RUN WILD 5K is Back - Dash Through the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay on July 6

NOTE TO MEDIA: Images are available here. Photo credits are contained in the file names (example: Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium).

Powell, OH — Lace up your running shoes and join us for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's annual Run Wild 5K, presented by OhioHealth, on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 8 a.m. This exhilarating event, produced by M3S Sports, celebrates conservation efforts and offers participants of all ages an adventurous experience running through the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay waterpark.

Event Highlights

New Race Route: Runners and walkers will take a new 3.1-mile tour around select highlights of the Columbus Zoo before a splashing finish in the Zoombezi Bay Wild Tides Wave Pool.
Participant Perks
- Event t-shirt and finisher's medal
- Complimentary same-day admission to Zoombezi Bay
- Free race photos, courtesy of OhioHealth

Supporting Conservation

Run Wild directly supports the Columbus Zoo’s most pressing needs, ensuring exceptional animal care and enhancing world-class guest experiences. From habitat enhancements and veterinary care to education programs that inspire future conservationists, contributions help sustain the Zoo’s mission every day. This support also drives critical wildlife conservation efforts worldwide. By participating in Run Wild, individuals make a lasting impact—both at the Zoo and across the globe—playing a vital role in protecting and caring for wildlife today and for future generations.

Registration Details

Entry Fees
- $55 through May 15
- $60 from May 16 through June 15
- $65 from June 16 until the event on July 6 (or until sold out)
Group Discount: Register three or more participants simultaneously to receive $15 off
Spectator Tickets: Available for $25 per person, limited to two per runner, on a first-come, first-served basis. Spectator Tickets will be required to watch runners cross the finish line. Details on how to purchase these tickets will be sent to registered participants closer to race day.

Children over the age of 3 years must be registered, and strollers are welcome on the course. All participants must complete the run by 9 a.m. when the Zoo opens to the public. The event will proceed rain or shine, so please prepare accordingly.

For more information and to register, visit the Columbus Zoo’s event page.

For additional information about the Columbus Zoo’s events, conservation initiatives, educational programs, and more, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org.

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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Home to more than 600 animal species from around the world, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.