Zoo Zoom 5K

The 2024 Zoo Zoom has sold out! No more registrations are available. 

Here's your chance to RUN WILD through the Zoo! Join the Maryland Zoo and Blue Cheetah Sports Timing for Zoo Zoom, a morning of fun featuring a timed 5K run and an untimed 1-Mile family fun walk... with a twist.

This year's Zoo Zoom is zombie-themed! Get into the Halloween spirit and come dressed as a member of the living dead or in your favorite Halloween costume. There will be post-race festivities in Waterfowl Pavilion, including a photo booth, food trucks, and access to the "Spook-easy" bar ($). All race participants receive a commemorative Zoo Zoom tee.

Want to make it a full day of fall fun for the whole family? Tickets also include same-day admission to the Zoo and to our annual ZooBOO! festival, where there will be trick-or-treat stations, games, entertainment, and costume contests held throughout the day!

Tickets (pricing displayed on the registration site reflects the ticket price plus the processing fees)

Included in your "ZOOmbie Run" Ticket:

• The choice between a timed 5K walk/run through parts of the Zoo and Druid Hill Park or a one-mile fun run/walk through parts of the Zoo.
• Commemorative Zoo Zoom t-shirt
• All-day Zoo admission, including train and carousel rides
• Access to the ZooBOO! festival (10am-4pm) 
• Access to animal ambassadors
• Free parking in zoo lots
• Access to food trucks and vendors ($)
• Access to the “Spook-easy” bar ($) 
• Photo booth 
• That warm and fuzzy feeling of supporting the animals!

Included in your "Spook-tator" Ticket:

• Access to the post-race festivities in Waterfowl Pavilion 
• All-day Zoo admission, including train and carousel rides
• Access to the ZooBOO! festival (10am-4pm)
• Access to animal ambassadors
• Free parking in zoo lots
• Access to food trucks and vendors ($)
• Access to the “Spook-easy” bar ($) 
• Photo booth 
• That warm and fuzzy feeling of supporting the animals!

CHILDREN UNDER 2 ARE FREE

Save money when you pre-register! There will be an additional $5.00 fee for day-of-event registration.

Event Schedule:

• 7:00 a.m. - On-site packet pickup begins
• 8:00 a.m. - Pre-race warm up
• 8:20 a.m. -1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Start
• 8:35 a.m. - 5K Run/Walk Start 
• 9:20 a.m.- 10:20 a.m. - Animal Ambassadors 
• 9:45 a.m. - Awards Ceremony 
• 10:00 a.m. - Zoo opens 
• 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Post-race Festivities  (music, food trucks, photo booth, and more)

Please arrive on time. Participants will not be permitted to enter the course after 8:50 a.m.

Registration & Packet Pick-Up

• Thursday, October 24: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. @ Charm City Run Baltimore Fells Point 1500 Thames St., Baltimore, MD 21231
• Friday, October 25: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. @ Zoo’s Main Gate (Council Grove Pavilion) 
• Race Day: Onsite beginning at 7:00 a.m. @  Zoo’s Main Gate (Council Grove Pavilion)

“GHOULS” & FAQS

Theme: Get into this year’s zombie theme and come dressed as a member of the living dead or in your best Halloween costume. There will be costume contests hosted throughout the day as part of the ZooBOO! festival (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.).

Award ceremony: Ceremony will be held at 9:45 a.m. Awards as follow: (5k only): 

• Overall – First three Overall Male/Female
• Age Groups – 1st, 2nd, 3rd 
• 9 & U, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 70 and over
• Non-Binary - First three Overall Non-Binary, all ages

All race times will be posted ~30 minutes following the end of the race.

Course: Mile markers will be posted on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd miles. A map of the course will be provided to all participants in advance of race day. 

Event Timing: Please arrive on time. Participants will not be permitted to enter the course after 8:50am.

“Spook-tator” Policy: Spectators may watch from outside of Zoo grounds or may purchase a “Spook-tator” ticket for access to the Zoo and post-race festivities. 

Bag Check:  We do not have a bag check area. Please plan to secure your belongings in your vehicle. You may return to your car at any point during the event or Zoo visit.

Pets: Pets are NOT PERMITTED. Service animals only. 

Zoo Animals: Animals will not be on exhibit until 10:00am. Please plan to visit the Zoo after the event if you wish to see Zoo animals.

Weather Policy: This event is rain or shine. In the event of a hazardous weather forecast, the Zoo will attempt to communicate a final decision 24 hours in advance of the event.

BENEFICIARY
All proceeds support the Maryland Zoo and its many conservation efforts.