A picture captured at the 2008 run. Halloween, 2008 saw record breaking attendance at the Denver event. (Courtesy of denvergorillarun.com)
Early Halloween morning, before the evening draws college students out to celebrate and children out to trick or treat, there is an eccentric sight to be seen on the streets of Denver.
This Saturday morning at 11:00 am outside of the Wynkoop Brewing Company located on 1634 18th St. in lower downtown, spectators should not be alarmed if they encounter a large mass of gorillas.
These gorillas will be sporting running shoes, assorted costumes and some may even be riding bicycles or skateboards.
Denver’s sixth annual Gorilla Run provides participants with an undeniably original response to the token question, “What are you doing for Halloween?’
To register for this 5.6K, or 3.5 mile, race through downtown Denver, first time participants pay an arguably lofty fee of $99.95. This fee benefits the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, an organization committed to the preservation of mountain gorillas in Africa. According to MGCF’s Web site, the organization’s efforts at conservation of both the gorilla’s habitat and the gorillas themselves have raised their population in the wild from 248 to over 700.
Laura Franz, a freshman 19-year-old dance major, thinks that, while pricey, registering for the race is worth the cost.
‘”The price is a bit much but the cause is totally worth it,” Franz said.
Sophomore Lindsey Schatz agrees.
“I think it sounds like a really good cause and a fun way to give back to wildlife,” said Schatz, a 19-year-old-international affairs major.
While part of the registration fee goes directly to MGCF, the rest goes to what makes this fundraising run unique and also to something a bit more tangible for participants: full gorilla costumes to run the race in.
According to the race’s Web site, the gorilla suits are “a bit snug, and ‘one size fits all,’ fitting up to 6 feet with a 50 inch chest.”
The costume includes a full gorilla body suit and a gorilla facemask. Participants in past year’s events have taken wearing the gorilla costumes further by accentuating them with vintage 80s work out gear, wigs, sports team apparel, amongst several other accessories.
The quirkiness of the gorilla run does not cease at masses of people dressed as gorillas running through the streets of lower downtown. This year, Denver’s Gorilla Run is registered with the Guinness Book of World Records to attempt to beat the world record for largest gathering of people dressed as gorillas. According to the Guinness Record’s, the current record is 637 gorilla-costume-clad people, set on September 25, 2005 at a MCGF Gorilla Run held in London.
A picture captured at the Denver Gorilla Run on Halloween, 2007. (Courtesy of denvergorillarun.com)
Though the event makes for quite a sight to be seen, Franz voices that despite the appeal of participating, the high price coupled with a suffering economy has the potential to result in low participation.
“The idea is sweet and I think that if we weren’t in a recession, a lot more people would go,” Franz said.
Schatz feels a bit more optimistically.
“Even though $99 is a bit steep, it will make a big difference in giving to nature and wildlife, especially since most people don’t donate to support wildlife anyway—this could be a way for them to contribute,” Schatz said.
Other students, while finding the idea of the Gorilla Run entertaining, opt out of participating due to a lack of interest in running in general.
“The run sounds hilarious but I probably wouldn’t do it just because I don’t run,” said Josh Phillips, a 19-year-old sophomore open-option major.
Those interested in helping conserve the gorillas and their habitats or who may just need a last minute Halloween costume can register for the Denver Gorilla at one of several places:
- Online at http://denvergorillarun.com/raceinfo.html.
- By telephone at (720) 524-0272.
- By fax at (720) 524-9516.
- By mailing payment information to MGCF (Gorilla Run Headquarters) at 3801 E. Florida Ave #206 Denver, CO 80210.
The registration cut-off is this Friday, Oct. 29 at 4:00 pm. Additional information can be found at http://denvergorillarun.com/home.html.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jamie Magyar at Jamie.magyar@colorado.edu.
