In-Person CubRun

The Oasis ZooRun CubRun is a 400-800m event for children ages 2-10 years old.

• Children ages 2-5 years old should run the 400m with a parent.
• Children ages 6-10 years old should run the 800m on their own.
• All CubRun participants will receive a finisher medal upon completion of the event. This is NOT a timed event.

Your registration includes:

• CubRun finisher medal
• Souvenir shirt
• CubRun bib
• Complimentary admission to the Toronto Zoo on race day
• Complimentary parking at the Toronto Zoo on race day

COVID-19 Policy – Updated August 26, 2022

Everyone registered for an in-person event is required to pick up their race kit, or have a friend or family member do so on their behalf. Note that kits will not be shipped or available for pick up after the race.

Following the guidelines of Athletics Canada, Athletics Ontario, Toronto Public Health, and in accordance with the Toronto Zoo, we have removed the requirement to show proof of vaccination for all eligible participants. Note that all registered in-person participants are required to abide by the Toronto Zoo’s admission policies that will be in place on the day of the event – September 17, 2022. 

For up-to-date information on the Toronto Zoo’s Policies, please click here.

Race Kit Pickup

Race Kit Pickup will be available for everyone taking part in the in-person event. Race Kit Pickup will be at the Toronto Zoo in the Education Building, just inside the main entrance to the Zoo.  

Pickup Dates & Times:  

Thursday, September 15th & Friday, September 16th: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.  

Picking up for a Friend?  

Please bring either their original Race Roster Registration Confirmation Email OR a text, e-mail, or hand-written note that states they allow you to pick up their race kit on their behalf 

*Note that the Zoo will only be open to guests from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Those wishing to visit the Zoo when picking up their race kit must arrive by 3:30 p.m. (the last admission for the day) and can purchase tickets and pre-pay for parking here: https://www.torontozoo.com/tz/tickets.

Note that participants’ complimentary admission is only valid on race day.

Those picking up their race kit and leaving immediately will not be required to purchase admission or parking.

*Race Kits will not be shipped or available for pickup after the race.

Start Line

CubRun Start Time – 9:15 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

The CubRun will start in multiple waves. Children will be assigned a start wave based on their age.

CubRun Start Location – Serengeti Bush Camp, in the African Savanna

Course Map

400m & 800m

Getting There

The Toronto Zoo is located north of Hwy 401 on Meadowvale Road in Toronto. Click here for Map and Directions to the Toronto Zoo.

From the 401

Take the Meadowvale Rd exit, travel north and follow the signs for the Toronto Zoo.

From the North

Before 7:30 a.m. travel south on Meadowvale Rd. Southbound Meadowvale Rd will be closed at Plug Hat Rd from 7:30–9:30 a.m. for the 10K race. 5K participants should access the Toronto Zoo from Meadowvale Rd and Sheppard Rd.

Participant Drop Off

If you are dropping off a participant, please use the Passenger Drop Off Loop. The Passenger Drop Off Loop has its own entrance and is designed for temporary parking while you are dropping off or picking up participants from the Toronto Zoo. Please exercise caution while in the Passenger Drop Off Loop due to the number of pedestrians and vehicles in the area at the same time.

The Passenger Drop Off Loop will be available until 7:30 a.m. for the 10K event and after 9:30 a.m. for the 5K event

By TTC

The TTC operates two bus routes to the Toronto Zoo, from four rapid transit stations. At the Zoo, all TTC buses serve a bus stop conveniently located close to the main entrance.

The 86A Toronto bus route operates to the Zoo from Kennedy Station every day during the summer. Buses run from about 6am to 8pm. After Labour Day, 86A Toronto buses operate to the Zoo from Monday to Friday only.

The 85 Sheppard East bus route operates to the Zoo from Don Mills Station and Rouge Hill GO Station on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. 85A “Via Toronto Zoo” and 85B “To Toronto Zoo” buses serve the Zoo directly, from about 7am to 8pm. Other 85 Sheppard East buses serve the Sheppard Avenue/Meadowvale Road intersection, where customers can transfer for 86A Toronto buses for the short trip to the Zoo.

