Running through the zoo sounds like a fun magical thing to do, and maybe some day this one will be more fun. I really wanted to enjoy this, but for me it was a headache.

No expo for the 5k which was fine. Shirt and packet pickup was the day before or day of. Race management warned about potential traffic issues, but man was it bad! We were a mile away from the start at 7am and ended up parking and walking because if we waited to park at the zoo, we would have missed the 8am gun.

There were a lot of people ready to start at 8am in the corral, but so many folks were still getting packets and trying to park. So unannounced they held us in the corral. About 8:10am, they announced they were letting more people get registered, parked, etc. We ended up gunning off after 820. I was in corral B as marked by my bib, but lots of younger kids and strollers started in front of us.

Once entering into the zoo, it becomes a dodging event on sidewalks and narrow roads, with runners, walkers, strollers, and kids in a VERY crowded area. It does finally thin out around mile 1.5. There are hills on the course-surprise! It was a nice change besides the flat and crowded sidewalks.

At the end was your medal and a decent amount of snacks and goodies. Getting out of the race wasn't an issue for me because I parked almost a mile away, but I know many struggled trying to get out of zoo parking.

During the event, folks were taking pictures and there was a picture station taking photos. The race website keeps saying pictures will be available "next week," but we have still yet to see any!! This is really disheartening for those running with their kids in costumes.

I don't recommend this race until they figure out the logistics of parking and course in the zoo. There is a race later on that runs the zoo in the fall that is less crowded and much more organized.