Eleventh Annual EcoThon at the Wilds April 26

By Toni Keller

Mark your calendars and join hundreds of runners and walkers for the 11th annual EcoThon at the Wilds, Saturday, April 26, 2008, presented by AEP/American Electric Power.

This 10K and 5K trail run and 5K trail walk is set to begin at 10 a.m. on the Wilds' highly-regarded cross-country course.

“I like that it is a scenic off-road course which is a nice change from the normal road race,” said Juston Wickham, animal management specialist at the Wilds, who is also a marathon runner, track coach, and the designer of the current EcoThon course. “It also has a more relaxed feel since there is no traffic to deal with during the run.”

The 10K and 5K trails are across rolling grasslands and go past lakes, woodlands, and wetland environments.

From serious runners to casual walkers, to families and workplace teams, EcoThon at the Wilds is for anyone wishing to enjoy the outdoors and help support the Wilds’ important conservation science and education programs.

Proceeds from this year’s EcoThon, with the theme of “It’s Doggone Wild!” will help support the important conservation work for African wild dogs, perhaps the most endangered carnivore in Africa due to habitat loss, persecution, and infectious disease. The Wilds is able to offer critical support for the African wild dog Species Survival Plan (SSP) through scientific study and breeding research at its new Mid-Sized Carnivore Conservation Center.

“The Carnivore Center was designed to provide large, multiple-acre enclosures that allow more naturalistic and healthy behavior for these highly social and communal animals,” said Dr. Evan Blumer, executive director of the Wilds.

The entry fee for EcoThon is $30. Wilds members receive a $5 discount.

Registrants receive a free custom-designed bamboo fiber T-shirt; registration packet gifts; chances to win door prizes; chance to earn custom commemorative stoneware awards, snacks and refreshments after the race; and a Safari Transport Pass to use on race day or later in the season (a $21 value).

Custom stoneware made by Hartstone Pottery in Muskingum County, Ohio, featuring the commemorative EcoThon 2008 logo, will be awarded to the following finishers:

5K and 10K Trail Runs: top three males and top three females overall; top three males and top three females in each of the following groups: 10 and under; 11-14; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70+; cruiser-weight division.

5K Trail Walk: first 25 males and first 25 females.

Event registrants may redeem their free Safari Transport pass on the event day following the race, or anytime during the 2008 season, for a guided tour to see and learn about the rare and endangered species at the Wilds. Additional Safari Transport tickets for guests of EcoThon participants will be available for purchase.

The Johnson Visitor Center, Overlook Café, and Gift Market will be open after the race.

To register, visit www.thewilds.org to register online or to print an application form; call 740-638-5030 x2286 or email reservations@thewilds.org to have a form mailed; or register between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the event day. (Shirts are not guaranteed to event-day registrants). Printed registrations must be postmarked by April 16.

Event-day registration takes place near the Wilds’ main parking lot on

To ensure an on-time race start, participants should arrive no later than 9 a.m. Pets are not allowed on any part of the Wilds’ property.

Sponsors for the 11^th Annual EcoThon at the Wilds include:

Presenting sponsor AEP/American Electric Power; Platinum sponsors ESPN 100.9, Ohio State Park Resorts, and WHIZ Media Group; Gold sponsors Peoples Bank and Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Zanesville; Silver sponsors Baldwin Construction Company, Co-Alliance, the Daily & Sunday Jeffersonian, Genesis Lifestyle & Fitness Center, Jo-Ad Foods, Linn Engineering, Stonewall, Times Recorder, and Wallace Fencing; and Bronze sponsors AVC Communications, Colgate-Palmolive, Great Harvest Bread Co., Southside Cycling, and Wal-Mart North Zanesville

The Wilds opens to the public for the 2008 season on May 3, and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in May, September, and October, and seven days a week in June, July and August.

The mission of the Wilds, an independent, nonprofit organization, is to advance conservation through science, education, and personal experience. For more information, visit www.thewilds.org.