January is a time when collectively we look at ourselves and focus on any changes we’d like to make in the upcoming year. For a high majority of us, those changes have something to do with being healthier than we have been. For those of you that find yourself in that bucket, let me propose a way to involve zoos in the process of being healthier in 2019.
A popular fundraising event for zoo across the country is sponsoring a 5k race. While typically proceeds from the race support the zoo, most will also donate a portion (or most) of the proceeds to a charity that they support. Over the past several weeks we’ve compiled a list of zoos that are hosting 5k races in 2019 (most of which are in the midwest). Below are some thoughts on what to expect/why to run a zoo 5k in the upcoming year, and as promised the list of zoos and corresponding dates.
Why 5k at a Zoo?
- Interesting scenery – having run 5ks since I was 12, I can tell you that the most boring ones I’ve done are on blacktop roads in the country. Scenery (to me) is very important, as is a new place I haven’t run before. So running at the zoo solves this problem by giving you nice scenery and place you probably haven’t run at before.
- Free zoo admission – Most of these zoos will give you (and your carload) free admission for the day. This seems like a great opportunity to check out a zoo you haven’t been to yet.
- Supporting a good cause – most 5ks support really good causes – like cancer research or support for other charities. But supporting zoos is a great way of helping them have the resources to do what they do best. I personally enjoy this type of donation, even if the entry fee might be slightly higher than it would at a locally run race.
What to Expect:
- Crowds – Similar to when we wrote about attending “Boo at the Zoo” events around Halloween, I would expect a large crowd at a race like this. Many people will capitalize on the opportunities listed above, so hitting your stride might be a bit more difficult in this type of venue. But on the plus side, you’re pretty unlikely to be running alone during the race!
- More casual runners than competitive racers – If you’re an experienced racer looking to improve upon your PR, you might need to reduce your expectations. The crowds alone might make running your best race difficult. You’ll have a lot of walkers, as well as people that start sprinting from the starting line in hopes of the race shortening as they run. So if you run a zoo 5k and you’re a competitive racer, maybe schedule it as a tune-up to one of your larger races.
- Lots of entertainment/goodies – for the casual runner, the best part of 5ks is usually the after-party. Small, local races can usually only afford bananas, bagels, and a iphone DJ. But at an event like this, you can expect more of a party-like atmosphere with a decent spread, and lots of ways to stay hydrated.
- Unique – every race experience is different, and weather plays a huge part. I’d encourage you to give one of these events a try in 2019!
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