Race date 29 April 2018.  Report by Liam Russell.

Run as if being chased by Lions

The Run for Wildlife Spring 5k is run by Curly’s Athletes and is held in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. The route itself gives the runners the chance to run alongside some amazing animals including Lions, Tigers, Rhinos, Baboons and many more. The race itself has won the best 5k National and Yorkshire awards in the 2018 Running Awards. As part of the entry, you get entry into the park and discounted entry fees for friends and family and due to this it attracts a varying field of runners from those completing the course in 16/17 minute runners to 55/60 minute runners.

The event was well organised with ample parking, registration was quick and easy and friends and family being allowed partial entry into the park to spectate at various points during the route. The day itself was fairly cool and perfect conditions for a PB. The course takes you through the park itself explained above and through ‘Lion Country’ twice, at the start and the end of the race. The lions must have thought that they were going to get a free meal as a few of them ran towards the fence as all of the runners came through.

The race was won by Elliot Stones (unattached) in a time of 16:30.  The women’s race was won by Lucy Elliot of Rotherham Harriers in a time of 20:27.  On the day there were 7 Striders ran as if they were being chased by lions and it was a PB’tastic day with myself and Pete Brash running PB’s and Arif Ali running a course best. Among the other Striders, Sam Ainscough donned furry ears and a tail for the run and managed to be first Strider across the line in a time of 20.24/ Tracy Biney was first female Strider across the line in a time of 22.22.