
From the Organizer
Race day check in opens at 7:30AM - 5K Run and Walk starting line opens at 9:00 am.
Free Parking. Participants will receive a pass for free admission into the zoo on race day.
Participants can choose the "no shirt" option while registering and save $5 off the entry fee.
Water, fruit and hot dogs.
Beer garden for all participants 21 Years of age or older
Trophies for the top 5 Overall Male and Female finishers and top Masters male and female (first finishers over 40 but not placing in the top 5 overall), and medals for top 3 male and female finishers in each age group. Age groups are as follows: 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over. Additionally, the top three male and three female finishers in the Clydesdale / Athena division receive awards. Men over 210 LBS and women over 170 LBS can choose to compete in this division.
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
82°
Typical Low
64°
Chance of Rain
33%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Laporte, 10 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
31,894
as of 2023
Elevation
623 ft
Nearest Airport
MGC
Michigan City Municipal Airport · 4 mi
Major Hub
MDW
Chicago Midway International Airport · 45 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Running Wild for the Zoo 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
34
Days to train
Coming Up
Chesterton Extra Mile Youth Running Camp
10 miles away
Michigan City Extra Mile Youth Camp
Less than a mile away
Necktie 5K Walk & Run
4 miles away
Father's Day 5K & 10K
10 miles 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)
Running Wild for the Zoo 5K
Jul 12, 2026