Long overdue, race recap!
The Tulsa Zoo hosts a 1 mile fun run, 5K and 10K race every year.
This was my first time to participate. I've heard it's a smaller, fun race and decided to go for it......since I've turned into such a stealth jogger and all. haha!
I didn't carry my camera with me during this race, but I did take a few snap shots beforehand and put my camera back in the car.
The area around the Zoo is called Mohawk Park and is very flat.....which is awesome.
Race time was at 8:30am, so it wasn't too early, it was cool and crisp out.
The weather was absolutely perfect!
The course takes a "loop" through Mohawk Park, crosses over into the Zoo's back/rear entrance, and you finish in the middle of the Zoo. It really is pretty fun. My time was 20 seconds faster than my Race for the Cure time, two weeks prior. I was hoping for a little better time, but at least it wasn't worse!!
This run is super family oriented. When I arrived, the "rally" and warm-up was underway. Every zoo animal that could be made into a fuzzy costume/mascot type uniform was there.......dancing and jumping to music, getting the crowd moving. There were kids jumping, dancing, and having a great time. There was, of course, a location at the starting line for those with stroller participating in the run.
The family atmosphere continued in the pavilion for the after race refreshments.
Fuzzy mascot animals were everywhere! There was a kid area with face painting and other activities, several bouncy castles, music, and they were doing the cupid shuffle! So cute!
It was a great, encouraging atmosphere for children.
My one major complaint is parking. I did manage to get a great spot, but that's because I left at the butt crack of dawn and got there UBER early. The entrance to the Zoo and Mohawk Park is in sort of a weird spot. There's a two lane road that leads to a "T" where you have to turn to enter the zoo. Well, on race day, holy mother of cars and runners in traffic! There were police directing, and it was very organized, but if you didn't get there early, you were parking out on the main road and walking a LONG way to the start line.
My other small, teeny complaint was the smell. Now, I do not have a big problem with smells. I can handle stockyards and show barns at the fair with no problem. But when I'm running, the smell of animal "output" isn't the most wonderful experience. It wasn't that bad really, it just really stuck out in my mind. :)
I would probably do the Zoo Run again.
It was very reasonably priced and a nice, flat run.
Next time, I would probably need to borrow someone's child,
so I could jump with them in the bouncy castle after the race, hehe. :)
