Mini 1 mile sprint is for all ages, but awards are only given out to children ages 2-11.

The majority of this course goes through the pathways of the zoo and includes a few all-terrain sections (gravel 5%, grass 20%, dirt 5%, pavement 70%). Parents can run with their children, but must purchase their own Mini race ticket. Children 3 and under do not need a ticket. Strollers are permitted but must be able to handle all-terrain.

All Mini participants ages 2 and older need a ticket (including chaperones).
Children ages 2-7 must have a participating parent or chaperone.(Parents may also designate a responsible older sibling or friend to be the chaperone for these kids.)
Participants receive a free ticket to visit the zoo on race day.
Many animals will not be out on exhibit during the run for their safety. These animals will be available to see after the Zoo opens for the day.
This fun run is timed.
 

This all-terrain 5k starts through the inside of the zoo then spans the perimeter of the Zoo.  The course passes many off-site facilities such as the Cheetah Conservation Center.  The all-terrain course consists of mostly dirt, mulch, and grass trails with some gravel and asphalt pathways. The trail has winding turns, some rolling hills, bridges over many creeks, beautiful views, a few steep hills, and sights of exotic wildlife.

• All 5k participants ages 5 and older need a ticket (including chaperones).
• Children ages 5-10 must have a participating parent or chaperone.(Parents may also designate a responsible older sibling or friend to be the chaperone)
• Participants receive a free ticket to visit the zoo on race day.
• This 5k race is timed.

Are you tough enough to “escape extinction”? Find out as you test your balance, strength, stamina and mental perseverance while confronting up to 39 obstacles along an approx. 2 mile course, including 21 Ninja Warrior style obstacles. Representing challenges encountered by endangered animal species, these obstacles are not for the faint of heart. 

This is not a race and will not be timed; your goal is to “escape extinction” by conquering obstacles. Contestants receive points for completing obstacles with varying levels of difficulty and their “survival success” will be determined by measuring their points accumulated utilizing the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species’ nine categories which are used for classifying species at high risk of global extinction: Not Evaluated, Data Deficient, Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, and Least Concern."

Contestants who complete all obstacles successfully will earn the title "Unlikely To Become Extinct In The Near Future", be remembered with a photograph on our wall of "Least Concern Champions" website page and receive free entry into their next Wild Ninja.

Let’s Go! It's time to get "evaluated." Gather your friends and prepare to represent your "species" to prove that you won't go extinct!

• Wild Ninja is for anyone 8 years and older. (participants ages 8-14 need a Ninja ticketed adult competing with them)
  • Younger children should have previous obstacle experience before attempting Ninja.  
• Up to 42 OCR or Ninja Warrior type obstacles of varying levels of difficulty! 
• Not a timed Race - Wild Ninja is measured on obstacle completion.
• Obstacles will close at 1:30pm and all competitors must finish by this time.
  *Participants get a free ticket to visit the zoo on race day.
• Competitive and Open Waves are scored together.  
  • Competitive waves are reserved for participants that are going to move rather quickly through the obstacles.  
  • If you are new to ninja, please pick an open time slot so that the more competitive players can get through before you. 
    
    Competitive competitors can go in the open waves too. 

This is a ticket is for those who want to travel with & spectate their wild ninjas for the entire 2 mile course.  They will see all 10 animal challenges. (Animal Challenges 8-10 do not require a spectator pass to spectate)

This ticket is great for those who need to accompany their children age 8-14 years old but do not want to participate on the obstacles.

*Ninja Full Access Spectator's receive a free ticket to visit the zoo on race day.
*Any Ninja Spectator may purchase a shirt for a $15 fee.