Brookfield Zoo Run Run

Very enjoyable 5K! Well organized onsite packet pickup and clear directions inside the zoo to the Start line and throughout the course. Easy parking, not terribly crowded, and the course paths were wide enough to accommodate runners and walkers. Plenty of space for spectators and cheering family members and it was great to be able to stay in the zoo afterwards with my family. Hopefully this event won’t grow too large because that would take away from how nice it felt.
My only complaints were about the water stations. There was only one water station on the course and the cups only contained about 2 inches of water. This would have been fine if a 2^nd water station had been set up a little further in around mile 2. There also was confusion among the volunteers at the Finish line about setting up Gatorade. I got there about 47 minutes after the start and the vols stated that they had been told the Gatorade was only for the first group of finishers. This was incorrect and they started pouring pretty quickly after that.
My husband noted that while the course seemed pretty straightforward for racers, it was really confusing for spectators. There was nothing to indicate race progress other than the guy shouting «Mile two!»
The t-​shirt this year was bright purple with yellow lettering and pictures of cheetahs. Not something I’ll wear too often but fun for kids.
Suggestions for runners – if you’re planning to stay at the zoo after wards and think you’ll need more food, bring your own snacks because the zoo’s vendors don’t start opening until 10:30ish.

This is a really big race for the little olé suburb of Brookfield! I picked up my packet in advance and I’m glad I did. Pickup was at the other entrance (not the main one right next to the high school) and it involved a huge maze just to get to the pickup tents. Apparently there was some construction going on in the parking lot. No big deal. There was no issue with me picking up packets for both myself and a friend, which was a relief. I STRONGLY recommend that you pick up your packet ahead of time like I did because race day can be really intense.
I arrived half an hour before the race start time. I could not believe how many people were there! I waited in line for 10minutes for the bathroom. When it got too close to the time of the race (5 minutes out), I made the bold decision to sneak into the men’s room. Eek! I always like to use the bathroom as close to the start time of races as possible because it gives me piece of mind. I was almost unable to do that with all the crowds. For race organizers, I suggest having more bathrooms available and clearly marking with signs where to find them.
I really liked that you could run in a wave estimating how fast you were going to run. I opted for the 8:30/mile wave and it was right on the nose. Of you care at all about a PR, I recommend overestimating your speed. Seeing people run faster around you will help push you forward, along with race day adrenaline! I was definitely pleased with my PR time for this race.
The course wasn’t quite as interesting as I had hoped. We really did take a full tour through the zoo, but perhaps some of the more interesting aspects of the zoo are indoors where we obviously wouldn’t run. The crowds were great cheering us on, which was fun! After, my parents and I enjoyed exploring the zoo (you get free admission for the day), getting blood pressure taken, and eating bananas. I definitely recommend this race, especially if you live in the area.
Note: My t-​shirt was a youth large. If you’re petite like me, then that’s definitely the way to go!

I am newer to running, and I loved this 5k. The race started at 8:30. I wasn’t able to do packet pickup beforehand, so I got there around 7:15 for race day pickup. There wasn’t a crowd yet, so no wait for pickup. Pickup had you look up your name on a bulletin board to get your bib number, then pick it up in lines based on numbers. Not all stacks were located under the correct number signs, so I can see how that could have been confusing if it got crowded later — but I had no problems when I arrived.
Pre-​race didn’t have many tents/​vendors set up, but I wasn’t interested in vendors anyway. Gear check was easy. Lineup was done well by expected pace, and the actual race was not very crowded — so it seems people lined up correctly. (I did the Hot Chocolate 5k last year and it was a nightmare, practically tripping over people who were walking the entire race.) The course itself was very winding, but that actually made it easier for me as a newer runner (always a goal right up ahead). I was focused on my run so I didn’t get to enjoy the animals so much, but there was plenty going on all around you to keep you distracted and/​or provide motivation. :)
Race clocks at every mile were great, one water stop half-​way through, and at the end was banana, small bottled water, and/​or a few ounces of gatorade. The entire race was flat, which I expected since it was through the zoo.
After the race I left (I went alone with no fans cheering me on), but parking/​admission is included in the race price, so there was the option to stay and enjoy the zoo for the day with your family/​friends. Although there were a lot of people, getting in/​out of the parking lot was fairly quick — the race started at 8:30, I was one of the last chip timed runners to start, finished around 9:10, and had time to drink some water, stretch, rest a bit, get my stuff from gear check, use the restroom, and was still out of the parking lot and heading home before 9:30.
For those interested — quite a few kids were mixed in with chip timed runners, as well as people pushing strollers. The race was spaced out enough that it didn’t feel crowded with those additions.

