Wild Strides 5K

Celebrate Earth Day with John Ball Zoo at the Wild Strides 5K & Kids Half Mile, an evening of movement, family fun, and wildlife!

The Wild Strides 5K starts at John Ball Zoo, winds through the scenic Kent Trail, and finishes inside the Zoo. Runners and walkers will experience a unique course surrounded by nature and the sights and sounds of the Zoo. All 5K participants receive an official race T-shirt, finisher medal, and a ticket to the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival.

Our Kids Half Mile is a fun, energetic race designed especially for young runners, with the entire course taking place inside John Ball Zoo! Kids will race through the Zoo for a one-of-a-kind experience before crossing the finish line and celebrating their accomplishment. All Kids Half Mile participants receive a race T-shirt and finisher medal.

But Wild Strides is more than just a race! The Race Day Village will be the place to kick off the celebration and stick around after the finish. Families can enjoy a variety of activities, including a bounce house, face painting, a DJ, food trucks and local booths, ambassador animals, and opportunities to learn more about the Zoo and the wildlife we work to protect. There will be plenty to see, do, and enjoy for the whole family.

Whether you're racing the 5K, cheering on a young runner, or simply joining us for the celebration, Wild Strides is a fun way to get moving, connect with your community, and kick off Earth Day at the Zoo.

Come run wild, celebrate Earth Day, and make an evening of it at John Ball Zoo!

📍 EVENT DETAILS 

DATE: Tuesday, April 20, 2027

LOCATION: John Ball Zoo: 1300 Fulton Street West, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

SCHEDULE: 

• Packet Pickup & Pre Race Festivities - 5:00 PM
• Kids Half Mile - 6:00 PM
• 5K Race - 7:00 PM
• 5K Fun Run/Walk - 7:10 PM

🅿️ PARKING: All participants should park in the John Ball Zoo parking lots

• Parking is free for all participants and spectators.
• When you arrive, you may need to take a ticket at the gate, but no payment or validation is required.
• Exit gates will open automatically on race night.
• Please follow directional signage and staff guidance
• We recommend arriving early to allow time for parking & check-in

Run Wild, Young Striders!

Designed just for kids, the Wolverine Worldwide Youth Half-Mile is an exciting, high-energy half mile experience that takes place entirely inside John Ball Zoo.

This race is the perfect introduction to running and a fun way to build confidence, celebrate movement, and be part of something special.

Race Details:

📅 April 21, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM Start
📍 John Ball Zoo Main Entrance 

The race is approximately a half-mile and designed with young runners in mind - entirely in the Zoo!

What Kids Receive:

Every participant receives:

• Official Wild Strides race t-shirt
• Finisher Medal
• The thrill of crossing a real finish line
• A cheering Crowd

No matter their speed, every child is celebrated!

Fun For The Whole Family!

The fun begins at 5:30pm with:

🎧 DJ & Music
🎨 Facepainting
🏰 Inflatables
🌮 Taquero Mucho Food Truck
🍧 Kona Ice

Families are encouraged to come early and stay after to enjoy the full Wild Strides experience!

We are excited to offer three pre-race packet pickup times for you to save time and skip the line day of the race! See below for dates and times. All packet pickups will be at John Ball Zoo located by the Front Plaza Area by entrance going in to the Zoo. If you are unable to make it prior to the race, we will be ready to go at 5PM day of the race for you to check-in and receive your bib and tshirt. 

Location: 
John Ball Zoo
1300 Fulton St. W
Front Plaza Area by Entrance of Zoo 

Dates & Times

• Wednesday, April 15th: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM - AT GOEI CENTER
• Friday, April 17th: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Monday, April 20th: 1:00 PM - 5:00PM
• Day of Race starting at 5:00PM. 

What to Expect: 
You will receive the following at packet pickup: 

• Bib Number
• T-Shirt
• Lanterns Voucher (5K participants only)