4-Mile Course: NEW FINISH LINE: Due to construction and the growth of the event, the 4-mile course has changed slightly and will finish near the Tram Station. The 4-Mile start line is located on Starlight Drive, just East of the Meyer entrance. The racecourse will head West up around the Parks and Recreation building and head down into the Zoo. Once inside the Zoo, the course will turn RIGHT to go into Africa. Returning out of Africa, the course will proceed onto the shortcut from Africa through the KidZone area into Australia. Then, it will head back by the Polar Bear Passage, continue straight down to the shortcut and turn right down past the Flamingos, then turn right down the Tram road to the finish line.

4 Mile Registration:

• Before 9/05  - $29.00
• Late Registration 9/06 - 9/15 =$35.00 (postmarked by 9/13 if mailed)
• Walk in registration at packet pick up 9/16 =$35.00
• Race Day registration 9/17 = $40.00

View Course Map 

NEW FOR 2011:
Wave schedule:

• 8:30 am – 4 Mile Elite Athlete wave
• 8:40 am – 4 Mile main start –we will offer pace signs to line up according to your 4 Mile pace.  For Strollers, non-competitive wheel chairs and walkers, please also look for pace signs.

Elite wave: To qualify for the 4 mile elite wave, your time must be sub-27 minutes for men and be sub-32 minutes for women.  Please arrive at the start line no later than 8:20 am.

Main start wave: This wave will be start 10 minutes after the Elite wave, with pacing signs to line runners up according to time.  If you choose to run with others, please line up according to the slower time. With the race growing as it is and with the paths and walkways so narrow, for safety reasons, we have added the waves and pacing.

Non-competitive Stroller and Non-competitive wheel chair participants:Please look for the pace signs when lining up for the 4 Mile.  The main wave will include all non-elite participants.  No running or jogging with strollers/joggers allowed.

1-Mile Course: Strollers are allowed for WALKERS ONLY and Non-competitive wheel chairs.  No running or jogging with strollers/joggers allowed. The Mile course will start across from the Elephant Overlook going straight down toward the Cheetah exhibit in Africa. It will then turn back and go through the African market, back up the hill, turning right at the shortcut, then left down by the Flamingos, the right down by the Tram Station.

1 Mile Registration

• Before 9/05 =$14.00
• Late Registration 9/6 - 9/15 =$16.00 (postmarked by 9/13 if mailed)
• Walk in registration at packet pick up 9/16 =$16.00
• Race Day registration 9/17 = $20.00

Warm Up: No warm up will be allowed inside the Zoo. All warm up and cool down should take place outside the Zoo in Swope Park.

Participant Safety : Please note if it has rained or there is dew from the night before, some of the wooden bridges and walkways could be slippery, so please take caution. For the safety of all participants, radio headsets, roller skates, roller blades, bicycles and dogs are NOT allowed on the course, with the exception of strollers or joggers allowed for walkers in the 4 mile and the 1 mile event. If first aid is needed, contact Zoo Personnel. The Zoo Run course is like a trail run and has some narrow pathways and irregular pavement. Please make sure you stay to your right at all times, and please yield to runners who will be coming from behind.

Aid Stations: Water and sports drinks will be provided at 3 Aid Stations throughout the course. See map for specific locations.

Bibs: Please wear your bib on your front side for photos. Your bib is your Zoo ticket for the day of the event. Make sure you have it with you if you need to leave and come back.

Chip Timing : Chip timing will be used in the 4-Mile event. The stroller heat in the 4 Mile will not be timed. The 1-Mile event will not be timed.

Late Registration/Packet Pickup :

Garry Gribble's Running Sports (Ward Parkway Mall)
85th & State Line, KCMO
Friday, September 16th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Packet Pickup:

Kansas City Zoo main entrance
Saturday, September 17th from 7a.m. to 8 a.m.