Run to the Shrine

RACE INFORMATION

Course Info / Safety
Day-Of Schedule
Pricing
Pledge Gift
Volunteer
Vendors

Run to the Shrine Registration

- Advance online registration is required.

- Early registration begins Jan. 31, 2025.

Please Read and Agree

I understand that by purchasing a CMZoo membership, advance ticket reservations are required to visit the Zoo for Individual, Family, Grandparent and Family Plus members, and my preferred ticket date or time may not always be available. I also understand that memberships are non-refundable after purchase.

If free member tickets for my chosen day/time are not available, and I choose to purchase non-member tickets, they will not be refundable/reimbursable and cannot be applied to my membership renewal.

I also understand that the Zoo cannot accommodate an earlier entry time than my ticket start time. (For example, a 10:30-11 a.m. ticket cannot be scanned in earlier than 10:30 a.m.)

Please be courteous to your fellow members by not over-reserving tickets and returning tickets you can’t use. To release your tickets, email [email protected] prior to your ticketed date.

MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT

We believe we can create a feeling of family by treating each employee, guest, member and donor with the respect they deserve. Treating each other like we would want to be treated is just the right thing to do. There is no room at the Zoo for profanity, harassment or threatening behavior.

Our animals are family and we love and respect them not only for their beauty, but for all the joy they bring so many guests every year. We believe our animals deserve the best homes and care we can provide. Please join us in treating our animals like you would treat your own family members. Crossing barriers is dangerous, as they are in place to keep both you and our animals safe. Like your friends and family, our animals do not like to be harassed in any way.

We believe we should never take our site’s beauty for granted. Our mountain is something we hope you will enjoy and actively admire. Join us in preserving our amazing site by feeling at home while you are here and leaving our grounds “without a trace.”

Our staff strives to make the world a better place every day. We will always work hard to make your experience the best it can be as well as assist you when things might not go as planned. When having difficult discussions, mutual respect is always expected and appreciated.

“If you are unable to comply with this Code of Conduct, we reserve the right to revoke your membership and/or ask you to leave the Zoo. Thank you for understanding.

I agree to the information above.

Continue

4-Mile Run/Walk - Run like an Animal!

Run to the Shrine has become an annual Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tradition, and it is the only time of the year that guests are allowed to travel the breathtaking road to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun by foot. The course offers amazing views of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods as you ascend nearly 1,000 feet up to the Shrine and back down to the Zoo. In addition, Run to the Shrine is an important fundraiser for the Zoo.

Highlights of Run to the Shrine

Please Note:

Capacity for Run to the Shrine is limited. Advance registration is required; no registrations available at the front gate.
Advance registration is required for all run/walk participants over the age of 2. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children 2 & under are free as long as they remain in a stroller. No registration necessary for children 2 & under.
Updated Stroller Policy for 2025: We love our family participants! We strongly recommend reviewing our general course and risks information, especially before selecting a stroller to bring. Due to the course’s extreme mountain grade (which includes steep drop-offs and some areas without guardrails), we only allow jogging strollers that have a wrist or waist tether and hand brakes on the course above the Zoo. We will check to make sure your stroller meets those two requirements before we allow you to continue past the top of the Zoo, but beyond that, you are responsible for your family’s safety.
Spectator tickets must be purchased in advance. No ticket sales at the front gate. Spectator tickets are not required for children 2 & under. Spectator tickets do not include access to Shrine Road or any of the benefits of Run to the Shrine registration. These tickets are for Zoo access during the event only. Only registered run participants are permitted on the course above the top of the Zoo.
The race fee is not tax deductible, but any additional donations are tax deductible.
Refunds or exchanges for paid registrations and spectator tickets can be granted up to two weeks prior to the event date. (Please note: Race Roster processing fees are non-refundable.) No refunds or exchanges after Friday, May 2, 2025. Run to the Shrine will take place rain, snow or shine. No refunds or transfers for inclement weather. Please email [email protected] to request a refund or exchange.

Course Info / Safety:

Quick Info

There are no official timing services; Run to the Shrine is a fun run/walk.
Course distance: approximately two miles uphill and two miles back down into the Zoo.
Course elevation gain: nearly 1,000 ft.

Safety

Bring your own hydration. There will be water stations at mile markers 1, 2 and 3 on the race course, but bring your own water/water bottle for access to constant hydration. (Remember the elevation gain!)

