Run for the Zoo

Sunday, June 3 Register Now

Run for Zoo is an annual highlight on the Chicago running calendar. The race has sold out the last five years! The 40th annual Run for the Zoo benefits Lincoln Park Zoo and helps to keep it free and open 365 days a year. Some of the race highlights include:

• 5K and 10K race options, plus a children’s obstacle course (Safari Stampede)
• Courses that partially run through the zoo’s beautiful grounds
• Wave start times for an efficient runner experience
• Themed tech shirts (with a brand new logo for 2018!)
• Post-race celebration on the zoo’s Main Mall including post-race snacks, a free beer and DJ tunes

And much more!

Schedule of Events

7:30 a.m.: 5K Run/Walk
8:15 a.m.: 10K Run
9:00 a.m.: Safari Stampede (Heat 1)
9:45 a.m.: Safari Stampede (Heat 2)

Registration Information

Click here to register

All participants receive a shirt with registration.

Registration Fees

Through March 29
10K Run (chip-timed): $39
5K Run/Walk (chip-timed): $34
Safari Stampede (Ages 3–6): $25

Through May 10
10K Run (chip-timed): $44
5K Run/Walk (chip-timed): $39
Safari Stampede (Ages 3–6): $25

Through May 31
10K Run (chip-timed): $49
5K Run/Walk (chip-timed): $44
Safari Stampede (Ages 3–6): $25

PPU/Race Day
10K Run (chip-timed): $59
5K Run/Walk (chip-timed): $54
Safari Stampede (Ages 3–6): $25

(Zoo members receive a $5 discount on the 5K and 10K events if registered by June 2, 2018. Members should enter their first three digits of their member ID when prompted during the registration process. We do not offer discounts on event day.)

Click here to register

Courses

10K Run
The USATF Certified 10K starts outside the zoo’s West Gate, heads south then north on Stockton Drive, making a U-turn near the south end of Lincoln Park. Runners turn east on Fullerton Parkway toward Lake Michigan, head north on the Lakefront Trail, then loop around south of Belmont Harbor through a Lake Shore Drive viaduct. The course continues south in the park, through the Fullerton viaduct, along the South Lagoon, and makes a U-turn back north at the lagoon’s south end. Runners circle westward around the zoo at Fullerton, south along Stockton, then loop northward around Café Brauer onto the Nature Boardwalk path, around the pond and into the zoo, around the Camel & Zebra Area, and finish on the east side of the Kovler Lion House.

5K Run/Walk
The USATF Certified 5K Run/Walk starts outside the zoo’s West Gate, heads south on Stockton Drive, loops around the southern end of Lincoln Park, then heads north through the park along the west side of the South Lagoon. Runners make a U-turn at the Lincoln Park Boat Club, head south, then loop around the Nature Boardwalk pond, past Café Brauer and into the zoo, around the Camel & Zebra Area, and finish on the east side of the Kovler Lion House.

For this race no pets are allowed on the course and strollers will only be permitted at the back of the 5k course. (Strollers are not on the 10k course.)

The Safari Stampede mini obstacle course will be held on the South Lawn, near Park Place Cafe inside the Lincoln Park Zoo gates.

Download the 10k and 5k Course Maps

Run For the Zoo Team Challenge

The 40th Anniversary of Run for the Zoo 10K & 5K is on Sunday, June 3, 2018. Team up with coworkers, friends or family and Come Join the Party! The Team Challenge gives local businesses, churches, running clubs and organizations the opportunity to promote health and fitness, raise money for charity and boost community spirit. For businesses it is a great opportunity for corporate wellness, team building and overall company morale. There are fun prizes and awards to compete for as a team.

Team Registration Information
You can register your team online by clicking “create a team”. To form a team, appoint one person as the Team Captain to represent your team. Then, simply follow the instructions below.

To qualify to participate in the Team Challenge you must recruit at least 5 individuals to participate on your team. The Team Captain will then register and choose the “create the team” option during the online process and tell your team members the Team Name. They will select “join a team” when they begin registering. All team participants must be registered by May 25, 2018.

Team Challenge Scoring and Awards
The Team Challenge event has been designed to support the promotion of fitness though group exercise, community spirit and good old-fashioned competition! Teams must have 5 participants in the 10K or 5K to be eligible for awards.

Overall Largest Team
The team with the largest number of registered participants will win historical memorabilia celebrating the run's 40th anniversary.

Overall Team that raises the most money for Lincoln Park Zoo
The team that raises the most money for the Lincoln Park Zoo will win a behind-the-scenes tour of an animal building! The Team Challenge Awards will be distributed during the Run for the Zoo Awards Ceremony on race Day at on the Main Mall.

Safari Stampede

The Safari Stampede Presented by GEMS World Academy Chicago Early Years is a mini obstacle course for kids to express their inner animal! Children ages 3-6 years old can participate in the Safari Stampede, located on the South Lawn near Park Place Cafe. Registration fee required; includes a special event participation shirt!

New this year: Due to popular demand, we are having a second wave of Safari Stampede! The first will start at 9 a.m., and the second will start 9:45 a.m.

Race Results

2017 Race results: click here to see the results.

See results from all previous years.

This year’s race results will be posted on June 4 following the race.

Volunteers Needed

We need more than 250 volunteers ages 14 and older to make this event successful! Volunteer positions include Packet Pick-Up, Finish Line, Course, Water Stations, and more. Volunteers will receive a special Lincoln Park Zoo shirt. This is a great opportunity for individuals or volunteer groups!

Please direct any questions to volunteer@lpzoo.org. Bring a friend!

If you'd like to volunteer for Run for the Zoo, please sign up here.

Sponsorship

Reach more than 6,000 runners and spectators by becoming an official event sponsor! Contact Ryann Kehoe, Manager of Corporate Alliances, at 312-742-2287 or rkehoe@lpzoo.org.

Parking Information

Paid parking is available in the zoo’s parking lot on Cannon Drive. Parking is limited, so please arrive early. Click here for more information and pricing.