FAQ’S: Run for Nature March 2026 

How much is entry?   

Entry to the 10K race is £45, entry to the 5K race is £37 and entry to the Kids Zoom 1 mile race is £20. If you're a member of Chester Zoo - you should have received discount codes unlocking seriously good discounts! Check your emails from Chester Zoo to find your discount code. Every entry includes admission to the zoo on 20/09/2026 if you wish to spend some time here after the race, all you need to do is show your medal at the gate to enter. There is also a discount for your supporters of 25% that will be emailed to all runners before the event. Runners must accompany spectators and show their medal to gain access to the zoo.

What age is the children’s run for?   

The ‘Zoom’ is for 4–15-year-olds.   

How old do you have to be to enter the races?   

You must be 16 to enter the 10K race and 11 to enter the 5K. 

Can 11 - 17-year-olds sign up themselves for the race?   

They can but they need a parent or guardian to fill in the waiver on the form.   

I am a wheelchair user and have specific access requirements, can I take part? 

You are welcome to take part in your wheelchair; the route will be through the zoo and on closed roads around the local area. You may wish to scope out the route to see if it is suitable but in theory there is nothing to stop you taking part.  

Can I run with a running buggy?

Yes, you can take part in the race with a suitable running buggy. The route will be through the zoo and on closed roads in the local area.

What time do the runs start? 

The Kids 1 Mile Zoom is scheduled to start at 8:30am, the 5K is scheduled to start at 8:45am and the 10K is scheduled to start at 9:00am. We are expecting the event to be busy, please ensure you arrive in good time for your race, we advise between 7:00am and 8:00am. If there are any changes to this you will be notified by email ahead of the day, so please keep an eye on your emails!  

Can I go straight into the zoo after I’ve finished the run?   

That depends how quickly you complete the run! The zoo fully opens at 11:00am. Don’t forget there will also be our event village where there will be activities and food and drink options to keep you entertained and where you can re stock on energy for the day! 

Will I see any animals?   

Some of our animals may still be in their houses at the time of the race but you will certainly be able to see lots of animals if you make use of your free access to the zoo after the race.   

Can I dress up as an animal or in fancy dress?  

Seeing people dressed as animals can cause distress to some of our animals, so it is not something we can permit. We will be offering face painting, and our amazing team will be in the event village on the day should you wish to do so.   

Can I run with my child in the Kids 1 Mile Zoom?  

Yes, we are happy for an adult to accompany a younger child if they would like to do so and you do not need to register to run the race to do this, just let us know when you register your child and provide the details requested.  We will send out a wristband within your pack to match your child’s bib number.  

Can we bring the dog?  

You can bring your dog along with you to the event village provided you have someone to look after them whilst you take part in the run. We ask that all dogs are kept on leads and any mess picked up. Chester Zoo is very mindful of animal welfare, so it is prohibited to leave dogs in your car and any dogs found in cars may be reported. Please note that dogs are not allowed near the main entrance area or in the zoo, so if you wish to take advantage of your free ticket, you will need to leave your dog at home.   

Will there be toilets?  

There will be plenty of toilets both in the event village and around the zoo itself for you to use.   

Can we watch the races from inside zoo?  

Due to activity within the zoo getting ready for the day, we cannot permit non-runners inside the zoo until the normal opening time. The exception to this is people who are accompanying their children on the Zoom.  

Will there be food and drink available?   

There will be plenty of hot drinks and food available on the day in our event village or of course we have a wide choice of restaurants and kiosks in the zoo should you choose to use your free entry.   

Is there parking?   

Yes, there is free onsite parking in the zoo's main car park, which is adjacent to the event village, so you can leave any bags etc in your car.  Please note that a large proportion of our car parking spaces will be on grass and it may be muddier at this time of year. We do please ask that all runners and spectators come in one vehicle where possible. With limited time to ensure all runners are ready for their run start time it will be really helpful for our zoo team to be able to park everyone as safely and quickly as possible. 

Is there anywhere to leave bags?   

Yes, there will be a small bag drop area although we recommend that if you bring your car, you leave any belongings in your car. Please note any bags are left at your own risk and Chester Zoo cannot be held responsible for any loss or theft of bags if you leave them at the bag drop or in your car.  

Is water provided?   