For the safety of all participants, we do not allow skateboards, roller blades/inline skates/Heely's®, bicycles or pets in the Zoo or on the Run course.
Bring layers. The weather can change quickly on the mountain. We recommend bringing a warm removable layer and rain protection.
A True Mountain Experience: Shrine Road is an historic mountain road that extends beyond Zoo-maintained property. While we do a general safety check of the course before this event, some conditions and elements, like weather, are outside of our control. Here are some points to keep in mind:
   • Staff and volunteers with radios for emergency communication are available at volunteer water stops along the course. An ambulance is on-site for the event, to address minor medical needs or transport guests who need further medical attention to nearby hospitals.
   • Shelter from inclement weather will not be available along the course.
   • We are unable to efficiently or safely transport participants – unless there’s a medical emergency – while the course is open (5 to 7:30 p.m.).
   • This is not a timed event. If you do not wish to begin your ascent upon your arrival due to weather or any other concerns, you may begin anytime before 6:30 p.m. (All participants must be off Shrine Road and back inside the Zoo by 7:30 p.m.) If you don’t wish to participate at all, please be aware of our no-refund policy. (You will still have access to the Zoo and our post-race expo, and can still claim your shirt if you decide not to participate in the course above the Zoo.)

About the Course:

The Run to the Shrine race course starts by the gift shop, goes through the Zoo, up the mountain to Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, and back down into the Zoo. You’ll experience breathtaking views the entire time.

Near the halfway mark, the Shrine parking lot, a themed photo booth and incredible views of the city below provide the perfect backdrops for your celebratory summit photos. The Shrine grounds and building will be closed during the event.

You can begin your ascent after getting your ticket scanned at the Zoo’s Admissions booths between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Plan to start closer to 5 p.m. if you need more time to complete the course.

Experience the course, the Zoo and the Race Expo in whatever order you’d like, but be sure to begin the race course no later than 6:30 p.m. and finish no later than 7:30 p.m. You can stay in the main part of the Zoo until the event closes at 8 p.m.

Race-Day Schedule:

(Subject to change.)

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
RACE EXPO (see info below)
Lodge at Moose Lake
5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
START TIME WINDOW (there is no official start time)
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
COURSE ENTRANCE CLOSES
7:30 p.m.
COURSE CLOSES to all runners/walkers; remaining participants will be cleared from the course in a race vehicle
8 p.m.
ZOO CLOSES (don’t forget to leave time to visit animals!)

Race Expo:

Lodge at Moose Lake | 5 – 8 p.m.

Say hi to our amazing sponsors, vendors and volunteers.

Pick up your pledge gift if you raised $100 or more.

Purchase food and beverage next door at the Grizzly Grill.

Pledge Gift

Additional Support for the Zoo for an Extra Free Gift!

Make your support of the Zoo go even further! Ask your friends and family to join you in the support of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo by pledging a donation.

All donations will support important programs like:
– The care and enrichment of our animals,
– On-grounds breeding of endangered species like black-footed ferrets and Wyoming toads,
– Conservation projects around the world, and
– Education programs to foster a love of wildlife in our local youth.

When you raise $100 or more to support Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, you’ll receive an additional FREE GIFT, recognizing your commitment to the Zoo and conservation of wildlife. Choose from the following:

Choose from:
– NEW – Commemorative Run to the Shrine race socks
– Long-sleeve T-shirt
– Insulated water bottle
– Bamboo utensil set

(You will receive an email with details for pledges after you register.)

Pricing

– Age discounts will automatically apply during registration.
– See below for information about military, senior and membership discounts, and refund policy.

EARLY REGISTRATION Jan. 31 - Feb. 13	Members	Non-Members
Child (ages 3-11)	$15	$20
Youth (ages 12-17)	$30	$45
Adult (ages 18-64)	$35	$50
Senior (ages 65+)	$30	$45

REGULAR Pricing Feb. 14 - May 12	Members	Non-Members
Child (ages 3-11)	$20	$25
Youth (ages 12-17)	$35	$50
Adult (ages 18-64)	$40	$55
Senior (ages 65+)	$35	$50

RACE WEEK May 13 - 19	Members / Non-Members
Child (ages 3-11)	$30
Youth (ages 12-17)	$55
Adult (ages 18-64)	$60
Senior (ages 65+)	$55

Military Discount:

