day happen.
A huge thank you to our Presenting Partners Hyundai Help for Kids, Buxton, QMS, Specsavers, and OneToAnother, and to all our generous partners and supporters who helped bring Connor’s Run 2026 to life.
And, most importantly, thank you to our brain cancer families and community. You are at the heart of everything we do.
Since the first Connor’s Run in 2013, this community has now raised more than $16 million for paediatric brain cancer.
