Ninja Format & Scoring
The Wild Ninja course is a 2-mile adventure featuring 42 obstacles grouped into 10 Animal Challenges around the zoo. Your goal is to accumulate points and achieve “Least Concern” status.
The challenges progressively intensify, with the final animal challenge boasting 9 obstacles to clear.
Here’s the twist – even if you fail one obstacle, you can still earn points by clearing the others within that same animal challenge.
How it works
The Basics
-
The Course: 10 Animal Challenges (42 obstacles). The first 7 challenges located around the zoo contain 3 obstacles each (Easy, Medium, Hard). Challenges 8–10 feature 6-9 advanced, Ninja-style obstacle sets located inside of the gym.
-
The Rules: You must complete obstacles in successive order for points.
-
The Goal: Maximize your score (Max: 42 points +1 link points bonus).
-
Tie-Breaker: Participants scoring 31+ points qualify for the Bald Eagle Bonus Speed Challenge (a 25’ rope climb, 80’ zipline, and descent).
Scoring
Scoring & Status
Your final point total determines your “Red List” status. Aim for the Least Concern (LC) status to prove you are unlikely to become “extinct” on the course!
The highest possible score is 43 points.
Red List Status
Your points determine your “Extinction” status:
-
37–43 Points: Least Concern (LC) — Winner!
-
31–36 Points: Near Threatened (NT)
-
25–30 Points: Vulnerable (VU)
-
19–24 Points: Endangered (EN)
-
13–18 Points: Critically Endangered (CR)
-
7–12 Points: Extinct in the Wild (EW)
-
0–6 Points: Extinct (EX)
Registration: Choose your Division
When registering, you must select one of two wave types. This determines how you are scored and your eligibility for prizes.
Registration: Choose your Division
When registering, you must select one of two wave types. This determines how you are scored and your eligibility for prizes.
Open Division
Lets have fun!- Obstacle Clear: 1 point
- Obstacle Fail: 1/2 point for attempting
- Prizes: not eligible for podium prizes
- Ranking: scored against open division only
Competition Division
Unleash the Beast!- Obstacle Clear: 1 point
- Obstacle Fail: 0 point
- Prizes: Eligible for podium prizes
- Ranking: scored against Competition division only
Animal Challenges
10 Animal Challenges
1. Giant Eland
Wall Jump: Climb over 4’.8”, 6’.8” and 9’.8” tall walls.
2. Python
Log Weave: Climb along a series of logs through 12′, 12′ and 26′ long patterns.
3. African Penguin
Oil Spill: Climb over 4′, 5′, and 6′ tall wall of tires.
4. Jaguar
Tree Hoist: Carry a 40lb weight onto a 4′, 5′ and 6′ tall tree branch.
5. Orangutan
Person of the Forest: Cross floating logs, various hand grips and a cargo net.
6. Snow Leopard
Leopard Logs: Balance your away across large, skinny, and wobbly logs.
7. Siamang
Brachiation: Brachiate across hanging rings 12′, 24′ and 90′ long.
8. Spider Monkey
6 Obstacle Set:
Bosu Balls, jungle swing, big spinning wheels, rock hopper, fly wheels, and spin cycle.
9. Black Mamba
6 Obstacle Set:
Floating bridge, rope climb, slide rail, fly bar, ninja beater, and salmon ladder.
10. Komodo Dragon
9 Obstacle Set:
Trapeze bars, Camelback, spinning wheels, tilting frame, wing nuts, devil rungs and warped walls: 10′, 12′ and 14.5′.
Tie Breaker: Bald Eagle
Bonus Speed Challenge.
This is for any participant that scores at least 31 points. Climb a 25′ rope, fly (zipline) 80′ over a mulch mountain, and descend 25′ as quickly as possible.
Spectator Map
Spectators
SPECTATORS
We love a loud cheering herd! Access to the course varies:
-
Event Venue Spectating (Free): Friends and family can view Animal Challenges 1 and 8–10 directly from the Event Venue.
-
Full Course Access Pass: Due to the nature of the 2-mile trail, spectators are not permitted to follow participants into the woods by default. However, you may purchase a Full Access Spectator Pass to follow your Ninja through the entire course.
Ninja Team Competition
Form a “Herd” of at least 2 men and 2 women to compete. We combine the scores of the top 2 men and top 2 women from your group to determine the team’s ranking.
View Race Results
Race results will be posted to our website after the completion of the competition.