Choose Military registration for $5 off non-member race registrations or spectator tickets for active duty, veteran and retired military personnel, spouse and dependents living in the same household. Discount must be chosen at time of purchase; discount will not be applied retroactively. Cannot be used with any other discounts. Proper military ID must be shown at Admissions on race day. Bring any of the following to validate the discount for you, your spouse and your dependents living in the same household:

– A valid military/retired military ID
– A copy of your DD214
– Your state driver’s license printed with veteran indicator or military identifier
– Your ID issued by the VA, VFW or American legion
– A military spouse ID, if the military member is not present

If proper ID is not provided, the remaining balance of a race-day ticket will be charged at Admissions that day.

Senior Discount

Seniors must bring a valid photo ID showing their age of 65+ to validate their discounted senior tickets at the gate. If proper ID is not provided, the remaining balance of a non-senior ticket will be charged at Admissions that day.

Member Discount Pricing

Select the applicable member ticket when registering. Bring your ID to show at Admissions on race day in order to to validate membership status for your member registrations and spectator tickets.

Member pricing cannot be used with any other discounts. Discount must be used at time of purchase; discount will not be applied retroactively.

If proper ID is not provided, the remaining balance of a non-member race-day ticket will be charged at Admissions that day.

Refund Policy

Refunds or exchanges for paid registrations and spectator tickets can be granted up to two weeks prior to the event date. (Please note: Race Roster processing fees are non-refundable.) No refunds or exchanges after Friday, May 3, 2024. Run to the Shrine will take place rain, snow or shine. No refunds or transfers for inclement weather. Please email [email protected] to request a refund or exchange.

Rules, Regulations & FAQs

– Race registrations are limited. Advance registration is required; no registrations available at the front gate. No complimentary passes or coupons will be accepted.
– Only registered participants are permitted on the course above the top of the Zoo.
– For the safety of all participants, we do not allow skateboards, roller blades/inline skates/Heely’s®, bicycles or pets on the run course.
– Jogging strollers with tethers & handbrakes are welcome for the race. Strollers without this specific safety equipment are only allowed on a small portion of the race course, and will be turned around at the top of the Zoo for safety.
– Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 2 & under are free as long as they remain in a stroller with the appropriate safety equipment (tether and handbrakes).
– All fees are non-refundable. Run to the Shrine will go on as scheduled rain or shine, so please come prepared for inclement weather.
– The race fee is not tax deductible, but any additional donations are tax deductible.
– A True Mountain Experience: Shrine Road is an historic mountain road that extends beyond Zoo-maintained property. While we do a general safety check of the course before this event, some conditions and elements, like weather, are outside of our control. Here are some points to keep in mind:
   • Staff and volunteers with radios for emergency communication are available at volunteer water stops along the course. An ambulance is on-site for the event, to address minor medical needs or transport guests who need further medical attention to nearby hospitals.
   • Shelter from inclement weather will not be available along the course.
   • We are unable to efficiently or safely transport participants – unless there’s a medical emergency – while the course is open (5 to 7:30 p.m.).
   • This is not a timed event. If you do not wish to begin your ascent upon your arrival due to weather or any other concerns, you may begin anytime before 6:30 p.m. (All participants must be off Shrine Road and back inside the Zoo by 7:30 p.m.) If you don’t wish to participate at all, please be aware of our no-refund policy. (You will still have access to the Zoo and our post-race expo, and can still claim your shirt if you decide not to participate in the course above the Zoo.)
– Run to the Shrine will only include access to Shrine Road up to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun’s parking lot gate. Due to logistics, the Shrine grounds and buildings will be closed during the event.

We Invite You to Host an Exhibitor Booth

Run to the Shrine features a family-friendly 4-mile run/walk/stroll, and we want your organization to be a part of it!

High visibility, low overhead and big fun – the three key elements every organization looks for, Run to the Shrine guarantees all three.
Connect with one of the MOST POPULAR attractions in Colorado Springs!

Contact our Special Events Manager at 719-424-7847 or email [email protected] for details.

Sponsorship Information

If you would like to be a sponsor for Run to the Shrine, please contact Jenny Koch at 719-424-7814 or [email protected].

All proceeds from Run to the Shrine benefit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Special Thanks to Our Partners!

Visit Children's Hospital Colorado's Website

Visit Colorado Spring's Liberty Toyota's Website