Big Jungle Fun Run

The Big Jungle Run is a family-friendly event at Burnaby Lake in Burnaby. It’s a fun running event with costumes, prizes and beautiful scenery to enjoy.

The run takes place on Saturday, May 25th in 2024.

This event is part of the Big Fun Run Series which includes the Big 80’s Run and Big Easter Run in spring, Big Pirate Run in autumn and Big Elf Run a few weeks before Christmas. All of the runs in the series are fun and non-competitive. The focus is on fun, not finish times (and everyone gets a medal for participation).

For full details about the event, and to register, visit the Big Jungle Run website.

(TIP: If you use the promo code VBP10 you’ll save yourself 10% on your run entrance fee!)

This article contains the following information about the Big Jungle Run:

Location and Registration | What to Expect | Big Fun Run Series | Other Information

The Big Jungle Run at Burnaby Lake

The third edition of the Big Jungle Run event happens on Saturday, May 25th, 2024. In the past it used to take place in March. Now, in March, instead, there is the Big 80’s Run which takes place at Central Park. It too is a fun event and part of the same series.

The Big Jungle Run includes three different distances to choose from. There is a 1km Kids’ Run as well as both 5km and 10km distances for everyone.

This event is meant to be a fun one for people of all ages. The routes themselves are flat and go through pleasant, wooded areas. Everyone who participates receives a medal. There are also prizes for various categories (most of which don’t have to do with speed!).

A couple of years ago the most impressive costume, in our opinion, was a person dressed up as a T-Rex dinosaur. It was a hot day though, so part way through the participant had to take some of the costume off. He looked pretty cool though, waddling along with his family on the trail!

To register and for full details about the event, visit the Big Jungle Run website.

Run Starting Line by the Rugby Club — Start Line by the Rugby Club Building

Location and Registration

The Big Jungle Run happens in Burnaby Lake Park. The runs begin and end at the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club at 3760 Sperling Avenue. The gathering point is at the edge of the big field on the other side of the Rugby Club’s building from Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

The routes are all set up so that participants run a certain distance away from the starting line, and then when they reach the halfway point they turn around and run back on the path they came.

Early bird pricing for the event in 2024 starts at $19 for the Kids’ Run, $35 for the 5km run and $36 for the 10km run.

The longer runs cost a maximum of $26 for youth under age 18. Groups of four or more people get a 15% discount.

Each participant receives a race kit that can be picked up the day before the event at Burnaby Kintec at 3787 Canada Way. Those who register more than two weeks in advance can also choose to have their kit mailed to them ahead of time for an extra $8.

For those who choose neither of the above options, the kits have to be picked up on the day of the run itself. It’s recommended that runners arrive at least an hour ahead of their run times to do so.

Warming Up for the Fun Run

What to Expect at the Big Jungle Run

The first run of the day in 2024 is the Kids’ Run which starts at 1:00 pm (with check-ins open at noon). This lasts for around 40 minutes while both of the longer runs start at 2:00 pm. The entire event ends at 4:00 pm so participants have two hours to complete the longer distances (which should be enough time even if you choose to walk the whole way).

The same as with all Big Fun Run Series events, before each event there is a group warm-up where everyone stretches and gets limbered up for the run. There is also usually a DJ playing music which helps pump people up and adds to the atmosphere.

The runs are meant to be a fun activity for folks of all ages. The race kit includes a personalized running bib emblazoned with a custom name of your choosing. Examples of names are things like “Running Gorilla,” “Wild Frog” or “Crazy Kangaroo.”

All participants receive a finisher’s medal at the end. There are also prizes for categories like Best Costume, Best Photo and Best Custom Name.

Dogs can join in as long as they are on a leash. Strollers are also permitted. The routes are pretty flat with both gravel and woodchip trails at points, making them accessible for mostly everyone. The majority of people run. A few participants though, walk most of the way.

To register, and for full details about the event, visit the Big Jungle Run website.

Big Fun Run Series

The Big Jungle Run is one of a collection of similar running events. They are the Big Fun Run Series, and the Jungle Run is the first of a few runs planned for the year. There’s also the Big Easter Run on the Saturday of the Easter Long Weekend at Jericho Beach. In Richmond, there’s the Big Superhero Run in August and the Big Pirate Run in September. Finishing off the year there is also the Big Elf Run in December in Stanley Park.

These events are meant to be fun and family-friendly for everyone in Metro Vancouver. There are variations between them in terms of theme, but they all have the same three distances to choose from. Each event has a 1km Kids’ Run, a 5km run and a 10km run. With the Big Elf Run though there is usually a 15km option too.