Featured Running Event of the Week - Miller Park Zoo Stampede 5k

We return after a one week hiatus from Rock The Grid Festival / 12 Hours of Sebring IMSA race.

The Miller Park Zoo Stampede takes place is Bloomington, Illinois at Miller Park just off of Illinois's Historic Route 66. This event marks the 3rd zoo that I have run a 5k through/in; Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, and now Miller Park Zoo. Each one offers something different from the other.

The Miller Park Zoo begins with check-in/packet pickup inside the giant and picturesque Miller Park Pavilion. This is a historic giant building with picture windows presenting all sorts of different views of Miller Park. Definitely one of the gems of Miller Park. (The post-race food and awards take place here as well).

Runners then move to the Miller Park Zoo parking lot, just outside the Zoo entrance for the start. The course circles the perimeter of Miller Park twice, before swinging out into the established neighborhood for about a mile of neighborhood street running. The course then runs along side the Miller Park Lake and re-enters the Park itself. At this point, many of the 5k runners are now meeting up with the 2 mile walkers. All participants continue past the Pavilion and into the zoo. The course winds its way though 90% of the zoo on the established zoo walkways. The Zoo section adds a new element to the race, with narrow passage ways and tight and frequent turns. A great way to enter the home-stretch of the race. Definitely saw all the runners smiling as they navigated the zoo twists and turns. Runners then exit the zoo, pass the pavilion one last time and head straight up the center of the park to the finish line.

Two times around the Park gives runners ample opportunity to see the war memorials, the pavilion, the lake, the scenery, the train cars, and of course the Zoo up close near the end. The course is primarily flat with some rolling hills and excellent and friendly course workers throughout.

This year's awards were actually "made" by the zoo animals, using paint and a paper - a very unique award. There were given out three-deep by overall and age category.