Both TTC bus routes that serve the Zoo, as well as Don Mills Station, Kennedy Station and Rouge Hill Go Station, are accessible to customers who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

For more route information, visit ttc.ca

By GO Train

The Toronto Zoo is just minutes from the Rouge Hill Go Station. Board a TTC 85 Sheppard East bus to the Zoo right at the station. For more information, visit GO Transit’s webpage.

Road Closures

Temporary Traffic Disruptions 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Meadowvale Rd: Plug Hat Rd to Sheppard Ave

Local access available to the Toronto Zoo and Beare Rd Landfill via northbound Meadowvale Rd

Plug Hat Rd: Beare Rd to Meadowvale Rd

Old Finch Ave: Reesor Rd to Meadowvale Rd

Parking

Registered race participants receive complimentary parking into the Toronto Zoo on race day.

Southbound Lanes on Meadowvale will be closed to traffic from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. for the 10K race. The northbound lanes on Meadowvale will remain open during this time but expect serious delays.

10K participants must arrive before 7:00 a.m. to avoid missing the start of the race. In order to prepare for the 10K event, we will be closing the southbound lanes of Meadowvale Rd at 7:30 a.m.

If you get to Meadowvale after 7:30 a.m. you will miss the 10K race!

5K & Cub Run participants: The 10K race runs on Meadowvale Rd, therefore we must close the road for a short period of time. If you arrive before 8:30 a.m. you may have to wait in your vehicle until the 10K participants have passed. There will be 2,500 people in the 5K so please give yourself 45 – 60 minutes to park your car and get organized before the start of your race!

If you arrive at Meadowvale after 9:45 a.m. you will miss the 5K race!

Parking Timeline on Race Day:

Lot 1 — open until it is full

• If participants leave lot 1 between 10:00 am – 12:30 p.m. they can simply show their bib to security upon exiting the parking lot to exit free of charge.
• After 12:30 you will have to go to guest relations to get a parking ticket to leave free of charge

Lot 3* — you will be directed to park in lot 3 after lot 1 fills up.

• Participants are not required to show anything to leave this parking lot free of charge after the race

Lot 2* – you will be directed to park in lot 2 after lot 3 fills up.

• Participants will need to go to guest relations to get a parking ticket to leave this lot free of charge

*Lots 3 & 2 are each approximately 700m from the 10K start line so it will take you more than 5 minutes to walk to the start line from there.

Bicycle Parking

Bicycle racks are located outside of the Toronto Zoo main entrance.

Strollers

Strollers will be permitted for the In-Person 5K and the CubRun distances. For the In-Person 5K, the child in the stroller will not get a medal. Please note that anyone participating with a stroller will need to pay admission for their child in the stroller to enter the Zoo. There will be a 50% discount for the child in the stroller.

Registered in-person participants ca refer to their email titles Oasis ZooRun – Half Price Spectator Admission to the Toronto Zoo for instructions detailing how to pre-purchase these discounted tickets before race day.

Course Restrictions

Entry Limit

CubRun: maximum 700 participants

Adults

Adults should accompany their children ages 2-5 years old during the CubRun and strollers are permitted to start at the back. If the adult is not participating in the 10K or 5K events, half-priced admission must be paid. Registered in-person participants can refer to their email titled Oasis ZooRun – Half Price Spectator Admission to the Toronto Zoo for instructions detailing how to pre-purchase these discounted tickets before race day.

Finish Line

Please note — all children must be picked up by an adult at the finish area, following the guidelines below:

• All children will receive 2 identical bibs.
• One bib must be worn by the child participating.
• The second bib must be worn by the adult accompanying or picking up the child at the finish area.
• These procedures are in place for the safety of your children. Please respect our event staff as they take the time to check this at the finish area.

Event Notice

WHAT’S INCLUDED