Run Wild!

Come on out to the zoo to Run Wild on Sunday, September 29, 2019! This year is all about you: our community! Tell us who you are running for – is it your kids so that they can have polar bears in their future, or your grandparents who listened to lions roaring here when they were kids? Or is it your favorite zoo animal? From 10K and 5K distances to our Wild Child Fun Run, there is a way for everyone to get out and Run Wild!

Registration is still open! Click to find out more!

5K Run/Walk Route – Travels through the Vilas neighborhood

– Start East of Zoo Bridge Gate (9) across from Vilas Park Beach
– Run West along Vilas Park Drive
– Left onto Edgewood Drive
– Right onto Woodrow
– Right onto Monroe Street
– Right on Edgewood Avenue
– Left of Vilas Avenue
– Right on Grant Street
– Go straight/slight left onto Drake Street
– Right on Wingra Street
– Left on Erin Street
– Right on Mills Street
– Right on Vilas Park Drive
– Finish inside the Zoo on Vilas Park Drive through Gate 6

10K Run/Walk Route – Travels through the UW Arboretum

– Start East of Zoo Bridge Gate across from Vilas Park Beach
– Run West along Vilas Park Drive
– Left onto Edgewood Drive
– Right onto Woodrow
– Left onto Monroe Street
– Left to enter Wingra Park on path (near Commonwealth intersection)
– Straight on Arbor Drive
– Left onto Monroe path
– Turn left, continuing on path along Nakoma Rd
– Left onto Manitou Way
– Left onto Seminole Hwy
– Left into Arboretum (stay on the left facing traffic)
– Continue through Arboretum
– Left out of Arboretum
– Left on N Wingra Drive (which turns into Vilas Park Drive)
– Finish inside the Zoo coming in Gate 6

Wild Child Fun Run

Kids can sign up to run a half mile course through the zoo, or sign up for a full mile race along beautiful Lake Wingra.