I ran ran the zoo run run! Yesterday morning was my first time running this race and I thought it was a great time! Entries were $ 30 with the money going to animal conservation funds. This fee included parking costs and a day at the zoo for you and your family. I basically went ran the race and left but if you were looking for a day to bring your family to the zoo this might be the best day to do it cost wise. Parking is normally ten dollars, I can’t comment on admission prices on regular days but on race day you can bring your whole family in as your cheer squad. I picked up my packet the day of the race and had no problem with waiting in line. The actual course itself weaved entire through the zoo allowing you to see plenty of animals while you ran. It’s definitely a race I would consider doing again in the future.

This course was the most interesting of courses I’ve run for a 5k. It’s very «zig-​zaggy» throughout the zoo, but you get to see almost all of the outdoor exhibits. It was fun to run by bison, camels, giraffes, lions (and the lions were NOT amused by us, haha) as we racked up the mileage for a good cause. Course was flat too.
The starting point was well organized, offered a gear check, line up by mile pace, and a timed start and a 10 minute later starting time for people who weren’t being timed.
The event had mile markers with clock, one stop for water along the way, but was a a little chincy with the post race refreshments. You could have about 4 oz of gatorade, a mini water bottle and a banana. Race entry got you free parking and the option to spend the day at the zoo, and just a tshirt. I’m used to sponsors donating more for the packet pickup.
Speaking of packet pickup (Sorry, this review is all over the place!) Definitely go early (as in, the week before). The day of definitely got crazy. This is a BIG race.
OH… one more perk– this race actually offers you the chance to pee at an indoor bathroom before starting! Take advantage of that. Any chance to avoid a portapotty is a winning opportunity in my opinion!
I will definitely do this race again!

How fitting that my 5−0−0 review be for a 5K!
The Brookfield Zoo Run Run is an annual event that takes place at the Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo). Proceeds from the race benefit the CZS Conservation Fund which is dedicated to the conservation of animals and their environment around the world. Runners (or walkers) have the choice of a 5K or 3K, chipped or fun run.
The run started at 8am and family and friends were encouraged to come and cheer on and support their runners and stay for a day at the zoo. I was told there are a few thousand folks who run/​walk this event and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Before the run, there was music and a fun «warm up» for the crowd. I found the run very organized with many volunteers ensuring the runners knew which paths to take. The run wound us all around and throughout the zoo with a water/​gatorade hub right at the middle of the route. I’m not sure if all the animals were out because I’m still fairly new to running and was just concentrating on staying safe and pacing with some folks ahead of me. But I did get to see the rhinos and buffalo. There was plenty of space for spectators along the route which is good because there were so many families and friends out to enjoy the festivities. Bananas and granola bars aplenty for us at the end of the race.
One of my favorite things about this event was that everyone was encouraged to spend time at the zoo after the run – basically free admission for the whole family and whomever joined you. This year, as extra entertainment, the gents from Million Dollar Quartet entertained the crowd after the run.
On-​line pre-​registration was a breeze. There were 3 different dates for packet pick up including the day of the race. I picked up my packet on one of the alternate days at the zoo and let’s just say that was worst part of this run. The line was really slow and it took me about 40 min to pick up my number and Tshirt. According to a gent in line – «you’ll probably run your race in faster time than the time you took standing in this line». Nice of him to put it into perspective like that. But it is for a good cause and zoo members get a discount on the race fee.