Yes, we are excited to welcome back all of our amazing supporters and runners to our 38^th Annual Zoo Run presented by H-E-B! Zoo Run Relay will be held on Friday, September 08 from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. and our Kids Run will be held on Saturday, September 09 from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. If you’re unable to join us in-person this year, you can still support by registering for our virtual option.

The race starts promptly at 6:00 p.m. The zoo grounds will be open starting at 4:30 p.m. 

With your registration you will receive an event drawstring bag, event t-shirt, race bib, one meal, and two (2) complimentary drink tickets which can be redeemed for domestic beer and soft drinks.  

We will be offering two options for packet pickup where you can pick up your packet right at the steps of the zoo! Whether you register for our Zoo Run Relay, Kids Run, or Virtual Run, packet pickup will be held on Thursday, September 07. Please note, shirts and sizes will be guaranteed if registered by Thursday, August 24.

With Zoo Run Relay, you have the option of participating in a four (4) person relay team and run a two-mile leg. We also have a four mile and an eight mile single runner option. All teams must consist of four (4) different runners. One (1) runner cannot run multiple legs.

You are welcome to park in our Train Depot lot or in the parking garage. Please be aware that there is no overnight parking in either Train Depot lot or the parking garage.  

Yes! We invite your family and friends to come to the zoo and cheer you on. Please be aware that there is no seating available along the race route inside the zoo or in Brackenridge Park. Also note that all zoo exhibits will be closed; access will be limited to the race route and runner’s village only. 

For the safety of our runners, guests, staff, and animals, there are some things that are prohibited at San Antonio Zoo including: Smoking/vaping, weapons of any kind, outside food or drink (water and Starbucks products are permitted), coolers or ice chests, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards.  

San Antonio Zoo is family-friendly. Please visit our website at sazoo.org for a full list of prohibited items and dress code. 

Runners for the Adult Run can receive food at Runner’s Village! Please be sure to have your race bib with you as it is your “meal ticket”.  

Kid’s Run participants will be provided light snacks. There is no food available for spectators.  

A limited number of vegetarian meals are available. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided. Thank you to our presenting sponsor H-E-B for providing meals for our runners! 

Yes. We will offer a full cash-bar to guests 21 and over. Please be sure to bring your ID if you plan on consuming alcoholic beverages. 

For the safety of our runners and spectators, no bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or scooters are permitted on the race route. 

Yes! We welcome participants of all abilities. Those in wheelchairs will be stationed near the rear of the race route for safety. 

Adult Zoo Run: 

Individuals: 4 mile or 8 mile
Teams: 2 mile 

Kid’s Run:  
1-3 years: 0.25 mile race (Parents are welcome to run alongside their children age 1-3. Not eligible for awards if parent picks up and runs with them!)
4-5 years: 0.25 mile race
6-7 years: 0.5 mile race
8-9 years: 0.5 mile race
10-11 years: 0.5 mile race 

No problem! Day-of packet pickup will take place at the Great Lawn.

Please enter at the main entrance gate on N. St. Mary’s Street. 

Due to limited space available and safety considerations, guests may not bring in tents.  

Once you have been admitted onto zoo grounds, you may not exit and re-enter. 

Yes! There are several water stations along the route to keep you hydrated.  

Volunteers will be available both inside zoo grounds and outside in Brackenridge Park and will be happy to assist you in any way you need! If there is a medical emergency, EMTs will be stationed along the route inside and outside the zoo.  

You are welcome to walk, run, or jog the route. Please be courteous to our more competitive runners and be sure to leave room for passing. 

Unlike a traditional run, a virtual run can be completed at any time and any place! Complete your run outside in the neighborhood, nearby park, or even on a treadmill. Since you can complete this run at any time, you can go at your own pace! Recording times will be optional if you would like to share your results on social media.

Our virtual run will be completed on the honor system. You will not be required to prove your participation or completion of the run, but pictures with family and even selfies as you run are highly encouraged!

Of course! A great thing about going virtual is we can now share our event with anyone outside of our community.

Share your pictures and your completion time on social media, upload videos of you running and tag us using #SAZooRun

The Runner’s Village at the Great Lawn will broadcast each person’s run time. During the award ceremony, we will announce winners for each category.  

For the safety of our runners and guests, we encourage children 11 and under to register for our Kid’s Zoo Run taking place on September 09, 2023.  

The race route goes through our Birds of the World area where you will be able to see and hear birds from all over the world! The remainder of the race will be through Brackenridge Park where you may see native wildlife. 

Limited photos will be taken for social media purposes; you are welcome to follow us on Instagram @sanantoniozoo for event coverage! You may also have your spectators take photos for you. For the safety of everyone involved, selfie sticks are not permitted along the race route. 

During the run, portions of the zoo not directly part of the race route will be barricaded for safety. Runners and spectators will be limited to the race route locations.  

The route outside zoo grounds is primarily paved with sections going through dirt. Inside the zoo, racers will be on pavers. Both pavers and dirt sections may have areas that are uneven. All runners are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes and exercise caution while running.  

Once the race starts, you may not change your race category. You may visit the packet-pickup location at the Great Lawn for information on changing your category prior to the start of the race. The cutoff time for this is 5:00 p.m.  

We know emergencies can happen! If a team member needs to be swapped out with someone else, you may go to the Great Lawn and speak to the race coordinator before 5:00 p.m. 

We encourage you to think sustainably and bring a reusable water bottle! Water refill stations will be available along the race route. Ice chests/coolers are not permitted on zoo grounds. 

There are restrooms available inside the zoo at the Beastro restaurant. 

For over 38 years, runners have come out to support San Antonio Zoo and our conservation efforts with one of our longest running fundraisers, Zoo Run Relay. This year will be even bigger and better than ever! Each registration goes to supporting the zoo’s mission and vision of securing a future for wildlife.

While we love all furry friends, for the health and safety of our resident animals, we do not allow pets inside San Antonio Zoo.