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Santa Barbara Zoo Fun Run!
July 7, 2018 @ 9:00 am PDT
The Santa Barbara Zoo has teamed up with the Jenny Schatzle Program for the first-ever “Run Wild for Conservation” fun run for families scheduled for Saturday, July 7. A one-mile, non-competitive run is open to all ages including walkers and parents pushing strollers, and the route goes through behind the scenes areas not usually open to the public. Proceeds benefit the Zoo’s education and field conservation programs, and the run is followed by a special conservation day, “Your Zoo, Your Planet: Saving Species.”
Advance registration is highly recommended online for “Run Wild for Conservation” at www.sbzoo.org. The cost is $25 for adults ($10 for SB Zoo Members) and $15 for children ($5 for Zoo Members) and includes not only the run, but Zoo admission, one Zoo Train Ride, one Rock Wall Climb, all-day bounce house access, and discounts at the zoo’s gift and food outlets. Spectators are also welcome with Zoo admission, which is $18 for adults, and $10 for children.
Check-in on race day begins at 7:30 a.m. and the run starts at 9 a.m. The Ridley-Tree House Restaurant will open at 8 a.m.
“The Santa Barbara Zoo is all about healthy lifestyles, both for the animals under our care and for our guests,” said Doug Caesar, the Zoo’s guest services associate who has organized the new event. “Our partner Jenny Schatzle and her team know how to make health and fitness fun, and how to inspire people to be more active.”
Schatzle, also the mother of one-year-old twins, says, “I love to support local organizations, and my family loves our local zoo. I hope people come away from Run Wild with knowledge of our local zoo
and the importance of conservation, along with a sense of community. This is a time for all of Santa Barbara to come together with our families for a fun, active, educational event.”
Run Through Zoo Followed by Conservation Day
The run begins at the Zoo’s entrance and winds through the grounds and into areas not usually open to the public, including the road along the Animal Hospital, bird and small mammal holding areas, and
Zoo Train Yard. It goes behind California condor, Western lowland gorilla, Masai giraffe, and African lion enclosures before arriving at Cabrillo Lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Water stations are
provided along the race route, thanks to Sol Wave. Cheering runners will be some popular Zoo characters including Duncan the T. rex, and Tiny the grizzly bear, among others. Refreshments, animal
encounters, a bounce house and more are located at the race finish line.
Starting at 11 a.m. in Elephant Junction, zookeepers offer informal activities relating to local conservation at “Your Zoo, Your Planet: Saving Species.” Booths will feature the Zoo’s conservation partners, and success of local conservation programs right here in Santa Barbara’s own backyard. Demonstrations show how field researchers monitor species such as highly endangered California condors. Activities are free with Zoo or Run Wild admission.