
From the Organizer
Support Henry Vilas Zoo and our wildlife ranger friends in the Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya! A portion of every registration goes to support their important work preserving critically endangered species like black rhinos and Grevy's zebra, and providing them with the best medical care possible.
Everyone who runs or walks will receive a Run Wild t-shirt. You can sign up for Run Wild as a 5k or 10k distance. Join us at the Zoo on Sunday, September 27 for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year! The 5k and 10k races start just outside our South gate on Vilas Park Dr. The Kids Fun Run starts just outside our North gate.
**The 10k race start at 8am. The 5k run and walk starts at 8:15am. Participants walking or pushing strollers will be asked to line up in the back of the queue. The kid's fun run begins at 9:30am. **
Race Packets may be picked up before the race at the Zoo in our Guest Services building from 10am - 4pm starting Friday, September 11.
** We encourage participants to pick up their race packets early. We cannot guarantee shirt sizes if you wait until the day of the race to pick up your race packet.**
Ol Jogi is a 58,000 acres wildlife conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. They focus on wildlife conservation by providing a safe habitat for indigenous and critically endangered species. Their wildlife rangers work closely with surrounding communities to assist them so they can derive support and benefits from this conservation work.
Events
Weather
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
70°
Typical Low
46°
Chance of Rain
32%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Uw Arboretum - Madison, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
275,568
as of 2023
Elevation
871 ft
Nearest Airport
MSN
Dane County Regional Truax Field · 6 mi
Major Hub
MKE
General Mitchell International Airport · 77 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at HENRY VILAS ZOO - RUN WILD 2026, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
111
Days to train
Coming Up
Loop the Lake - A bike ride to benefit our lakes
Less than a mile away
Train Like A (Movement) PRO
Less than a mile away
8th Annual Madison Gospel 5K, 10K, Run/Walk & Health Fair
Less than a mile away
Midwest Financial Group Madison Mini Marathon
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
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.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
HENRY VILAS ZOO - RUN WILD 2026
Sep 27, 2026