11th Annual Chimpathon - Run/Walk 5K & 10K

There’s no race like it in the world!

Join us on Saturday, February 21, 2026, for the 11th Annual Chimpathon 5K & 10K Run/Walk at Save the Chimps—an extraordinary, 150-acre sanctuary that is home to nearly 220 chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade.

This is one of only three times each year our gates open to the public—and the only day you can experience the full 5K/10K loop around the sanctuary. Unlike our guided walking tours, Chimpathon offers sweeping views of all 12 lush island habitats as you run or walk the flat, chip-timed course, passing chimpanzee families foraging, playing, and enjoying life together.

NEW for 2026 — First 100 Chimp Champs: The first 100 participants to commit to raising $500 will become VIP Chimp Champs, leading the way toward our goal of $50,000 — enough to fund one full year of care for two of our beloved residents. With every mile, you help give the chimps a life of peace, comfort, and companionship

* No animals permitted as they may disturb the chimps *

Packet Pickup

Wednesday, 2/18, 3 pm- 7pm
Walking Tree Brewery
3209 Dodger Rd
Vero Beach, FL 32960

Thursday, 2/19, from 12 pm-4 pm
Orange Theory Fitness
884 SW St. Lucie W Blvd
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Race Day, 7 am
Due to time constraints on race day, we recommend picking up your packet in advance at the above locations. If you are unable to, race-day packet pickup will be available onsite from 7:00 am to 7:45 am. 

Race Amenities

VIP Participants – First 100 Chimp Champ Registrants
Exclusive perks when you commit to raising $500 for the chimps:

• Free race registration – skip the entry fee and start fundraising right away
• Limited-edition Chimpathon magnet – available only to fundraisers
• Exclusive VIP “Chimp Champ” t-shirt – stand out on race day
• VIP meet-up/photo opportunity on race day with fellow Chimp Champs and sanctuary leadership
• Recognition on Save the Chimps website and social media channels  as a First 100 Chimp Champ

The Impact:
$500 provides nutritious meals, veterinary care, and enrichment activities for our residents.
$50,000 overall from 100 Chimp Champs covers one year of care for two chimpanzees.

Meeting your goal is easier than you think:
10 friends and family donating $50
OR 20 friends and family donating $25

All Participants Receive:

• Finisher’s medal
• Chimpathon performance t-shirt
• Overall and age-group awards
• Post-race food & refreshments
• Professionally chip-timed course
• The satisfaction of knowing that your run helps provide lifelong care to rescued chimpanzees

Fundraising Impact

Save the Chimps is the world’s largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary, providing dignified, lifelong care to chimpanzees retired from research laboratories, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade. Today, they live in large family groups on beautiful island habitats, with the freedom, companionship, and expert care they deserve to truly thrive.

100% of donations raised through Chimpathon go directly toward their care—helping ensure every chimp can live out their days in peace, comfort, and safety.

Awards Categories

Top 3 Overall Male and Female
Top 3 Masters Male and Female (40+)
Age Groups:
8 & Under, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

Parking

Volunteers will manage parking at the race site on race day. Please carefully follow their guidance and drive slowly within the gates of the sanctuary property. 

There is only one entrance into the sanctuary. Please provide yourself with extra time before the race to park and walk to the starting area. For the safety of our participants, vehicles will not be able to enter the sanctuary after the race has started.

Location

Save the Chimps
16891 Carole Noon Lane
Fort Pierce, FL 34945 US

*Please note that Save the Chimps is not open to the public

• Top 3 Overall M & F
• Top 3 Masters M & F (40+)
• Age Groups (Top M & F Runners): 8 & Under, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

As Chimpathon is limited to just 700, we urge all participants to fundraise. It's as easy as texting a QR code, posting on social media, or emailing your friends and family. Using the tools on this site, you can easily make a big impact! 

Caring for nearly 220 chimpanzees is a costly endeavor. Chimpathon was founded as both a way for people to enjoy the 150-acre sanctuary and to raise funds for food, veterinary care, enrichment, and to maintain the 12 chimp island habitats. 

If you have questions about how to personalize your efforts, contact Dan at chimpathon@savethechimps.org - thank you! 

Volunteers will manage parking at the race site on race day. Please carefully follow their guidance and drive slowly within the gates of the sanctuary property. 

There is only one entrance into the sanctuary. Please provide yourself with extra time before the race to park and walk to the starting area. For the safety of our participants, vehicles will not be able to enter the sanctuary after the race has started.

In the interest of promoting an enjoyable running and racing experience for everyone, Save the Chimps encourages good runner etiquette. Whether you're running alone or in a group, we ask that you follow these general guidelines:

Whatever the pace, wherever the race, manners matter.
Rules are subject to change at any time due to local/state restrictions or event needs.
 
GENERAL RULES

Bib Numbers:
Every participant must run with the official bib number assigned. Check the label on your bib to confirm your information is correct. Bibs must be visible at all times and worn on the front of your shirt or shorts. Do not switch, sell, or give your bib to another person without prior authorization from a race official.

Bandits Prohibited:
Unregistered participants (known as "bandits") are strictly prohibited. Banditing is a safety issue and a misuse of race resources. If caught, you will be removed and may be disqualified from future races.

