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, gharials are our featured species.

The WCS Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo takes place on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

The 5K run start time is at 8am. 5K participants must enter via the Southern Boulevard entrance starting at 7am, 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 9:30am. 3K participants must enter via the Bronx River entrance starting at 8:30am, and should wait in the Bronx River check in area until the 9:30am 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
• $95 Includes $35 fundraising minimum

• Individual Child Ages 3-15
• $45

• Individual Senior Ages 65+
• $85 Includes $35 fundraising minimum

• WCS Member Adult Ages 16-64
• $80 Includes $35 fundraising minimum

• WCS Member Child Ages 3-15
• $30

• WCS Member Senior Ages 65+
• $70 Includes $35 fundraising minimum

• Virtual Runner
• $40

All adults (16 and older) and senior registrants must also raise at least $35 before the event in order to participate.

• Entrance to either the 5K or 3K Family Fun Run/Walk
• Complimentary Bronx Zoo Admission, including all rides and 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 Dinosaur Safari, which opens at 12pm

Registered children (ages 3-15) can participate in the 3K Family Run/Walk at 9:30 am and must be accompanied by a registered adult (18 & over). Children 2 & under are free.

Yes, you can walk with a stroller in the Family Fun Run/Walk, however if you are participating in the 5K run at 8:00 am, 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.

No, registration is online only. Pledges must be received by mail or credit card transaction prior to April 26, 2025.

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 Run 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 31, April 7, and April 14, 2025) who have met their fundraising requirement prior to April 4, 2025. Individuals who registered themselves and have not met their fundraising requirement prior to the April 4 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 14 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.

9:30am 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 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 26, 2025 must be a registered RFTW 5K or 3K participant. If a 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 attractions for the day.

Adults and seniors must meet their required $35 fundraising minimum for wildlife in order to receive a 2025 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.

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. You can also visit Dinosaur Safari, which opens at 12pm.

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 (16+) and seniors 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 4, 2025, 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.

All pledges must be received in advance of April 26, 2025 by mail or by credit card transaction to be reflected on your participant page. If you plan on dropping off pledges on the day of the Run, there will be a table set up at the fundraising prize pick up area the Schiff Great Family 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, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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.

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

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 either need to print your fundraising total from your fundraising page and bring it with you on the day of the Run to claim your prize(s) or log into the app and display it on your phone. Prizes will be available during post-run activities in the zoo. There will be a pick-up area until 12:00pm near the Finish Line, at the Schiff Great Family Hall located on Astor Court. If you are dropping off donations on site, you will receive an updated certificate reflecting your qualified level of prizes at the Donation Tent.

Activity Points prizes will also be available at the Schiff Great Family Hall. You'll need to show your prize notification email to redeem.

*Remember, fundraising prizes are awarded to individuals, not teams.

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

Prizes for Virtual Participants will be mailed the week of April 28th.

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 WCS 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460 attention: RFTW. 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 1/21/25 at 12:00am ET. Ends 4/20/25 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 21st.

Prizes will be available for pickup at the Schiff Great Family Hall on April 26th. 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.