Yes, we will have same-day registration available. The price of same-day registration will be $50.

Please note: if you register after September 1st, we cannot guarantee your preferred t-shirt size. 

We encourage early registration to ensure a spot and avoid higher fees. 

Children ages 12 and under require registration for the Critter Crawl Kids Dash.

If you are running the 5K or 1-mile, your child is welcome on the race course with you, but they must be registered for the Critter Crawl to participate and receive a medal. Same-day registration will be available. 

Yes, each registration includes a cotton race t-shirt. 

Please note: if you register after September 1st, we cannot guarantee your preferred t-shirt size. 

Being a virtual participant is entirely free! If you registered as a virtual participant with a t-shirt, we will ship you your race packet after September 26.  However, you can still earn fundraising incentives! We encourage you to share your link to your fundraising page on social media, take photos of your run/walk on the day of the race, and share with us using #MiraclesinMotion.

Yes, you are welcome to run on the course with your child and stroller.  If you're running with a stroller, please line up in the LAST RACE WAVE.  Be aware that the race course has varied surfaces and we recommend a jogging stroller that can easily push over a variety of terrain.  Pets are not allowed unless they are a certified service animal.  Headphones are permitted on the race route but please be vigilant of your surroundings as there will be many children and strollers.  

While your child is welcome on the race course with you, they must be registered for the Critter Crawl to participate and receive a medal. Day-of registration will be available. 

Please note: While strollers and wheelchairs are permitted on the course, other vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards or rollerblades are not permitted due to zoo policy.

The 5K run starts promptly at 8:30 a.m., if you are running with a stroller, you will be kindly asked to start further back to avoid congestion at the start.

We will start the 1-mile walk approximately 5 minutes after the start of the 5K.

Early packet pickup is encouraged to prevent waiting in lines the morning of the event. Please ensure that you provide enough time to park and walk from the parking lot to the race start line.  

Per zoo policy, all participants must be off the course by 9:45 a.m. for zoo opening.

The Critter Crawl will begin at 9:45 a.m. (start time subject to change by a 15-minute window - the event will take place after the majority of participants have cleared the main course).  You will be able to see your child participate in the event from a designated observation area. 

Please note: Kids have to be registered for the Critter Crawl to participate in the Critter Crawl. To register for your child for the Critter Crawl, visit here. If your child is only registered for the 5K or 1-Mile, they must also register for the Critter Crawl to participate in that event and receive a medal.

No, outside food and drink are not permitted.  We will have food and drink provided on-site for all ages, such as granola bars, bananas, apples, water and bagels.  

No, we will not have a bag check on-site. 

Your pre-purchased zoo admission is only valid on September 26, 2026.

Yes, there is free parking onsite at the Maryland Zoo.

Please visit: https://www.marylandzoo.org/visit/accessibility/ for more information.

Yes, we will have on-site registration available.

The price of same-day registration will be $50. Please note: if you register after September 1st, we cannot guarantee your preferred t-shirt size.  We encourage early registration to ensure a spot and avoid higher fees. 

The event will take place rain or shine. 

Results will be available online following the race, and will be emailed out to participants after the event by the timing company.

Johns Hopkins Children's Center is not responsible for lost items on race day.  However, we will hold onto items that are left.  If you have lost something, please contact us at hopkinschildrens@jhmi.edu.

It is not a requirement to fundraise for the event, but each participant is automatically registered as a fundraiser, with the exception of children under the age of 18.

Creating a team is the last step in the registration process. We have a participant guide, under race info, that can walk you through the process.

Yes, anyone can join your team.  Send them your team's fundraising link to get them to register, or they can search for your team as the last step when registering themselves for the race. 

If you have registered and would like to be moved onto a different team, email hopkinschildrens@jhmi.edu and we will make the switch.

Yes, our 2026 fundraising incentives will be announced soon!

There are three options to pick up your race materials ahead of race day. The schedule for packet pickup is below, and we encourage early pickup so you can avoid long lines the morning of the race.

Alternatively, you can arrive early on September 26 and pick up your packet on race day at the Maryland Zoo.  

If you have any questions, please email Jtayl200@jhmi.edu
 

Packet Pick Up Day 1 - DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED
Johns Hopkins Children's Center
1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
Level M (Main Loop) near elevators

7 AM - 9:30 AM
BREAK
12 PM - 6:30 PM

*We recommend this option for participants who will be at JHCC (employees, patient- families, etc).

Packet Pick Up Day 2 - DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Merritt Clubs Towson 12 PM - 7 PM
8757 Mylander Lane, Towson, MD 21075

Packet Pick Up Day 3  - DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Road Runner Sports, Columbia MD, 12 PM - 7 PM
6630-C Marie Curie Dr, Elkridge, MD 21075

 
Packet Pick Up: Race Day
September 26: Maryland Zoo, 7 AM - 8:15 AM

Day of registration costs will be increased to $50 for 5K/1Mile and $25 for Critter Crawl
Please note: Race shirt for the day of registration is based on availability.

If you registered as a virtual participant with a t-shirt, we will ship you your race packet after September 26. 

Yes, but we encourage you to take advantage of our early packet pickup and team packet pickup options to avoid long lines the morning of the race. 

If you are unable to make it to one of the early packet pickup locations, you will be able to pick up your race shirt and bib at race check-in on September 26. Please note: if you register after September 1st, we cannot guarantee your preferred t-shirt size. 

Yes, the race course is accessible for participants using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. If you need special accommodations, please contact hopkinschildrens@jhmi.edu so that we can ensure these are appropriately accounted for in advance of the event. 

Yes, participants with disabilities are welcome to bring a guide or assistant. Please inform us in advance at hopkinschildrens@jhmi.edu if you plan to bring a guide or require special accommodations.