Rich on Running: NYC ‘Run for the Wild’ 5K helps endangered lions

NEW YORK – Usually, when you run a 5K, the spectators don’t include zebras, hyenas and giraffes.But that was the case on Saturday morning, when 5,270 people (including yours truly) ran 3.1 miles through the Bronx Zoo to raise funds for endangered lions in the Wildlife Conservation Society’s “Run for the Wild.”The lion population has shrunk by 30 to 40 percent in the last 20 years, according to a WCS email. Even though I didn’t see any lions on the running route, they were clearly the kings of race day.Runners could get their faces painted to look like a lion ? a pre-race yoga instructor showed us how to do the “Lion’s Breath” pose in warmups ? and we stampeded across the starting line to the tune of the Tokens’ classic song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”The rest of the animal kingdom made its presence felt, too. At one point, I looked to my right and saw some zebras grazing. Soon afterward, I looked right again and got a glance of the hyenas. Then I saw a few giraffes – including, I believe, the new baby giraffe. After the race, I returned to the exhibit with my girlfriend Laura and learned that giraffes can run as fast as 35 miles per hour.The course – all on concrete footpaths – might have favored a mountain goat more than a giraffe. It was possibly the hilliest of the six races I’ve run, with the possible exception of a Lynn Woods summer cross country race last year. In fact, I told myself that one incline was “just like Lynn Woods” to motivate myself to go up it.The night before, I loaded up on carbs at the WCS’ “Pasta for the Planet,” an all-you-can-eat benefit at Mario’s Restaurant in the Arthur Avenue “Little Italy” section of the Bronx. Laura and I enjoyed penne alla vodka and other specialties from various neighborhood restaurants.The WCS offered prizes to runners who reached certain fundraising levels, from the minimum $30 (race T-shirt) upward. If you raised $275, you got a Jackrabbit Sports gift card and something I think no self-respecting Red Sox fan would wear ? a Yankees cap.The activities didn’t stop once we crossed the finish line. Our bib numbers got us into the zoo for free, we could take in plenty of nutrients (energy bars, fruit, yogurt drinks), and those of us whose legs weren’t about to collapse could even participate in a Zumba class (I declined).Perhaps the best image of the day came when Laura and I walked through the zoo and looked at two “individuals” whose relatives the race might just benefit. These were the lion and lioness who watched gracefully as their human visitors stared, took pictures, or maybe just meditated on the big and beautiful cats.Walk, or run, for HAWCIf you’re looking to run or walk for a good cause closer to home, don’t forget the 20th annual Walk for HAWC on Sunday in Salem. This year, the fundraising event will also feature a run, along the same 5-mile course, which will begin and end at the Salem Common at noon (runners go first). The post-race party is at 1 p.m., featuring lunch from Kelly’s Roast Beef. Proceeds benefit Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC). St. John’s Prep coach Ray Carey is the honorary chair. You can sign up for the run on active.com until Saturday at 4 p.m., or for the walk at http://hawcdv.donorpages.com/WalkforHAWC/From jungle to WoodsThe aforementioned Lynn Woods summer cross country races will kick off again this year for their 44th edition. The Wednesday-night races commence on May 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the first of an 18-week series. The options for each Wednesday are a long race, short race and kids race (1.59 miles). The races are free, and you can see the results online. Call Bill Mullen for more information (978-535-3905) or visit www.lwrun.org.Tragedy one day after raceWhile Saturday was a joyful day overall, the day after the “Run for the Wild” was touched with tragedy at the zoo. An SUV carrying seven members of a family hit a median on the Bronx River Parkway, flew off the highway and crashed 60 feet into the zoo. All seven people in the SUV, i