Run Wild will take place on Sunday, September 28th, 2025 rain or shine! It takes a lot of people to put on a fun and safe run for over 1,000 participants! Check out our opportunities below for individuals, pairs, small and large groups!
What to Expect
Individual Roles
The Routes & Stations If you're interested in a pair or group role on the course, then check out our interactive Volunteer Course Map! Get a sense of where everything is an plan out your morning by finding the spots that are most interesting to to you.
Volunteer Perks
A free Run Wild Volunteer shirt* (*This excludes Kids Run Guide groups. See role for details.)
A short online training a week before the event going over details of where to go, what to expect, who's who, etc. so you're fully prepared for the day
A 40% discount at all HVZ eateries for the day
A 30% discount at the HVZ gift shop for the day
Volunteer Update emails with news about animals, upcoming volunteer opportunities, events and more!
Volunteering For All At HVZ we strive to make volunteering accessible to all by giving you as much information as possible and trusting you to know what is best for you. To that end, we've put descriptions of the physical & sensory environment under each role, where you can also find shift times and duty expectations. Please reach out to our volunteer department with any clarifying questions at all.
Weather Policy Run Wild occurs rain or shine. In the event of truly inclement weather, we may cancel the event. We will notify volunteers asap via text in the event we need to cancel.
Duties: Walk the 5K route taking photos of Run Guide & Water Station volunteers! Since most of us staff are on grounds, we don't get enough views of the action going on throughout the course. We'll be using these photos in future promotional materials, thank yous and social media posts.
Age Requirement: 18+
Physical Requirement: Must be able to comfortably traverse a, sometimes hilly, 5K course in a 1.5hr time span (The 5K starts at 8:15AM.).
Volunteering for All: Photographers must be able to provide their own equipment and be comfortable using it. They must be comfortable talking with people and able to make quick judgements about when to ask for poses vs. candid shots. This role is best for someone who operates well on their own with no supervision (as staff will be on grounds).
Duties: Help run participants feel supported before and after the race! Welcome runners and families to the grounds, direct participants and spectators to their areas, answer questions (We don't expect you to know all the answers to these things, and will provide you with a guide/training.)
Age Requirement: 18+
Physical Requirement: Must be able to be on your feet/moving the majority of the role. Guest Liaisons may have several stations throughout their shift and/or may adjust to crowd flow throughout the event.
Volunteering for All: This role requires grace under pressure, patience, the ability to start conversations with guests, and a positive attitude. It is best suited for those who enjoy meeting & helping new people, and who are able to easily interpret facial expressions & body language.
Duties: Register day-of participants. Hand out run bibs, shirts & pins. Answer runner questions (We don't expect you to know all the answers to these things, and will provide you with a guide/training.)
Age Requirement: 18+
Physical Requirement: Must be able to easily switch from sitting to standing, turn, bend over, and lift at least 10lbs.
Volunteering for All: This role is best for people who can focus on the task at hand in a possibly fast-paced environment. Registration takes place inside our Guest Services building. This building also houses our education animals that include several insects, mammals and reptiles. While we will not be interacting with these animals in the course of this role, we will be sharing space with their enclosures. This role may not be ideal for those with phobias surrounding these types of animals.
Duties: Be the early bird! Welcome onsite volunteers & get them to where they need to go. Once volunteers are checked in and going, work with event staff to walk the grounds and make sure everyone has what they need to make a successful run!
Age Requirement: 18+
Physical Requirement: Must be able to switch from sitting to standing easily. Must be able to be on their feet/moving for the majority of the role.
Volunteering for All: This role must know the zoo well, be comfortable communicating via radio with staff, and be able to stay flexible in changing conditions. This role is best suited for those who have volunteered in an ongoing role with HVZ previously.
Duties: Guide runners throughout the courses! Armed with streamers & chalk (and a first aid kit just in case), you're the cheerleaders for the day. Work as part of the support team to assist in the event of lost children, medical emergencies, etc. by acting as the communication points throughout the course.
Age Requirement: At least one out of the team must be 18+. The other volunteer should be at least 10+.
Physical Requirement: Must be able to sit/stand for the duration of the shift.
Volunteering for All: This role is mostly very flexible, and is excellent for those looking for a fun and easy opportunity.* (*Signing up for this role allows you to choose your preferences for where on the course you'd like to be. Some spots require a bit more directing of runners than others, and we highly suggest viewing the run map & checking the descriptions of each spot before you choose.).
Duties: Guide runners throughout the courses! Armed with streamers & chalk (and a first aid kit just in case), you're the cheerleaders for the day. Work as part of the support team to assist in the event of lost children, medical emergencies, etc. by acting as the communication points throughout the course. This role also takes on the kid's run. We may have large groups coming to join you. You are still very much needed, as, if we aren't able to get groups or someone doesn't show up, you're a very valuable directional point for kids on their run.
Age Requirement: At least one out of the team must be 18+. The other volunteer should be at least 10+.
