5k coming to the zoo this spring

The Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo will hold a 5K run/walk on Saturday, April 22, and is also inviting the public to start logging their kilometers virtually ahead of race day to support the zoo’s mission to provide exceptional animal care, unparalleled conservation education and connecting people to the natural world.
The Zoo Run Run, will kick off at 7 a.m. in the zoo courtyard and have multiple waves that morning. The course will take you through the zoo’s Wildlife Trail past snow leopards, red pandas, elephants, wolves camels, penguins and more. You will run the loop five times, all while the animals cheer you on. Race as a lone wolf, or build a team and run with the pack!
Participants can also start running – or walking – now as an incentive to get outside through the winter and spring to support the animals of the zoo. The registration site for the Zoo Run Run provides a link to the Strava activity tracker app so virtual runners and walkers can log their miles.
“The Zoo Run Run is the crossroads of exercise and education,” said Heidi Strong, Friends of the Zoo Director of Development. “The immersive experience puts runners on a vibrant and colorful course pulsing with life, and later offers the chance to learn more about these rare animals. It is truly a unique way to spend the day!”
Participation in the Zoo Run Run – virtually or in person – is a minimum $32 for zoo members and $35 for non-members and encouraged to fundraise more! Participants that complete the race will receive a finisher medal, post-race snacks and free zoo admission on race day. Those that bring in additional monetary donations can earn more Zoo Run Run swag such as a T-shirt, water bottle, fanny pack and more.
Start times will be staggered to prevent crowding and chip timing will be used to determine the top finishers. There will be additional prizes for the first and second place male, female and non-binary runners.
The event will also offer a Joey Jog Fun Run for ages 7 and younger at approximately 10 a.m. The fun run is one lap around the zoo and participants will receive a finisher medal.
All proceeds from the Zoo Run Run will go to support the zoo’s mission to connect people to the natural world by providing engaging guest experiences, exceptional animal care, and conservation education.
Your generosity also aids our conservation mission by helping us keep up with the cost of top-notch animal care:
⦁ $25 could help supply essential diet items, such as rats, quail or crickets to our animals at the zoo.
⦁ $50 could supply substrates such as sand for the flooring of different animal exhibit spaces.
⦁ $75 could buy enrichment items for the animals. For example, many of our animals benefit from dog toys as a form of enrichment.
⦁ $100 could supply features in animal exhibits, such as a rock pool, ropes or nest boxes.
⦁ $250 could buy heating pads and vapor lights to provide external heat for our animals to stay warm all year long.
⦁ $500 could help update exhibit spaces with technology like nest box cameras and UVB lights used to provide artificial sunlight in indoor exhibits.
“The team works hard every day to be ‘conservation in action’,” said Friends of the Zoo Executive Director Carrie Large. “From animal welfare – here and in the wild – to conservation education and creating “best day ever” experiences, your support of the run helps us achieve that!”
To sign up to be part of the Zoo Run Run, please visit https://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/zoo-run-run/.