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Run for the Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo)
Run for the Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo)
( 16 reviews )
87% of reviewers recommend this race
-
Chicago,
Illinois,
United States - June
- 3 miles/5K, 6 miles/10K, Virtual Race
- Road Race
- Event Website
See more of our race!
Nicole
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Nicole recommends this race
2015
" Better than last year, still has some issues"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Nicole 's thoughts:
This is my second year running the 5k option at Run for the Zoo (there is no 8k as described above; this year had 5k, 10k, and kids' run). Last year was kind of a nightmare due to my getting stuck (repeatedly) behind people on a somewhat narrow path for much of the course. Also, last year only the very end of the 5k was actually in the zoo, and you didn't see much of the zoo.
This year, there were definitely improvements to the 5k course. You got a great run through the length of the zoo at the beginning of the race, and then some more at the end -- about 5x more zoo than last year, I'd estimate -- and that was very cool. I love the zoo! But the crowding was still a big issue, and, even worse, the beginning portion of the course going through the zoo wasn't blocked off at all and people were just sort of wandering around the race course! So rude. I would really like to see the race organizers take the corrals more seriously. I started in the 10min/mi group and was running past walkers, including walkers with double-strollers, within a quarter mile. Come on, walkers -- you are more than welcome at events, but don't line up at the 8min/mi marker! Either that or the organizers should consider making this event a fun run rather than a race. I actually came close to a PR despite the crowding issues today, but it was still frustrating. There are also a ton of kids in this race; a lot of them have no problem keeping up but I definitely saw a few parents kind of dragging little ones along with them.
It started to rain pretty hard when I was in the second mile of the race, and lightning wasn't far behind, so unfortunately the 10k this year was cancelled due to weather. I was happy to finish, even in pouring rain, because the zoo is still awesome! I have a feeling I will run this event every year despite my frustrations with it, because it does have an undeniably fun aspect to it and I love supporting the Lincoln Park Zoo.
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Laura
Hi Nicole,
We have asked BibRave to remove the 8K option as it was incorrect. Thank you for your review. Each year we listen and try to make the race better. 2018 is Run for the Zoo's 40th anniversary, and we are rolling out NEW USATF-certified chip-timed courses. We hope you join us again!
Use code BIBRAVE to receive a 10% discount.