Pukekohe Showgrounds hosts the Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge South Auckland, a children's mud run sharing the same messy spirit as the adult event. It is part of "NZ's biggest mud run series," but the focus here is on primary and intermediate school children participating, assisting one another, and discovering the enjoyment of getting dirty.
The course features off-road mud and obstacles, divided for school years 3 to 4 and years 5 to 8. It includes numerous obstacles to crawl, climb, splash, and navigate. Families are integral to the day, and practical amenities are provided after the run: "hot showers" are available, along with "spot prizes" to add excitement once the children, with mud-caked shoes, are grinning.