The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Run for the Wild is a 5K Run and a 3K Family Fun Run/Walk held at the Bronx Zoo in support of WCS' work to help save wildlife and wild places. This year, red pandas are our featured species.

The WCS Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The 5K run start time is at 8:00am. 5K participants must enter via the Southern Boulevard entrance starting at 7:00am, and should allow at least 30 minutes to check in and make their way to the start line.

The 3K Family Run/Walk start time is at 9:00am. 3K participants must enter via the Bronx River entrance starting at 8:00am, and should wait in the Bronx River check in area until the 9:00am 3K start time.

The 5K and the 3K Run/Walk start at the Bronx River location. You may also participate on your own virtually.

• Individual Adult Ages 16-64
• $60 $50* through Jan 27

• Individual Child Ages 3-15
• $45 $35 through Jan 27

• Individual Senior Ages 65+
• $50 $40* through Jan 27

• WCS Member Adult Ages 16-64
• $45 $35* through Jan 27

• WCS Member Child Ages 3-15
• $30 $20 through Jan 27

• WCS Member Senior Ages 65+
• $35 $25* through Jan 27

• Virtual Runner
• $40

*All participants ages 16+ must meet the $35 minimum fundraising requirement in order to participate.

• Entrance to either the 5K Run or 3K Family Fun Run/Walk
• Complimentary Bronx Zoo Admission, including all Rides and Star Attractions, and parking for the entire day
• Day-of discount at Bronx Zoo stores and restaurants
• Exclusive post-run activities including light grab-and-go refreshments
• A commemorative WCS Run for the Wild t-shirt and finisher medal
• Access to full schedule of events for the day, including opening day for the Wild Asia monorail which opens at 10:30am

Registered children (ages 3-15) can participate in the 3K Family Run/Walk at 9:00am and must be accompanied by a registered adult (18 & over). Children 2 & under are free (T-Shirts and medals are not provided for children under 2).

Yes, you can walk with a stroller in the Family Fun Run/Walk, however if you are participating in the 5K run at 8:00am, you must line up at the back of the group to start.

No. Both the 5K and 3K Run/Walk are non-competitive runs, however we encourage runners with children to join the Family 3K Run/Walk which is geared for running or walking at your own pace and a shorter distance. We encourage you to time yourself as there will be no time clocks available.

The 5K course is five kilometers, or 3.1 miles. The 3K course is 3 kilometers, or 1.86 miles. Both are set within Bronx Zoo grounds.

No. There will be no day-of registration available due to limited capacities. You must be a registered participant (and have met the minimum fundraising amount, $35) prior to arrival. You are welcome to register as a participant and proceed directly to the finish line if you do not plan to walk or run. Fundraising is still required.

No, registration is online only. Pledges must be received by mail or credit card transaction prior to April 25, 2026.

There are no refunds on registration fees or donations for WCS Run for the Wild. This event is rain or shine.

Due to capacity limitations per course selection, you will not be permitted to switch courses or times. The bib you receive corresponds to the course you requested. In certain circumstances, exceptions can be made with prior permission from WCS staff. Arrival directions differ by course selection, please be prepared to follow those directions.

All bibs and t-shirts will be mailed to individuals (during the weeks of March 30, April 6, and April 13, 2026) who have met their fundraising requirement prior to April 5, 2026. Individuals who registered themselves and have not met their fundraising requirement prior to the April 5 deadline will be charged the remainder on the credit card used during registration (this applies to adults and seniors). Participants who registered on or after April 13 will pick up their race bibs and t-shirts on the day of the Run with valid proof of registration and fundraising minimum. If you registered a participant, please help to ensure they have completed their fundraising minimum and that their email address is properly recorded.

All participants, including children, must be prepared to show proof of registration and fundraising where applicable. Participants picking up race day materials should proceed to the pickup location with proof of registration. Refer to pre-race communications for more information.

8:00am 5K Participants will arrive via the Southern Boulevard and walk to the Start line. There will be signs and staff along the way to get you to the Start Line. Get directions via Google maps.

9:00am participants for the 3K Family Run/Walk MUST use the Bronx River Entrance. 3K participants should wait in the Bronx River check in area for their race to start. Get directions via Google maps.

Parking & Entrances Please plan to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your start time.

Please note that the Asia Entrance and Fordham Road Gate to the Zoo will not be open for Run. Mass transit users for #2 and #5 trains, use the Pelham Parkway/White Plains stop. Check with MTA schedules in advance.

There will be no spectators permitted. All guests on April 25, 2026 must be a registered RFTW 5K or 3K participant. If a registered participant does not plan or running or walking, they may proceed directly to the finish line after their selected course time has started. Fundraising is still required.

No, your registration fee includes complimentary Bronx Zoo Admission, parking and all access to Rides and Star Attractions for the day.

All participants 16+ must meet their required $35 fundraising minimum for wildlife in order to receive a 2026 WCS Run for the Wild T-shirt (registration fee for children ages 3-15 includes t-shirt). Sizes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. (Registration fee does not count toward fundraising requirement.)

