Join the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and Fleet Feet Montclair for a wild morning of miles and fun!
📅 Sunday, October 18
⏰ 8:30 AM
📍 Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
Get ready to waddle, run, or walk your way through a 3.5-mile course (or take the 2ish mile Safari Shortcut) before crossing the finish line inside the Zoo for a one-of-a-kind celebration!
🎟️ Post-run Essex County Turtle Back Zoo admission is included with registration. Stick around after the run to explore and say hello to the animals.
🎁 The first 300 participants to register will receive custom pom-pom beanie (a $35 value)
This event is perfect for the whole family—whether you sprint like a cheetah, stroll like a tortoise, or waddle like a penguin, everyone’s invited to join the fun.
👟 Costumes, animal spirit, and family smiles are highly encouraged!
SPECTATING: Zoo members do not need to purchase a spectator pass to enter the Zoo early. Simply show proof of your valid Essex County Turtle Back Zoo membership at packet pick-up (either on Friday or event morning) for early admission.
PARTICIPANTS: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo members should use the $5 member promo code that was emailed by the Zoo when registering for the event. If you can't locate the email, please contact the Zoo or reach out to us before registering.
Early Pick-Up (Recommended!)
📍 Fleet Feet Montclair – 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043
📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Event Day Pick-Up
📍 Location TBA
📅 Sunday, October 18
⏰ 7:30 – 8:30 AM
Want to cheer on your family and friends at the finish line inside the Zoo?
Spectators will need an Official Spectator Pass to enter the Zoo early before it opens to the public. We’re offering a special discounted $10 rate (normally $22) so you can join the finish line celebration and explore the Zoo afterward.
Day of spectator passes will be available for purchase at the start and zoo entrance.
Please park in the lots and parking decks at the Turtle Back Zoo.
This is not an official race. There is no event timing. Details are subject to change.
Oct 18, 2026
Distance — Official Spectator Pass
Type — Running
08:30
$10.00
Oct 18, 2026
Distance — 4.8K
Type — Running
08:30
$40.00
Oct 18, 2026
Distance — 4.8K
Type — Running
08:30
$25.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for October in West Orange.
Learn more about the host city, West Orange.
West Orange is a suburban township in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 48,843, an increase of 2,636 (+5.7%) from the 2010 census count of 46,207, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,264 (+2.8%) from the 44,943 counted in the 2000 census.
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