You will be able to top up on water in our event village and once along the route but in line with our sustainability policy regarding single use plastic, there will not be any water bottles available. We recommend you bring your own bottle to fill up.

Are there photos being taken?   

Our photographers will be there on the day so keep an eye out on social media. There will also be a place for you to take pictures. If you do not want your picture to be taken, please let us know on the day and we will provide you with a sticker to put on your bib.   

Where will the fundraising money for the race go?  

We're committed to protecting tigers through our work with critically endangered tigers at the zoo, as well as our Living with Tigers project, which addresses habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict in Nepal. A rise in tiger populations has led to increased competition for land and resources, resulting in dangerous encounters with local communities. 

By taking part in Run for Nature this September, you’ll help protect these majestic animals and support the vital conservation work we deliver here at the Zoo and across the globe, so tigers can thrive for generations to come.

Do I have to raise sponsor money and is there a minimum amount?  

We would love it if you took part in Run for Nature at Chester Zoo and raised money for our work to protect tigers, the largest big cats and among the biggest carnivorous land mammals on Earth. There is no minimum amount to raise and it is not something you have to do. However, as a registered charity that relies on public funding - we do hope it's something you will consider. Plus, there will be a free cuddly tiger plush toy for everyone who raises more than £65 - and there are prizes for our highest fundraisers!    

How do I get my cuddly toy if I’ve raised the £65 sponsorship?   

We will be handing them out after the race on the day at the event village. We will be keeping an eye on those people who hit the target so will have a list but if you get to £65 the day before or even on the day, just bring along proof and you will be able to claim your reward. You MUST collect your cuddly toy before the event village closes at 11:00am.  

How can I raise money?  

You can raise money by using the fundraising page that has been created for you on Enthuse. You can add a message about why you are doing the run to personalise it, add your training progress and send out to family and friends who may want to get behind you and support our cause. Seeing those donations come in can really help with motivation for the big day. There are of course other platforms but Enthuse is the easiest for you as it is already set up once your go through the registration process.   

Can I run the race for another charity?  

We would love it if you took part in the Run for Nature at Chester Zoo to help us raise money for our work with UK wildlife . The event is very much about saving these incredible animals and raising awareness on the issues they face. If you wish to run to support another charity, there are other races in the area where you would be able to do this.   

I am a member so I don’t get benefit of free entry, why isn’t it that much cheaper for me?   

Our members have been offered discounts to Run for Nature 2026.  Please check your emails from Chester Zoo to find your discount code. If you need any help, please email [email protected] and they will help you find your discount code.   

Why is there an admin fee?  

The service fee is to ensure that as much of the money raised as possible goes toward our work with tigers. We appreciate and value your support in this.   

Why are you using Enthuse?   

Enthuse is a platform used by many charity runs, including the London Marathon to manage the registration and communication process. We love that you can also manage your fundraising there too in a ready-made page: it keeps things simple for everyone.  

How do I unsubscribe from emails?  

There is an option to unsubscribe at the end of each email. We will still contact you about the run though.  

What time do I need to arrive?  

The roads around the zoo can get busy ahead of Run For Nature, so we suggest you aim to arrive at least 60 minutes before your race start time, taking account for time to park your vehicle. This is to ensure we can check you into the event village and make sure you have everything you need before you start! If there are any changes to schedules between now and the race day - we will be in touch to confirm.  

What should I bring on the day?   

We will be sending out your bib prior to the event, so you need to ensure you bring that with you. If you have any issues before, please contact [email protected] or head to the registration desk on the day where we will have a number of spares. You should bring a water bottle as there will not be water out on the route. You can fill your bottle in the event village prior to the race though! If you are planning on spending the rest of the day in the zoo, do wear some comfy shoes as those sore feet won’t get much of a rest!  

Do I need to train?   

We suggest fitting in a few practice runs to match your fitness level. With two race options available, you can kick things off with our 5k and build up to a 10k with us! 

Is there an emergency contact number?  

The emergency number for the day is 07908 918198. A member of our event control team will have that number on the day. 

Will my run time be tracked?   

Yes, your time will be tracked for the 10K and 5K but not for the Kids 1 Mile Zoom. Race times will be available after the event through the Chester Zoo event page.  

Will there be a cut off time?   

The road closures are in place for 2 hours which should be enough time for people to complete their course.