Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle

🎉 Event Overview

Join the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and Fleet Feet Montclair for a wild morning of miles and fun!

📅 Date and Time

• Date: Saturday, October 18
• Time: 8:30 AM
• Start: The Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex
• Finish: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

🐧 Race Details

Get ready to waddle, run, or walk your way through a 3-mile course (or take the 1.3-mile Safari Shortcut) before crossing the finish line inside the Zoo for a one-of-a-kind celebration!

• Post-run Admission: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo admission is included with registration. Stick around after the run to explore and say hello to the animals.
• Exclusive Giveaway: The first 300 participants to register will receive a custom pom-pom beanie (a $35 value).
• Family Friendly: This event is perfect for the whole family—whether you sprint like a cheetah, stroll like a tortoise, or waddle like a penguin, everyone’s invited to join the fun.
• Encouraged Attire: Costumes, animal spirit, and family smiles are highly encouraged!

📦 Packet Pick-Up

• Early Pick-Up (Recommended!):
  📍 Fleet Feet Montclair – 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043
  📅 Friday, October 17
  ⏰ 2:00 – 6:00 PM
• Event Day Pick-Up:
  📍 The Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex – 9 Cherry Ln, West Orange, NJ 07052
  📅 Saturday, October 18
  ⏰ 7:30 – 8:30 AM

👥 Spectators

Want to cheer on your family and friends at the finish line inside the Zoo?

• Official Spectator Pass: Spectators will need an Official Spectator Pass to enter the Zoo early before it opens to the public.
• Discounted Rate: We’re offering a special discounted $10 rate (normally $22) so you can join the finish line celebration and explore the Zoo afterward.
• Purchase Locations: Day of spectator passes will be available for purchase at the start and zoo entrance.

🚗 Parking

This is a point to point run. Meaning the start and finish area are in two different places. The start is near The Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex and the Finish is in the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.

• Parking Location: Parking closest to the start is across Cherry Lane at the Oakdale Parking Lot in the South Mountain Reservation.
• Additional Parking: There are additional parking lots and garages throughout the South Mountain Recreation Complex.

This is not an official race. There is no event timing. Details are subject to change.

🔗 More Information

For registration and further details, visit the official race page: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Penguin Waddle.