Just like every other day of the year, they spent most of it running around after their children.
More than 300 people participated in the annual Dunedin run, which was led by children and their mothers had to give chase.
Jennian Homes Dunedin owner and event co-organiser Hayden Davies said the event aimed to raise awareness of heart health among New Zealanders.
"We do it on Mother's Day because initially it was specifically directed at women's heart health, so it was a way of getting mothers out and about on a day that was significant to them, and doing things with their kids that they wouldn't normally do together."
But it had become a family affair in more recent years because it was obvious there were fathers out there who wanted to do it too, he said.
"So making it a family event seemed like a better idea."
Similar events were run across New Zealand yesterday, including in Oamaru and Balclutha.
Mr Davies said the events around the country had raised funds for the Heart Foundation, but they had not been counted yet.