While too young to understand his visit to the stadium on Saturday was for a different purpose - raising money for the Cancer Society - his mother Amanda was determined to stride it out for the Relay for Life, even if that meant pushing Manu in his pram.
Along with her running mates ''The Cool Girls Go Running'' she and husband Reihana were determined to give something back in return for all the support they received while Manu was sick.
He was diagnosed with liver cancer when aged 10 months. The family was then living in Christchurch.
Just as the family was dealing with treatment, surgery and post-operative treatment, the quakes hit and they were moved to Starship Hospital, Auckland.
To ensure their older boys Te Toa (5) and Rua (9) were safe, they were sent to Mrs Haggie's parents in Australia, in Cairns, far north Queensland.
Manu, while still undergoing regular checks, has now been in remission for 18 months and the family has settled into life in Dunedin.
When Mrs Haggie heard about Relay for Life she thought it was a great opportunity to give something back after organisations such as the Child Cancer Foundation had been so supportive and generous during Manu's treatment.
She had also discovered the relay was a great place to touch base with other mothers and children they had met during Manu's treatment.
