Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle is a running race on October 18, 2026 in West Orange, NJ, with entry fees from $25 to $40.
- Date
- October 18, 2026 (78 days to go)
- Price
- $25–$40
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
Join the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and Fleet Feet Montclair for a wild morning of miles and fun!
📅 Sunday, October 18
⏰ 8:30 AM
📍 Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
Get ready to waddle, run, or walk your way through a 3.5-mile course (or take the 2ish mile Safari Shortcut) before crossing the finish line inside the Zoo for a one-of-a-kind celebration!
🎟️ Post-run Essex County Turtle Back Zoo admission is included with registration. Stick around after the run to explore and say hello to the animals.
🎁 The first 300 participants to register will receive custom pom-pom beanie (a $35 value)
This event is perfect for the whole family—whether you sprint like a cheetah, stroll like a tortoise, or waddle like a penguin, everyone’s invited to join the fun.
👟 Costumes, animal spirit, and family smiles are highly encouraged!
ZOO MEMBERS
SPECTATING: Zoo members do not need to purchase a spectator pass to enter the Zoo early. Simply show proof of your valid Essex County Turtle Back Zoo membership at packet pick-up (either on Friday or event morning) for early admission.
PARTICIPANTS: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo members should use the $5 member promo code that was emailed by the Zoo when registering for the event. If you can't locate the email, please contact the Zoo or reach out to us before registering.
PACKET PICK-UP
Early Pick-Up (Recommended!)
📍 Fleet Feet Montclair – 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043
📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Event Day Pick-Up
📍 Location TBA
📅 Sunday, October 18
⏰ 7:30 – 8:30 AM
SPECTATORS:
Want to cheer on your family and friends at the finish line inside the Zoo?
Spectators will need an Official Spectator Pass to enter the Zoo early before it opens to the public. We’re offering a special discounted $10 rate (normally $22) so you can join the finish line celebration and explore the Zoo afterward.
Day of spectator passes will be available for purchase at the start and zoo entrance.
PARKING:
Please park in the lots and parking decks at the Turtle Back Zoo.
This is not an official race. There is no event timing. Details are subject to change.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
65°
Typical Low
43°
Chance of Rain
34%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Canoe Brook, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About West Orange, NJ
City Elevation
626 ft
Nearest Airport
EWR
Newark Liberty International Airport · 8 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
78
Days to train
- Race
- Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle
- Date
- October 18, 2026
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
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Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to West Orange than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to West OrangeFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle
Oct 18, 2026