Name: Run for the Zoo 2026
Start: 2026-05-31
End: 2026-05-31
Location: Chicago, Illinois

About the Event

For more than four decades, runners of all levels and abilities have been raising money to support Lincoln Park Zoo with Run for the Zoo, now in its 48th year! The race route is suitable for all experience levels and features a flat, scenic route that winds in and around the zoo, allowing for beautiful views of Chicago’s skyline, Lake Michigan, protected natural areas, and zoo habitats.

All participants receive:

Tech-blend shirt with 2026 animal theme
Special edition finisher medal
Digital swag bag
Access to the post-race party
(Wildlife Warriors only) Bonus piece of merch with 2026 animal theme
(Kids’ Course participants only) Kids’ Course T-shirt and medal
(Volunteers only) Crew T-shirt with 2026 animal theme

It costs $108,000 a day to fund Lincoln Park Zoo operations—everything from state-of-the-art animal care and global conservation work to interactive learning programs and groundbreaking scientific research. More than 80% of that operating cost is funded by memberships, donations, guest visits, and events like Run for the Zoo. Your participation helps keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and open to all, 365 days a year!

Races Offered

10K Run

May 31, 2026

straighten

Distance — 10K

terrain

Type — Road running

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07:30

10K Virtual

May 31, 2026

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Distance — 10K

terrain

Type — Road running

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07:30

5K Run

May 31, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

07:30

5K Virtual

May 31, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Road running

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07:30

5K Walk (Untimed)

May 31, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Road running

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07:30

Kids' Course

May 31, 2026

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Distance — Kids' Course

terrain

Type — Road running

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07:30

Wildlife Warrior (5K + 10K)

May 31, 2026

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Distance — 15K

terrain

Type — Road running

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07:30

Wildlife Warrior (5K + 10K) Virtual

May 31, 2026

straighten

Distance — Wildlife Warrior (5K + 10K) Virtual

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

07:30

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Chicago.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 11.2° / 20.5°

wb_sunny 7.6° / 17.9°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 17.3 /

water_drop 73.4%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 11.2° / 20.5°

wb_sunny 7.6° / 17.9°

air 17.3 km/h

water_drop 73.4%

About Chicago

Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles.