Join us for the WILDEST 5K in town!
Throo the Zoo
Dash on over to the Zoo to take part in Louisville’s only road race that doesn’t just go around the Zoo but actually “Throo” the Zoo. Enjoy an early morning adventure where you watch as the Zoo wakes up! Join us on May 10th at 8:00 am for one amazing Louisville Zoo experience.
Packet pick-up will take place on Friday, May 9th from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm in the bus lot at the Louisville Zoo (1100 Trevilian Way, 40213). If you are unable to pick up your packet or have a friend/family member pick it up for you on Friday, we will have a limited packet pick-up on race morning from 6:45 am until 7:45 am. Please plan to arrive early enough to get your bib and get to the start line on time.
Registration Information
Your registration fee includes a one-of-a-kind race experience, a commemorative t-shirt, unique finishers medal, post-race refreshments, entry to win door prizes, and a FREE ticket to come back and visit the Zoo at a more leisurely pace! Register today before the price goes up!
- Through January 10: $25
- January 11 – February 15: $30
- February 16 – April 12: $35
- April 13 – May 9: $40
- May 10 – Race Start: $50
* Children in strollers are free, but do not receive a t-shirt, race bib, commemorative finishers medal, or free ticket for a return visit.
Check out our 2025 Race Swag!
All races recieve a free cotton t-shirt. Upgrade to a tech, performace shirt for a small fee.
Swags Costume Contest
Join us for the 2025 Throo the Zoo Costume Contest sponsored by Swags Sports Shoes. Let your imagination run wild and dress in your favorite animal costume! Runners with the most creative costume will receive a prize pack from our generous sponsors.
The rules are simple: take a photo of your costume during or after this year’s run on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Then, comment your photo and runner number(s) on the Zoo’s Facebook post calling for submissions. Participants will be entered into a contest for a chance to win a prize package.
The winners will be featured on our website and social media, plus receive a prize package.
Contest Rules:
- Participants must have participated in the 2025 Throo the Zoo 5k Run/Walk.
- Submissions must include your runner number(s) along with your photo or have it clearly visible in your photo submission.
- Photos may include one costumed individual or costumed group of up to six individuals.
- Photos must be submitted by May 12, 2025 on the Louisville Zoo Facebook post calling for entries.
- The photos with the most reactions by TUESDAY, May 13 at 5 p.m. will be chosen the winners.
Process: Louisville Zoo staff will announce winning costume contest submissions for the categories of:
Top voted group submission (up to 6 people per group)
Top voted pair submission
Top three voted individuals
- Winners will be notified on the Zoo’s social media along with the general public on May. 14, 2024, where the winners will be announced and photos displayed.
- Prize: The winners will have their photos displayed on our website and social media. Each winner (individual winners and each person in group) will receive one (1) award certificate, one (1) $25 gift certificate to Swags Sports Shoes and one (1) code for free registration to the 2026 Throo the Zoo run. Codes are eligible for use by the winner(s) only when 2026 Throo the Zoo registration becomes available and are not transferable.
- Contest entrants agree that, if their photo is selected as a winner, the Louisville Zoo may use the entrant’s name and photo for promotional purposes possibly including, but not limited to, social media posts and an official announcement on the Louisville Zoo website.
- All contest entrants agree to have their photo used in promotional purposes including advertising, social media, brochures and signage.
- Contest entrants will not be compensated or reimbursed for their photo submissions.
- The contest is open to participants of Throo the Zoo. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply and all taxes are the responsibility of the winner.
- Those submitting photos into the contest must be over 18. The subjects of the photos may be of any age.
- All entrants agree to release the sponsors from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses of any kind to persons and property, including any accident, loss, injury or death resulting from entry into the sweepstakes and/or occurring or in any way related to the prizes.
- Please note: your category will be based upon how many registered runners are in your photo. Example: photos of mothers with infants are counted as individual entries.