Complete the Course:
Participants must complete the entire course under their own power. Failure to do so may result in removal from the official results and disqualification from awards.

Prohibited Equipment:
Race officials may disallow any equipment that gives an unfair advantage or endangers others.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
Participants who fail to follow official instructions, behave offensively, or act in an unsportsmanlike manner may be disqualified from the event and future participation.

Safety and Courtesy:

• Strollers and headphones are discouraged. If using a stroller, start at the back and yield to others.
• If using headphones, keep volume low enough to hear instructions and traffic.
• Pets and  Service Animals are not allowed on site for any reason. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the safety of the Chimps takes ultimate priority. 
• Participants using mobility devices must contact race officials at least 4 weeks before race day.

RACE TIMING & SCORING RULES
Timing Types:

• Gun Time: Time from the official race start to when you cross the finish.
• Net Time: Time from when you cross the start mat to the finish line.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Overall Awards: Gun Time
• Masters (40+), Grandmasters (50+), Senior Grandmasters (60+), Age Group, Team Awards: Net Time
• Wheelchair/Hand Cycle/Mobility Device Users: Scored in separate categories; not eligible for standard awards.
• Stroller Riders and Virtual Participants: Not eligible for awards.

Note on Timing Systems:

Some chip timers use only finish mats, which means only gun time is recorded. If your chip doesn’t register at the start (due to going around the mat, obscuring your bib, or starting late), your net time will default to your gun time.
 
PRE-RACE ETIQUETTE
Registration & Packet Pickup:

• Preregister if possible.
• Pick up your bib before race day to ease congestion.
• Check the bib label to ensure accuracy.

Arrival & Line-Up:

• Arrive early, especially for race-day bib pickup.
• Use restrooms before the race.
• Line up according to your expected pace. Slower runners/walkers should move to the back.

Pay Attention:

• Listen to pre-race announcements and instructions.
• Avoid playing music during this time.
   

ON-COURSE RACE ETIQUETTE
At the Start:

• If you drop something, wait until others have passed before retrieving it.
• Don’t throw clothing onto the course—tie it around your waist or leave it off to the side.

Running Formations:

• Run/walk no more than two abreast.
• Don’t block others by swerving or spreading out in large groups.

Passing & Stopping:

• Move aside when someone says “Excuse me” or “On your right/left.”
• Step off the course to tie your shoe, take a call, or stop for any reason.

Awareness:

• Watch for traffic and always yield to emergency vehicles.
• Yield to wheelchair or mobility-impaired participants.

Children:

• Teach young participants to start at an appropriate pace and line up accordingly.
• Children should not stop abruptly; teach them to move to the side before slowing down.

 
AID STATION ETIQUETTE
Approaching Aid Stations:

• Move to the side, grab your items, and continue forward.
• If stopping, step aside without blocking access for others.

Disposing of Cups:

• Toss your cup to the side of the road, near the aid station, and drop it by your waist—not over your shoulder.

Be Kind:

• Thank volunteers
• Report any distressed runners to aid station staff with a bib number and approximate location. 

FINISH LINE ETIQUETTE
Headphones Off:

• Remove headphones to better hear instructions.

Finish Line Protocol:

• Follow race officials’ instructions.
• Non-participants accompanying you must exit the course before the chute.

After the Finish:

• Keep moving through the chute.
• Meet friends/family in a designated area.
• Post-race refreshments are for registered runners only.

Celebrate:

• Stay for the awards ceremony.
• Cheer on fellow runners and enjoy your accomplishments

AWARDS CEREMONY ETIQUETTE
Check Results Promptly:

• View results early if you believe you’ve placed.
• Report discrepancies to a race official before the ceremony starts.

During the Ceremony:

• Stay if you've won an award—it’s your moment!
• If there's an issue, don’t approach the stage; speak with a race official after the ceremony.
• If you missed your name, wait until the ceremony is over to request your award.

Be Respectful:

• Most events are volunteer-run.
• If you have feedback, share it positively with the race director or staff.

 
TIMING METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
Gun Time: Measured from the race start gun to when you cross the finish.

Net Time: Measured from when you cross the start mat to when you finish.

Timing & Award Methods:
1. Gun Time Only – All awards and results based on gun time.
2. Net Time Only – All awards and results based on net time.
3. Hybrid Method (Used by the Chimpathon):

• Overall Awards: Gun Time
• Masters/Grandmasters/Senior Grandmasters/Age Group/Team Awards: Net Time

Why Hybrid?
Competitive runners usually start at the front and are racing each other in real-time. Net time is fairer for age group and masters runners, who may not be in direct competition on the course.
 
Let us all run together with respect, safety, and good sportsmanship—so everyone can enjoy their race day experience. 🏃🐵👏

All Participants

• Finisher's Medals
• Chimpathon Tshirt
• Overall and Age Group awards
• Food and refreshments at the finish
• Professionally Chip Timed course
• Directly Benefits Save the Chimps

VIP Participants
All of the above plus:

• Free Race Registration – No entry fee when you commit to a fundraising goal.
• Limited-Edition Magnet – Celebrate your impact with a keepsake only available to fundraisers.
• VIP Chimpathon T-Shirt – Rock your role as a Chimp Champion in a special-edition shirt that sets you apart on race day.