Wild Strides 5K
Decision scores
Six 0–100 scores telling you, at a glance, who this race is for.
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About the Race
Celebrate Earth Day with John Ball Zoo’s inaugural Wild Strides 5K! This unique event will bring together runners, walkers, families, and conservation enthusiasts to support the Zoo’s mission of saving wildlife and wild places. The 5K course will take you on a scenic route through the Zoo grounds, past the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival path, and along nearby trails! 5K participants will receive a race t-shirt, finishers medal, and ticket to attend the 2026 Lantern Festival. Kids Fun Run parti...
Course Profile
Course profile data unavailable for this race.
Course features
Accessibility & inclusion
Vibe & community
We don't have vibe tags for this race yet — organizers can claim the listing to add them.
History & past results
Past finisher times and year-over-year participation will appear here once the organizer publishes them.
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Common questions
How hard is the Wild Strides 5K 5K?
We don't have a verified elevation profile yet — check the organizer's course map for the climb breakdown.
What should I wear?
Dress for ~10°F warmer than the standing temperature once you start running. Throwaway long-sleeve at the start, gloves and a hat for sub-50°F mornings, singlet plus visor when it climbs above 60°F. The race-day forecast above is the source of truth closer to the date.
When does it sell out?
No published deadline. Most races raise the entry fee in tiers and can sell out without warning — sign up early if you're committed.
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