Light refreshments will be available to participants at the post-run activity center in Fountain Circle.

The run will take place rain or shine. Please dress prepared for the weather. Protective rain gear will not be provided, please prepare to bring your own. We will be unable to provide park tickets for another day.

All participants will be subject to bag searches at all points of entry to the Bronx Zoo. In order to expedite the process, we strongly advise that you limit what you bring into the park and if possible, leave items in your vehicle. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

No, bag checks will not be available. Participants may return to their vehicles after the race and reenter the zoo with a visible race bib.

Of course! Stay the day to unwind, meet our animals, and enjoy our restaurants and shops. Your registration fee includes admission to the Bronx Zoo which includes special attractions such as JungleWorld, Congo Gorilla Forest, Nature Trek, and the Children's Zoo.

There will be a First Aid tent at the finish area to care for any minor injuries as well as an on-site ambulance for more serious injuries. The First Aid station within the zoo will follow regular operating hours.

For the 5K, runners line up behind the starting line according to their minute per mile pace.

There is a minimum requirement of $35 for adults (ages 16-64) and seniors (ages 65+) and we also suggest an individual fundraising goal of $300.

If you registered yourself and do not meet the $35 fundraising requirement prior to April 5, 2026, the remainder of the requirement will be charged to the credit card that you used during registration. Please note runners who are part of a team need to have their fundraising requirement credited to their individual fundraising page. If you registered someone else, please help to ensure they have completed their fundraising minimum and that their email address is properly recorded. Without a unique email address properly recorded, participants signed up by someone else will not be informed of their fundraising status or important pre-race communications.

If you plan on dropping off donations on the day of the Run, there will be a table set up at the fundraising prize pick-up area in the Schiff Family Great Hall.

No. Your registration fee does not apply toward fundraising prizes.

No. Fundraising prizes are awarded to individuals who meet the required level to earn that prize.

No. Fundraising prizes can only be earned by individuals, not teams.

Please contact runforthewild@wcs.org or call 718-220-5112 Monday - Sunday, 9:00am - 5:00pm. Please allow one business day for response.

Yes, in the event that a gift needs to be reassigned, please email runforthewild@wcs.org. Please note that we cannot split a single donation to multiple participants. Please allow one business day for response. Any fundraising allocation changes can only be made before April 24, 2026.

Yes, Please check with your employer about matching your gift to the WCS Run for the Wild. Matching gift forms can be emailed to devcontribs@wcs.org or mailed to

Wildlife Conservation Society
2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460
Attn: WCS Run for the Wild

If you have qualified for prizes based on your personal fundraising success, you will need to show your individual participant page and fundraising status on the day of the Run to claim your prize(s). You may show your participant on your phone, or staff at the prize pick up area can assist with looking up your status. Prizes will be available during post-run activities at the pick-up area until 12pm in the Schiff Family Great Hall located on Astor Court. If you are dropping off donations on site, you will receive an upgrade form reflecting your new prize level at the prize pick-up area.

*Reminder: fundraising prizes are awarded to individuals, not teams.

Yes, fundraising prizes can be mailed, however please note there will be a shipping fee.

Fundraising prizes for Virtual Participants will be mailed the week of April 27th.

Yes. Donations will only be processed in the prize pick up area at the Schiff Great Family Hall located on Astor Court for upgrading prizes.

Yes, you can mail your checks to

Wildlife Conservation Society
2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460
Attn: WCS Run for the Wild

Make checks payable to WCS Run for the Wild. We can also accept checks in the prize pick up area.

*All checks must be listed on your fundraising page prior to the event date.

As part of the WCS Run for the Wild 2025 Points & Prizes Sweepstakes, activity points are points that are earned in the days leading up to the run for doing things like posting pictures/videos, sharing on social media, and telling a story - as well as fundraising and recruiting friends and family to participate. Every activity you complete gets you closer to being entered for a chance to win prizes.* Be sure to check out the activities in the "Manage My Page" section of your personal page and complete them to earn points. See sweepstakes Official Rules, which include an alternative way to enter the sweepstakes by email.

Note, if you opt out of the sweepstakes by sending an email to RunfortheWild@wcs.org as described in the Official Rules, you can still complete activities and earn points.

*Open to legal residents of the 50 US and DC, 18 years and older. Sweepstakes starts 1/20/26 at 12:00am ET. Ends 4/20/26 at 11:59pm ET. No purchase or other consideration required. Void where prohibited. Restrictions may apply. Please see Official Rules for more information, including an alternative way to enter.

Winners will be notified the week of April 20th.

Prizes will be available for pickup at the Schiff Great Family Hall on April 25th. You'll need to show your prize notification email. If you are unable to attend the event, prizes will be emailed or mailed and, if mailed, there will not be a shipping fee.

For winners who are virtual participants or who entered the sweepstakes through email, prizes will be emailed or mailed.