If you have not received race materials yet, donít worry! You can still participate. Be prepared to show your participant page and make sure youíve met your fundraising minimum to pick up your materials on the day of the Run. Check your participant status here.
Your race starts at 8AM. You must enter through the Southern Boulevard entrance and make your way to the start line. Southern Boulevard gates will open at 7AM, guides and signs will lead you to the start area. Once you complete the 5K Race, please keep the course clear for 3K participants. Get directions via Google Maps.
Your race starts at 9:30AM. You must enter through the Bronx River entrance. Bronx River gates will open at 8:30AM. You are required to stay on the 3K course path and complete the race before visiting any animal exhibits. Please do not exit the course until it is completed. Get directions via Google Maps.
As always, we strongly encourage you to be green and carpool or use public transportation. Together, we can make a difference!
If arriving by subway, take the #2 train to the Pelham Parkway/White Plains Road stop. Walk west to the Bronx River entrance (closest location to registration). We strongly recommend finding transit options to the Bronx River Entrance.
Please note that the Asia Entrance will be closed, and anyone taking mass transit should not use the West Farms Square/East Tremont subway stop.
The finish line closes promptly at 11:30 a.m. All post run activities are available until 12 p.m. Your registration includes all star attractions.
There will be no onsite day of Run registration available, and spectators are not permitted. Tickets are available to reserve online beginning at 1pm for anyone who is not a participant of the Run for the Wild. You must be a registered participant prior to 4/26/2024 who has met your fundraising minimum to participate.
Your safety while participating in the WCS Run for the Wild is our greatest concern. We are asking for your cooperation with security procedures and advising that all participants 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. You can return to your vehicle after the race to retrieve your belongings, just make sure to keep your race bib on. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
If you have received your race materials (bib and shirt) already, you are not required to check in and can proceed to the start line after having any bags inspected.
If you have not received your materials in the mail, please see the below instructions.
Check your fundraising status or show your participant page by searching for your name here.
A Bronx Zoo map showing the parking entrances, starting line, and Run course is available here.
Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. for the 8:00 a.m. 5K Run and at 8:30 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. Family Fun Run/Walk. Check-in closes at 8:10 a.m. for the 5K Run and at 9:40 a.m. for the Family Fun Run/Walk.
Check-in procedure will depend on whether you reached your $35 minimum fundraising requirement.
You should have already received your bib and t-shirt in the mail. Your race bib will serve as your ID to get into the Bronx Zoo and you can proceed directly to the start area. In the event that you have not received it by mail, please check in at the Day-of T-Shirt and Bib Pick-Up Tent.
Please report to the Day-of T-Shirt and Bib Pick-Up Tent at the Bronx River Parking Lot. You may have received a bib with a tab in the mail. Please visit the day-of t-shirt pick up tent to have staff remove your tab and provide you with a shirt. T-shirts will also be available post run on Astor Court. You will need to show your prize notification email or fundraising page to receive your bib and t-shirt. T-shirts will also be available post run on Astor Court.
Upon entering, please report to the Bib Pick-Up Tent You will be required to submit your fundraising minimum or show proof that you have met the minimum in order to receive your bib. Without a bib, you will not be permitted to participate in the Run or have access to the zoo exhibits. In the event that we need to expedite the check-in process, you may be asked to pick up your t-shirt after the Run on Astor Court.
Please make sure your race bib is visible at all times. Your race bib allows you admission to the zoo, unlimited rides and attractions, access to the refreshment area, music/games, plus a 10% discount at the Bronx Zoo gift shops, and other perks.
All participants please keep in mind that this race will feature staggered starts to improve the flow of runners on the course. Look for the pace group signs (7 MIN, 8 MIN, 9 MIN, 10 MIN +) posted along the start line. Faster runners to the front! Once within your predicted pace group, wait until your wave is directed to start the run. The waves will be released at regular intervals, with the first wave (7 MIN pace group) leaving at the first starting horn, followed by an additional starting horn for each subsequent start. Because this event is not a competitive or official timed race, runners' race net times will NOT be recorded from when they cross the start and finish line. Please clock yourself and take note of the time you cross both the start and finish line for an accurate 5K time.
We ask that you adhere to all staff instructions and posted signs, and remain only on the running lane. Your safety is our greatest concern. Please keep the course clear after completing your race for participants in the 9:30 a.m. 3K run/walk.
The WCS Run for the Wild schedule and a listing of post-Run activities is available at the WCS Run for the Wild website.
There will be no bag check. Participants may return to their cars to collect belongings once their race is completed, as long as race bibs are clearly worn. Any bags being brought into the Zoo must be inspected by security staff prior to lining up at the start line.
Strollers are permitted in both the 8 a.m. 5K Run and the 9:30 a.m. 3K Family Fun Run/Walk. Those with strollers are required to stand towards the end of the starting line for both races.
Please be advised that the WCS Run for the Wild event will be photographed, filmed or videotaped, or otherwise recorded for future use. WCS and its sponsors have the non-exclusive right to record your likeness participating in the Run for the Wild event and to use your likeness in all media worldwide in perpetuity, without remuneration, for WCS's and its sponsors institutional, educational, and promotional purposes.
There will be no spectators permitted. All morning guests on April 27, 2024 must be a registered RFTW 5K or 3K participant. Tickets are available to reserve online beginning at 1pm for anyone who is not a participant of the Run for the Wild.
Your race bib gives you access to the post run activities. Refreshments will be available near the finish line at Fountain Circle, you can find entertainment such as music, games, dancing, and costumed characters on Astor Court, play Animal Trivia at Dancing Crane Plaza, watch a Wildlife Theater performance at Giraffe Corner, and more! Find the full schedule of activities here.
The cash and check donations that you've collected can be handed in at the Pledge Tent, located in the Bronx River parking entrance, or after the race inside the Schiff Family Great Hall. You can also make additional cash, check or credit card donations that will count toward your fundraising prizes.
If you have qualified for prizes based on your personal fundraising success, you will need to show your Personal Page status on the day of the Run to claim your prize(s). You must claim your own prizes, other participants will not be able to collect them on your behalf. Prizes will be available during post-Run activities in the zoo. You can pick up your prizes at the Schiff Family Great Hall, located behind the Madagascar! exhibit until 12:30pm. If you are dropping off donations on site, you will receive an updated certificate reflecting your qualified level of prizes at the Pledge Tent or inside the Schiff Family Great Hall. Click here to see the fundraising prizes.
If you have donations from a Facebook fundraiser that are not reflected in your Run for the Wild total, show proof of donations using your phone or bring a printout of the donations and present it at the Pledge Tent.
*Remember, fundraising prizes are awarded to individuals, not teams.
Top Runner Prizes: The first three men and first three women at the 5K Run to cross the finish line will receive prizes. We ask that you are available for photos at the Winner's Circle.