Physical Requirement: Must be able to sit/stand for the duration of the shift.
Volunteering for All: This role is mostly very flexible, and is excellent for those looking for a fun and easy opportunity.* (*Signing up for this role allows you to choose your preferences for where on the course you'd like to be. Some spots require a bit more directing of runners than others, and we highly suggest viewing the run map & checking the descriptions of each spot before you choose.).
Duties: Provide runners with water and help guide them throughout the courses! We'll bring out tables, water jugs, cups and garbage bags. Your team will be in charge of prepping everything ahead of time (pouring cups, setting them up, etc.), and picking up afterwards and leaving for the race staff support to pick up. Also work as part of the support team to assist in the event of lost children, medical emergencies, etc. by acting as the communication points throughout the course.
Age Requirement: At least two out of the team must be 18+. The other volunteer should be at least 10+.
Physical Requirement: Must be able to sit/stand for the duration of the shift.
Volunteering for All: This role is ESSENTIAL to a fun and safe race. This role is best for a punctual group with excellent communication skills and a good deal of enthusiasm for getting a good water-hand-out rhythm going. This role is out on the course, and works independently with support from grounds, but no direct supervision.
Duties: Cheer on the kids and help herd the group! Keep kiddos from ages 2 and up on the path. Although the kids will zoom past you quickly, we'll have all the other participants and their families on grounds that morning. This is an excellent opportunity to get your organization visible to the community.
Age Requirement: 18+ (Youth volunteers age 16+ may be accepted from groups with which we've previously worked. Contact us if you're interested.)
Physical Requirement: Must be able to sit/stand for the duration of the shift.
Volunteering for All: This role takes place in a high-sensory environment - especially for those areas of the course that are closer to the beginning - and may not be suitable for those with audial & visual sensitivities. Otherwise, this role is very flexible, and all areas are accessible by wheelchair.
Please Note: Due to a limited supply of shirts, only the Group Lead (i.e. the person signing up the group) will receive a Henry Vilas Zoo volunteer shirt. However, all group members will receive discounts at HVZ eateries and gift shops for the day!
Giraffe Feeding
Giraffe Feeding
See our herd like never before in the memorable up-close encounter. This popular activity is a unique way to meet our reticulated giraffe herd and learn more about their unique adaptations.
Educational Encounters
Educational Encounters
The new giraffe pavilion will include new spaces that will allow us to expand our popular education programs. Interactive interpretive signs will ensure all guests have the opportunity to learn more about our work and ways to help protect animals in the wild.
Indoor Herd Room
Indoor Herd Room
The Herd Room will be the largest indoor animal space at the Zoo, welcoming guests year-round. Visitors will get an up-close view of how our animal care team takes care of these majestic animals.
African Birds and Other Mammals
African Birds and Other Mammals
The Edge of Africa: Giraffe will give Henry Vilas Zoo the opportunity to introduce new species to the public. Animals like the critically endangered Rüppell’s griffon vulture, which is vital to Africa’s ecology, and Marabou stork with an impressive wing span that can be over 9 feet wide!
A Unique Event Space
A Unique Event Space
The Giraffe Pavilion event patio will be one of the most unique settings for events in Madison. Designed for small events for up to 200 people, this space has also been designed with accessibility in mind.
Advanced Animal Care
Advanced Animal Care
Designed with healthcare in mind, our design includes a working barn that will showcase how our animal care team works with our animals to have them voluntarily participate in their own healthcare. A moving wall will allow our veterinary team to perform wellness checks, get weights, trim hooves, and even get blood draws and administer vaccines to our giraffe herd.
Pavilion Entry
Pavilion Entry
Set to be the largest construction project the Zoo has ever undertaken; the Giraffe Pavilion will champion a whole new generation of conservationists and bring Henry Vilas Zoo into the forefront of zoos in the U.S.
Exterior Herd Room
Exterior Herd Room
Designed with sustainability in mind, our new giraffe building will incorporate rainwater reuse, low-carbon concrete, require minimal fossil fuel use and utilize Dane County off-site renewables.
Aerial View of Interior
Aerial View of Interior
Guests will be welcomed into our working barn, where we will have space to share conservation stories and invite people to get up close with our giraffe herd year-round.
Indoor Herd Room
Indoor Herd Room
The indoor herd room will provide almost triple the amount of space as our old building and incorporate a large garage door to let in natural light.
Stall View
Stall View
In addition to the herd room, the giraffe pavilion will feature individual stalls that will allow our animal care team to provide world-class healthcare for our giraffe herd. Utilizing the newest advancements in giraffe care, this state-of-the-art facility will offer safe spaces for our veterinary team to provide care and comfort.
Giraffe Feeding Platform
Giraffe Feeding Platform
Our new feeding platform will bring guests face-to-face with the tallest mammals on Earth! Puzzle feeders and animal enrichment activities will allow guests to learn more about the unique adaptations of these animals.
