Wild Strides 5K Presented by Triangle
- Date Tue 21st April 2026
- Time 6:00PM EDT
- Location Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Price $38.10 - $69.90
- Races 4 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join the excitement at the Wild Strides 5K on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Kent! Celebrate Earth Day at this vibrant event hosted at the John Ball Zoo, where runners, walkers, families, and conservation enthusiasts unite to support wildlife preservation. The 5K course starts at the Zoo, winds along the picturesque Kent Trail, and culminates inside the Zoo, offering participants breathtaking views of the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival displays.
All 5K participants will receive an official race t-shirt, a finisher medal, and a ticket to the 2026 Lantern Festival, making this race a memorable experience for everyone involved. Young runners can also join in the fun with the Wolverine Worldwide Youth Half-Mile, designed especially for kids, complete with their own race t-shirt and finisher medal. Get ready for a lively pre- and post-race celebration starting at 5:30 PM, featuring face painting, inflatables, music, and delicious food from local favorites like Taquero Mucho Food Truck, Pizza Parliament, and Kona Ice. With free parking for all participants and a festive atmosphere, Wild Strides is not just a race; it's a community celebration of conservation and the great outdoors!
All 5K participants will receive an official race t-shirt, a finisher medal, and a ticket to the 2026 Lantern Festival, making this race a memorable experience for everyone involved. Young runners can also join in the fun with the Wolverine Worldwide Youth Half-Mile, designed especially for kids, complete with their own race t-shirt and finisher medal. Get ready for a lively pre- and post-race celebration starting at 5:30 PM, featuring face painting, inflatables, music, and delicious food from local favorites like Taquero Mucho Food Truck, Pizza Parliament, and Kona Ice. With free parking for all participants and a festive atmosphere, Wild Strides is not just a race; it's a community celebration of conservation and the great outdoors!
Organiser's Description
Celebrate Earth Day with John Ball Zoos WILD STRIDES 5K PRESENTED BY TRIANGLE! This unique evening event brings together runners, walkers, families, and conservation enthusiasts to support the Zoos mission of saving wildlife and wild places.
The 5K course begins at the Zoo and joins the scenic Kent Trail and finishes inside the Zoo, running past the stunning Grand Rapids Lantern Festival displays for a truly one-of-a-kind race experience. All 5K participants receive an official race t-shirt, finisher medal, and a ticket to attend the 2026 Lantern Festival.
Young runners can participate in the WOLVERINE WORLDWIDE YOUTH HALF-MILE, a fun and energetic race designed just for kids. Youth participants receive a race t-shirt and finisher medal.
The celebration begins at 5:30 PM with a lively pre- and post-race party featuring face painting, inflatables, music and local favorites TAQUERO MUCHO FOOD TRUCK, PIZZA PARLIAMENT AND KONA ICE. Come early, stay late, and enjoy the full Wild Strides experience.
Wild Strides is more than just a race its a celebration of community, conservation, and kicking off Earth Day together.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Tuesday, April 21
LOCATION: John Ball Zoo: 1300 Fulton Street West, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
SCHEDULE:
* Packet Pickup & Pre Race Festivities - 5:00 PM
* Kids Half Mile - 6:00 PM
* 5K Race - 7:00 PM
* 5K Fun Run/Walk - 7:10 PM
PARKING: All participants should park in the John Ball Zoo parking lots
* Parking is free for all participants and spectators.
* When you arrive, you may need to take a ticket at the gate, but no payment or validation is required.
* Exit gates will open automatically on race night.
* Please follow directional signage and staff guidance
* We recommend arriving early to allow time for parking & check-in
The 5K course begins at the Zoo and joins the scenic Kent Trail and finishes inside the Zoo, running past the stunning Grand Rapids Lantern Festival displays for a truly one-of-a-kind race experience. All 5K participants receive an official race t-shirt, finisher medal, and a ticket to attend the 2026 Lantern Festival.
Young runners can participate in the WOLVERINE WORLDWIDE YOUTH HALF-MILE, a fun and energetic race designed just for kids. Youth participants receive a race t-shirt and finisher medal.
The celebration begins at 5:30 PM with a lively pre- and post-race party featuring face painting, inflatables, music and local favorites TAQUERO MUCHO FOOD TRUCK, PIZZA PARLIAMENT AND KONA ICE. Come early, stay late, and enjoy the full Wild Strides experience.
Wild Strides is more than just a race its a celebration of community, conservation, and kicking off Earth Day together.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Tuesday, April 21
LOCATION: John Ball Zoo: 1300 Fulton Street West, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
SCHEDULE:
* Packet Pickup & Pre Race Festivities - 5:00 PM
* Kids Half Mile - 6:00 PM
* 5K Race - 7:00 PM
* 5K Fun Run/Walk - 7:10 PM
PARKING: All participants should park in the John Ball Zoo parking lots
* Parking is free for all participants and spectators.
* When you arrive, you may need to take a ticket at the gate, but no payment or validation is required.
* Exit gates will open automatically on race night.
* Please follow directional signage and staff guidance
* We recommend arriving early to allow time for parking & check-in
Races
-
5K Run
Incl. $4.90 Fee & T-Shirt
Tue 21st April 2026 (7:00PM EDT)
$69.90
CLOSED5K participants will receive a race t-shirt, finishers medal, and ticket to attend the 2026 Grand Rapids Lantern Festival. -
5K Fun Run/Walk
Incl. $4.90 Fee & T-Shirt
Tue 21st April 2026 (7:10PM EDT)
$69.90
CLOSED5K participants will receive a race t-shirt, finishers medal, and ticket to attend the 2026 Grand Rapids Lantern Festival. -
Wolverine Worldwide Kids Half Mile
Incl. $3.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Tue 21st April 2026 (6:00PM EDT)
$38.10
CLOSEDChild participants will receive a race t-shirt and finishers medal. If needed, one adult is welcome to participate in the half mile to assist their child(ren). -
Virtual Participation
Incl. $3.40 Fee & T-Shirt
$43.40
CLOSEDVirtual 5K participants will receive a race t-shirt, finishers medal, and ticket to attend the 2026 Grand Rapids Lantern Festival. The items will be mailed to you upon your request - please contact wildstrides@jbzoo.org to coordinate.
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1300 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, 49504, MI, United States
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Wild Strides 5K Presented by Triangle
