Saturday, May 13, 2023

Menabe and Rizzo, the elusive black-and-white ruffed lemurs sit quietly at the entrance of the Ross Park Zoo - the fifth oldest zoo in the nation. Typically greeting visitors as they enter, those same visitors always forget to say goodbye to Menabe and Rizzo on their way out.

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As the Zoo closes, they nestle in for another evening and think to themselves:

“I have a great personality”.

“All the other lemurs tell me I’m good looking”.

“I have a lot of good jokes”.

“WHY DO WE ONLY GET TO SEE OUR VISITORS ONE TIME?”

And it was in this quiet reflection that the Inaugural Ross Park Zoo Loop the Lemur was born.

Join us on May 13, 2023 and loop the lemurs as many times as you can in a 6 hour, 2 hour or 1 hour event! With every lap that you complete, wave to the lemurs, take a selfie, give them an air high-five, and if you’re lucky - you might just hear them cheer you on! The more times you loop the lemurs, the happier they will be and the closer you will get to The Lemur Hall of Legends (we'll take your picture and hang it up inside their habitat for them to look at and remember until next year).

All participants of all abilities are invited to take part in this one-of-a-kind event, and can choose from 3 different events:

• Loop the Lemur 6 Hour

• Loop the Lemur 2 Hour

• Loop the Lemur 1 Hour

• Lemur to Leopard Family Fun Run

Each event is only timed, and consists of running the .8 loop inside the Ross Park Zoo as many times as you can. Run, walk, skip, crawl, LEMUR SHUFFLE - we don’t care!

Stick around after your event and celebrate at the Tail-Gate Party presented by Brooks (like…a lemur tail, get it?), where food, beverage, live music, and an all around good time will be provided!

All registrants will receive a custom Loop the Lemur shirt, custom medal, and access to the Tail-Gate Party presented by Brooks. Register by May 1 to guarantee your shirt on race day. All registrants after May 2 will be able to pick up their shirt at Confluence Running after the race, unless other arrangements are made.

Custom and one-of-a-kind awards will be given to:

• Overall Male and Female

• Second Place Male and Female

• Third Place Male and Female

Register today before prices go up May 6!

The black-and-white ruffed lemur, sadly, is a critically endangered friend. A portion of the proceeds will go back to The Ross Park Zoo in support of their efforts of conservation of their endangered species. Consider adding a tiny bit more to your registration to help keep Menabe, Rizzo, and their families safe in habitats that protect them and ensure their survival.

**Crew is not allowed on the course, but volunteering is a great way to get involved, too! Click on the VOLUNTEER tab above to see what's available!

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AID STATION & AMENITIES

BATS Aid Station

Thank you to our BATS friends for sponsoring the official race aid station!

This is a .8 mile loop within the zoo. In order to alleviate any unnecessary congestion on the pathway, crew is not allowed. 

An aid station will be provided to runners in the 6 and 2 hour events. Aid station items include your typical fare, but it isn’t a gourmet meal. 

Because of this, you are also encouraged to bring a drop bag to keep at the lemur with your own essentials or anything else specific you might prefer. You’ll be able to access it every time you pass by it. You cannot accept nutrition or support items on course from spectators. Doing so may result in a disqualification.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms inside and outside of the zoo will be open and available to use, but we highly recommend all runners use the provided portable toilets at the start and halfway points of the loop. We all know what things start looking like during any endurance feat - be kind to spectators and visitors, and try to stay away from the Zoo bathrooms.

RULES

1. Only completed laps will count towards your total. 

2. One completed lap qualifies you for an official finish.

3. You may complete as many, or as little (no less than 1) laps as you please.

4. Runners and walkers are allowed on the course and will be on the course at the same time. 

5. Please be courteous and be aware of your surroundings.

6. Headphones are strongly discouraged. This is a closed course, but it’s a path that will have other participants coming from behind you throughout the entire duration. Any accident that occurs as a result of headphones being worn will be an automatic disqualification.

7. Pacing is not allowed.

8. Crew is not allowed.

9. Participants are not allowed to receive aid or support outside of the aid station area.

10. Have a wicked good time!