ART construction could impact fundraiser
The New Mexico BioPark Society’s annual Run for the Zoo will be a little trickier for participants this year. Getting there, that is. Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction on Central Avenue has made driving courses to the zoo more difficult to navigate. It won’t affect running paths for Sunday’s annual races, but ART construction and the traffic snarls that come with it do figure to impact the BioPark’s popular fundraiser.
First, participants would be well advised to allow extra travel time. Races begin with a halfmarathon starting at 7 a.m. and continue through a 1-mile fun run that begins at 11 a.m.
Second, there will be opportunities for late registration as this year’s 32nd annual Run for the Zoo is not yet sold out. Unlike in previous years, runners can still register today during packet pickup at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center or on Sunday at the race site. (Race-day registration cost $5 extra.)
BioPark events director Taylor Pellegrini said the Run for the Zoo typically reaches its 12,000 participant limit during early registration. Those numbers are down but nearly 10,000 people had registered as of Friday.
“It’s always a really popular event,” Pellegrini said, “especially the 1-mile fun run. It’s starts behind the park and runner go past the elephant pens and see some other animals. Kids and families seem to love that.”
The Run for the Zoo is the BioPark’s second-largest annual fundraiser (River of Lights is the largest) and brings in roughly $200,000. Variety is part of the event’s popularity. Run for Zoo has events for serious runners, including the half-marathon, 10K and 5K runs, along with more relaxed events like the fun run and a 5K fitness walk.
“We always have some elite runners,” Pellegrini said, “and we award medals to everyone in the half-marathon. But it’s a good event for recreational runners and even walkers. It’s really a nice environment.”
Packet pickup and registration will be held today from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th Street NW). Pre-registered runners can also pick up packets on race day at late registration but are asked to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to their event. Runners planning to register on Sunday should plan to arrive an hour before their event’s starting time.