San Diego Zoo Safari Park Invites Children to "Race" a Cheetah During October Kids Free Events

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park wants kids to lace up their running shoes when they visit during "Kids Free" in October. Each day at 3:30 p.m., weather permitting, one child at Shiley's Cheetah Run will be given the chance to see how their running speed compares to the fastest land mammal. The young volunteer will run before the cheetah takes to the track and will be timed by the animal trainers. Participants will wear a special racing bib they can keep as a memento of their experience.

     Kids Free celebrates the founding of the San Diego Zoo in October 1916 and offers children 11 years old and younger free admission to the Zoo and the Park every day of October.

     Cheetah Run gives Park guests the opportunity to witness the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best - run! The cheetah runs off-leash, chasing a mechanical lure down a 330-foot track, showcasing its ability to go from 0 to 70 mph in just 4 seconds. Guests can line up along the track to be just feet away from this amazing exhibition of speed.

     Allowing kids to "race" at Cheetah Run is just one of many special experiences planned for "Kids Free" at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. The San Diego Zoo was founded in October 1916 and "Kids Free" honors this historic event. The Zoo has celebrated "Kids Free" in October for 26 years; this is the fourth year the program is offered at the Park.

     Both the Zoo and the Park offer the opportunity to observe amazing creatures, experience a fun day with family and learn what needs to be done to save animals from extinction. Both locations are offering visitors the chance to complete the "101 Things to Do" at the Zoo and the Park; the booklet is available for download at www.sandiegozoo.org/kidsfree or can be picked up during a Zoo or Park visit on the weekends.

     Weekend visitors to the Zoo and the Park will experience even more kid-friendly activities with additional animal meet-and-greets, keeper talks and costumed character walk-arounds. At the Zoo in Balboa Park, Dr. Zoolittle will host Natures' Tricks, a show about how animals survive and adapt to their surroundings in the wild. At the Safari Park in Escondido, guests can take a seat at Discovery Station for "Tiger Tales" storytelling - ideal for ages two to five.

     Kids Free is offered during the entire month of October. The Zoo and the Park are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but for opening weekend only, the Zoo will be open until 6 p.m. on October 1 and 2. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a paid adult during their visit to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.