2025 Predator & Prey 5k

Name: 2025 Predator & Prey 5k
Start: 2025-10-04T10:00:00-04:00
Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008-2537, United States

Schedule

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025 at 10:00 am

UTC-04:00

Location

3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008-2537, United States | Washington, DC

https://bishopsevents.com/event/2025-predator-and-prey-5k/

Points count towards 5k & Back of the Pack Series. Points will also count towards the Fall Series. Find more info about the series here.
Register Now!
Please note that Bishop’s Events promo/discount codes cannot be used to register for this event.
You must have or create a Smithsonian account in order to register for this event.
Embrace your inner animal at the Predator and Prey 5K, hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Join hundreds of runners and walkers as you move for a mission: supporting the Zoo’s animal care and conservation programs.
Whether you sprint like a cheetah or pace yourself like a Przewalski’s horse, this race through the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a true test of endurance and animal instinct.
Age Minimum: Participants must be 18 years or older with a valid ID to enter the event.

Runners Receive
Event Shirt, Medal & A Chip Timed Event

Charity Information

Race Start Times
5k – 7am
The entry gates will be open for runners from 6 to 7 a.m.

Registration Fees
5k – $75

T-Shirt Design
T-shirt design for the race is available here as soon as it has been approved.

Race Medal
Race medal designs can be viewed on the Friday before the race on the Bishops Events Facebook page or our Instagram page.

Course Maps can be found at
The race takes place at the Zoo, a hilly and scenic landscape within Rock Creek Park that includes natural hills and sweeping vistas. The route starts near the Zoo’s Harvard Street entrance, brings runners along the outer vehicle road and up the challenging North Road hill, and continues inside the Zoo. Racers should be on the lookout for animals as they speed past exhibits like the Asia Trail, Primates, Bird House, American Trail, and Elephant Trails — on a path usually reserved for the animals themselves! Finish strong near Lion-Tiger Hill and roar across the finish line.

Live Race Results
Live results will be posted on Athlinks.com. Additionally, there will be a QR code at the race for you to scan to immediately view your results. Final race results with series points will be posted to our website on the Monday following your race.
Runner tracking is now available when you sign up for a race with Bishop’s Events. Click on the green SMS button (see example below) at the end of your registration and have your race updates sent to your mobile device as well as those of your friends & family so they can track your race progress.

Awards
We award the top 3 men and women overall during our awards ceremony post-race. We also award the 1st & 2nd place Male and Female in these categories: 19&Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, & 70+. Runners who place top 3 overall in their race are not eligible to also win their age groups.

Photos
We will post any photos taken by staff on our Facebook page by Tuesday after the event.

Social Media Challenge
On Tuesdays, we pick our favorite Instagram or Facebook post from the previous race weekend. The winner will receive 50% off a future race! Make sure to tag us in your race photos at:
Instagram: BishopsEventsLLC
Facebook: BishopsEvents

Packet Pickup
All participants MUST complete a waiver form and pick up their race packet prior to the event.
Dates
Thursday, Oct. 2 | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Race Day Registration
Race is limited to 500 participants. Once 500 participants have registered, registration will be closed.

Water Stations
Water will be available at the halfway mark in the course.

Restrooms
Restrooms can be located around the zoo.

Weather Policy
Weekly weather reports are posted on the Thursday before race weekends on our Facebook page by Chad Merrill with the Hagerstown Almanack. Race officials may delay, change or postpone the event due to weather conditions. All registered runners will be notified via email of any changes. In most cases, a decision is not made until the night before the race, and a decision could come as late as the morning of the event.

Refunds & Transfers
From the Smithsonian: Per our terms of sale, all ticket purchases are nonrefundable.

Directions to Parking
Runners who are driving should enter via our Connecticut Avenue entrance and park in Parking Lot D. Those walking or taking mass transit to the race can enter via Connecticut Avenue. Upon arrival, 5K tickets, parking passes and spectator entry passes will all be scanned in for admittance.
Starting line is at Parking Lot D (lower part of the Zoo). Upon entry, you’ll be guided to the starting line by signs and event staff. Click here for the zoo map.