Run Wild Races
Next Event:
May 4, 2024
Metro Richmond Zoo, VA
Racing to save the endangered Baird Tapir
The 8th Bi-Annual Run Wild Race
May 4th, 2024 hosted at the Metro Richmond Zoo. Below are the race options for the upcoming event.
Run Wild:
1Mi
5k
10k
Ninja
Something For Everyone!
Run Wild Races has partnered with the Metro Richmond Zoo to bring fun and animal awareness to those who participate in our events while helping to raise animal conservation funds.
Come run, walk, or ninja your way around the zoo on Saturday, May 4th! Don’t forget to round up your herd; there is FUN for everyone. Choose from our 4 events: 1 Mile, 5k,10k, and Wild Ninja! Be sure to spot rhinos, zebras, cheetahs and other zoo animals along the race path! After you cross the finish line, each participant can visit the Zoo for FREE! Any spectators that come with you will receive a 10% discount off their zoo admission tickets for race day.
Race day countdown
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Events
Compare Events
Wild Mile
Wild Mile sprint is for all ages, but awards are only given out for children ages 4-11.
The majority of this course goes through the pathways of the zoo and includes a few all-terrain sections (gravel 5%, grass 20%, dirt 5%, pavement 70%). Parents can run with their children, but will also require a ticket. Children 3 and under do not need a ticket. Strollers are permitted but must be able to handle all-terrain.
Wild 5k
This all-terrain 5k starts through the inside of the zoo then spans the perimeter of the Zoo.
The course passes many off-site facilities such as the Cheetah Conservation Center. The all-terrain course consists of mostly dirt, mulch, and grass trails with some gravel and asphalt pathways. The trail has winding turns, some rolling hills, bridges over many creeks, beautiful views, a few steep hills, and sights of exotic wildlife.
Wild 10k
This all-terrain 10k starts through the inside of the zoo then spans the perimeter of the Zoo and around a horse farm.
The course passes many off-site facilities such as the Cheetah Conservation Center. The all-terrain course consists of mostly dirt, mulch, and grass trails with some gravel and asphalt pathways. The trail has winding turns, some rolling hills, bridges over many creeks, beautiful views, a few steep hills, and sights of exotic wildlife.
Wild Ninja
Wild Ninja is an obstacle course that is not timed, but scored on obstacle completion.
This approx. 2 mile obstacle course is not for the faint of heart. Participants face up to 42 challenging obstacles dispersed throughout the all-terrain trail. Some ninja obstacles are similar to those seen on the hit television series American Ninja Warrior. The obstacles represent real life challenges that animals encounter in the wild for the survival of their species.
Run Wild and support a Wild cause
100% of our net proceeds from this event will benefit:
The Endangered Baird Tapir
Gardeners of the Forest
The Baird’s Tapir is one of the world’s four tapir species, or “Ngarbing” as they are called in the Indigenous Rama language. It lives in Central America and parts of northwest South America. These tapirs, which can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh up to 550 pounds, are critically important to keeping forests healthy. As they range through forests eating more than 200 species of fruits and plants, they disperse seeds through their scat, helping forests regenerate. Their important role in keeping forests healthy has earned them the nickname, “gardeners of the forest.” Re:wild
Threats to Their Survival
The major threats to the species are habitat destruction and fragmentation and hunting throughout its range. Deaths have been recorded through collisions with automobiles, particularly in Belize.
Population Estimate (2006): Estimates suggest that there are less than 5,500 Baird’s tapir remaining in the wild, with populations in Mexico under 1,500, Guatemala under 1,000, Honduras under 500, Nicaragua under 500, Republic of Panama under 1,000, Costa Rica under 1000, and Colombia approximately 250. Populations of Baird’s tapir are in a continuing decline.
Baird Tapir – Metro Richmond Zoo
Kids Saving the Rainforest (KTSR) – Protect their Home – Costa Rica
BTSA Documentary with English subtitles. By Laurie Hedges
Why Run Wild Races?
Run Wild Races was started in the summer of 2020 by Justin Andelin, the Zoo Ninja.
“Fitness and competition have always been an important part of my upbringing. My competitive nature is what inspired me to apply and get onto the 10th season of American Ninja Warrior.
I had never previously been to a ninja gym to train on ninja obstacles for the required body control and awareness needed for success. Nevertheless, I was going to prove to myself that I could complete the obstacles. That was exactly my intention when I stepped onto the tv set in 2018. Needless to say, I was humbled by the third obstacle! Had I previously trained on ninja obstacles, I would have made it much further.
After being on the show, I realized that like myself, there are a lot of people that just want to try ANW style obstacles. Because there are not any ninja gyms in Richmond, I wanted to bring ANW styled obstacles for my community to try. I also wanted to improve on the slow format (1 person at a time) of ANW. My solution: Wild Ninja. I hope you enjoy it.”
Why the Mini, 5K, and the 10k?
“Simple. I like sprinting, and finding ways to improve my endurance for ninja warrior. I also wanted people to be able to race through the zoo around the animals!”
