Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo
About this race
Join thousands of runners and walkers on Sunday, Sept. 13 for Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo, sponsored by Michigan First Credit Union. During this annual event, you can compete in a 5K run or enjoy a stroll through the Zoo with our non-competitive Fun Walk.
Important Participant Information:
Race Options
5K -
- Starts at 8 a.m.
- Start the race on 10 Mile Service Drive
- Dash through neighboring Huntington Woods
- Finish inside the Zoo
Fun Walk-
- Starts at 8:45 a.m.
- Take a 1.25-mile stroll through the Zoo
- Wander the Detroit Zoo at a leisurely pace
- Enjoy educational activities and treat stations along the way
Race Packets
- In-Person Packet Pickup & Guest Registration will be available in the 10 Mile Parking Lot at the Detroit Zoo during the following times:
- Saturday, Sept. 12 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 13 – 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
- Virtual Packets can be mailed for an additional fee.
Race Day Registration
- Available 6 to 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13.
- Registration closes 30 minutes before the race starts.
- Start timing mats turn off 10 minutes after the official race start.
- Runners starting late will be assigned gun time (official race start time).
- Spectator tickets are available during the registration process.
- Adults $15
- Children $10
Important Race Day Reminders!
🚧 10 Mile Road will be closed for the 5K—expect heavy traffic! Arrive early to avoid delays.
- 5K begins promptly at 8 a.m.
- Fun Walk begins at 8:45 a.m.
- Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo is a special event and is not included with a Detroit Zoological Society membership.
- Registration is required for all participants ages 2 and older. Members who wish to participate in Run Wild must register for the event.
- The 5K finish line is inside the Zoo. Those wishing to see their family or friends finish the race must purchase a Spectator admission. Spectator admission for this special event can be purchased in conjunction with race registration or during packet pickup hours. Spectators with wristbands must enter the Zoo by 9 a.m. Please note, members cannot use their membership to get into the Zoo until it opens to the general public at 9 a.m.
- For the safety of all participants, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, roller skates and animals are not allowed at Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo. Strollers are permitted for the Fun Walk and the back of the 5K race.
Pick your distance
Running
5K Run/Walk
Virtual 5K Run/Walk
Walking
Fun Walk
This is a fun event with no timing or awards given
Typical race-day weather
Based on 4 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Royal Oak, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 7:10 AM and sets at 7:46 PM local time (EDT) in Royal Oak on September 13, 2026 — 12h 35m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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2026 results — Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo
Virtual 5K Run/Walk · 7 finishers
| Place | Name | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgan Fuller | 28:28 | 9:10 /mi |
| 2 | Carrie Garcia | 40:00 | 12:52 /mi |
| 3 | Dawn Pobocik | 47:02 | 15:08 /mi |
| 4 | Karen Ellert | 57:32 | 18:31 /mi |
| 5 | Lisa Morgan | 57:32 | 18:31 /mi |
Every finisher is on the results page, filterable by distance, gender and age group.
All results by year
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🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Royal Oak
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Royal Oak 5K Races 5 races
- Royal Oak Running Calendar 2026 7 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 7 Royal Oak events
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