4-Mile Course: The 4-Mile Course will start Northeast of the Starlight Office building inside the Meyer entrance of Swope Park on Starlight Road. The racecourse will head west up around the Parks and Recreation building and head down the hill on Mall drive, looping up toward Starlight and then head back into the Zoo. Once inside the Zoo, the course will turn RIGHT to go down into Africa. Returning out of Africa, the course will proceed onto the new promenade through to the International Festival area into Australia. Then it will head back through World Gate, back to the finish line. NO strollers/joggers allowed in the 4-Mile event given the pathways are too narrow and for the safety of all participants! Strollers are allowed for WALKERS ONLY in the 1-Mile event ONLY and no running or jogging with strollers/joggers allowed.

1-Mile Course: The 1-Mile Course will start across from the Flamingo exhibit over to the Elephant walk, then go toward the Cheetah exhibit. It will then turn back and go through the African Market, back up the hill, turning to the shortcut, then left into the finish. 1-Mile participants must start lining up by 9:20 a.m. for instruction. Strollers are allowed for WALKERS ONLY in the 1-Mile event only. No running or jogging with strollers/joggers allowed.

Download the course map.

4-Mile Start: The 4-Mile Start will not change and will start northeast of the Starlight Office building inside the Meyer entrance of Swope Park on Starlight Road. Line up facing west. Pace signs will be utilized to help to line up the participants according to time per mile. So, please line up according to what you think is your time. NO strollers/joggers allowed in the 4-Mile event.

1-Mile Start : The 1-Mile start is located just south of the 4-Mile finish line across from the Flamingo exhibit facing east toward the Elephant walk. Please see the course map for further instructions on how to locate the start. Announcements will take place for lining up approximately, 9:20 a.m. Once entering into the Zoo, please proceed directly to the 4-Mile finish line area. All 1-Mile participants need to register. Strollers for WALKING PARTICIPANTS ONLY are allowed in the 1-Mile event. No running or jogging with strollers/joggers allowed. Any child who can walk on their own will need to register. All children who stay in the stroller will not need to register.

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, strollers, joggers, radio headsets, roller skates, roller blades, bicycles and dogs are NOT allowed on the course, with the exception of strollers allowed for walkers in the 1-Mile event ONLY. 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. NOTE: STROLLERS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE 4-MILE COURSE, HOWEVER, WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE MILE COURSE FOR WALKERS ONLY.

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 : For 2008, Chip timing will be used in the 4-Mile event. The 1-Mile event will not be timed.

Walk-In Registration/Packet Pickup :

Garry Gribble's Running Sports (Ward Parkway Mall)
85th & State Line, KCMO
Friday, September 19th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Race Day Registration/Packet Pickup:

Kansas City Zoo main entrance
Saturday, September 20th from 7a.m. to 8a.m.

There will be no Thursday packet pickup this year.