HENRY VILAS ZOO - RUN WILD 2025
- Date Sun 27th September 2026
- Time 8:00AM CDT
- Location Madison, Wisconsin
- Price $33.55 - $39.55
- Races 4 races
- Distances 5km, 10km, 1 Mile
Event summary
Get ready for an exciting and impactful event at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Dane on Sunday, September 27, 2026! Join us for the Run Wild 2025, a fantastic opportunity to support African wildlife rangers at the Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. This year, participants can choose between two exhilarating race distances: a 5k or a 10k, with the 10k kicking off at 8 AM, followed by the 5k run and walk at 8:15 AM. For the little ones, the Kids Fun Run will start at 9:30 AM, ensuring a fun-filled morning for the whole family!
Every runner and walker will receive a stylish Run Wild t-shirt, and all funds raised will directly benefit the Henry Vilas Zoo and the dedicated wildlife rangers working tirelessly to protect critically endangered species in a safe habitat. Race packets can be picked up at the zoo in advance, so be sure to grab yours early to guarantee your preferred shirt size. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable day of community, fitness, and conservation!
Every runner and walker will receive a stylish Run Wild t-shirt, and all funds raised will directly benefit the Henry Vilas Zoo and the dedicated wildlife rangers working tirelessly to protect critically endangered species in a safe habitat. Race packets can be picked up at the zoo in advance, so be sure to grab yours early to guarantee your preferred shirt size. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable day of community, fitness, and conservation!
Organiser's Description
For the second year in a row, we are running to support African wildlife rangers in the Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya! Everyone who runs or walks will receive a Run Wild t-shirt. You can sign up for Run Wild as a 5k or 10k distance. Join us at the Zoo on Sunday, September 28 for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year! The 5k and 10k races start just outside our South gate on Vilas Park Dr. The Kids Fun Run starts just outside our North gate.
**THE 10K RACE START AT 8AM. THE 5K RUN AND WALK STARTS AT 8:15AM. PARTICIPANTS WALKING OR PUSHING STROLLERS WILL BE ASKED TO LINE UP IN THE BACK OF THE QUEUE. THE KID'S FUN RUN BEGINS AT 9:30AM. **
RACE PACKETS MAY BE PICKED UP BEFORE THE RACE AT THE ZOO IN OUR GUEST SERVICES BUILDING FROM 10AM - 4PM STARTING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.
_** WE ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO PICK UP THEIR RACE PACKETS EARLY. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE SHIRT SIZES IF YOU WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE RACE TO PICK UP YOUR RACE PACKET.**_
All dollars raised at this year's race will directly support Henry Vilas Zoo and our wildlife conservation partner, the Ol Jogi Wildlife Rangers. Ol Jogi is a 58,000 acres wildlife conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. They focus on wildlife conservation by providing a safe habitat for indigenous and critically endangered species. Their wildlife rangers work closely with surrounding communities to assist them so they can derive support and benefits from this conservation work.
**THE 10K RACE START AT 8AM. THE 5K RUN AND WALK STARTS AT 8:15AM. PARTICIPANTS WALKING OR PUSHING STROLLERS WILL BE ASKED TO LINE UP IN THE BACK OF THE QUEUE. THE KID'S FUN RUN BEGINS AT 9:30AM. **
RACE PACKETS MAY BE PICKED UP BEFORE THE RACE AT THE ZOO IN OUR GUEST SERVICES BUILDING FROM 10AM - 4PM STARTING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.
_** WE ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO PICK UP THEIR RACE PACKETS EARLY. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE SHIRT SIZES IF YOU WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE RACE TO PICK UP YOUR RACE PACKET.**_
All dollars raised at this year's race will directly support Henry Vilas Zoo and our wildlife conservation partner, the Ol Jogi Wildlife Rangers. Ol Jogi is a 58,000 acres wildlife conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. They focus on wildlife conservation by providing a safe habitat for indigenous and critically endangered species. Their wildlife rangers work closely with surrounding communities to assist them so they can derive support and benefits from this conservation work.
Races
-
5K Run
Incl. $4.55 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 27th September 2026 (8:15AM CDT)
$39.55
OPENS 28 FEB 26This is a timed race. If you would prefer to walk or do not need to know your race time, please consider signing up for the 5k Walk. -
5K Walk
Incl. $4.55 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 27th September 2026 (8:15AM CDT)
$39.55
OPENS 18 MAR 26The 5K Walk is not timed. If you would prefer to know your exact race time, please select the run/walk option. This race starts at the same time as the 5K Run, but anyone walking will be asked to line up in the back of the starting area. -
10K Run
Incl. $4.55 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 27th September 2026 (8:00AM CDT)
$39.55
OPENS 18 MAR 26 -
Kids Fun Run
Incl. $3.55 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 27th September 2026 (9:30AM CDT)
$33.55
OPENS 18 MAR 26The race will start just outside of our north gate (Drake & Randall intersection). The route goes around Vilas Park and down Vilas Park Drive and the finish line is just inside the Zoo's south entrance. Spectators usually have enough time to cheer on their runner at the start and then get to the finish line by the time kids are finishing. We have cheerleaders and Zoo staff along the run route to guide runners. We are always looking for more cheerleaders to support our youngest runners. If you have a child running in this race and would like to volunteer as a course guide, please email: [email protected]
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702 S. Randall Ave, Madison, 53715, WI, United States
HENRY VILAS ZOO - RUN WILD 2025
