Tulsa Zoo celebrates 53 years of family run fun with 2023 Ascension St. John ZooRun Presented by CommunityCare, scheduled for Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. The event will include a 5k, 10k and the Ascension St. John 1-mile Fun Run. Runners may choose from in-person or virtual options.

For safety purposes, the gates to Mohawk Park will close at 8:20 a.m. on race day and will reopen to the general public at 10 a.m.

“Hosting the run on Earth Day is special because it allows Tulsa Zoo to celebrate our conservation mission in a meaningful way with run participants and zoo guests throughout the day,” said Tulsa Zoo Director of Development Monica Ericson-Simmons. “In addition to our post-race hospitality event, we’re offering a special Earth Day Party for the Planet with vendors, at-home conservation ideas, Earth-friendly crafts and special keeper chats for endangered species at Tulsa Zoo.”

Ascension St. John ZooRun Presented by CommunityCare is Tulsa’s second-oldest race. Proceeds from the event will benefit the new William S. Smith African Wilds: Carnivores complex, which is expected to break ground in 2023. African Wilds: Carnivores will provide a much-needed new home for lions, painted dogs, meerkats and other African animals. In addition, it will introduce pygmy hippos and bring back a favorite of zoo guests, zebras.

For each group of five or more that signs up through a school or club, Tulsa Zoo will donate $1 per runner back to the participant’s school. The top three schools with the most registered runners also will receive prize money.

Thank you to the following race sponsors: title sponsor Ascension St. John, presenting sponsor CommunityCare.