San Diego Zoo Safari Park to hold half marathon and fun walk March 13

Get set for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s inaugural half marathon and 5K family fun walk this spring. Both courses will start and finish inside the Safari Park, with views of bonobos, giraffes, rhinos and herds of other animals from around the globe.

The competitive half marathon starts at 7 a.m. on March 13, 2011, in the parking lot of the Park. The 13.1-mile course runs through the San Pasqual Valley past orange groves and a golf course, weaves in and out of the Park and ultimately ends near the Park’s herd of African elephants.

The half marathon is limited to 3,500 runners and has a time limit of three hours.

Awards will be given to the top three overall half-marathon finishers and the top three finishers in each division. All marathon participants will receive a finisher medal.

The registration fee for the half marathon is $65 until December 31. Fees for the marathon will increase to $70 in January and $75 in February, until March 9, 2011. If space is still available, race-day registration is $85. Each half marathon registration includes admission to the Park on the day of the race, a T-shirt, a virtual goodie bag and vouchers for two spectators to enter the Safari Park on race day for the discounted rate of $15 (valid on race day only).

The 5K walk is open to all ages. This course will follow the paved Africa Tram Safari route, an area rarely open to foot traffic. Participants will start the course at 8 a.m. and will pass by animals including cheetahs, zebras, flamingoes and rhinos.

The family 5K registration fees also includes Park admission for the participant on race day, a T-shirt and a virtual goodie bag. Rates for adults are $25, increasing to $30 in January until March 9; race-day registration is $35. Children ages 3-11 are $20.

Secure, online registration for both events is available at http://www.safariparkhalfmarathon.com
or call 619-557-3915 to request a registration form.

All funds raised by the race will go toward building a new tiger habitat at the Safari Park. The design for the new habitat includes places for the cats to climb and swim and an area for guests to watch keepers working with the tigers. The exhibit will also explain how tigers have become endangered and what humans can do to help their survival.

The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park (historically referred to as Wild Animal Park) is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections. The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.