Lincoln Park Run for the Zoo Chicago, IL   May 31, 2026

For more than four decades, runners of all levels and abilities have supported Lincoln Park Zoo with Run for the Zoo! Run for the Zoo makes it easy for anyone, from toddlers to elite athletes, to help support their favorite species at the zoo and save them in the wild.

Run for the Zoo is a fun and rewarding way to contribute directly towards animal care, conservation efforts, and education initiatives at Lincoln Park Zoo that help animals both locally and around the world. This race is suitable for all levels, featuring a flat, scenic course that winds around and through the zoo.

Whether you’re a competitive athlete in training, a preschooler ready to clamber through a child-friendly obstacle course, or a parent with a stroller, there’s a place for you at Run for the Zoo. 

Every race registration helps keep the zoo free 365 days a year. Funds raised through this beloved family-friendly tradition also go to save species, from gorillas in the Congo to parrots in Puerto Rico.