KUSA - Go Bananas! Over 1,200 gorilla participants are expected to take part in one of Denver's quirky events, the 8th Annual Denver Gorilla Run, on Saturday, October 29, 2011.
PHOTOS: GORILLA RUN 2010
The Denver Gorilla Run is a Guinness World Records holder of 1,061 "people dressed as gorillas" and has gained popularity throughout Denver and the country. The event is not only fun, but raises awareness and generates funds for the international charity Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF).
The Denver Gorilla Run will be held at the Wynkoop Brewing Company at 18th and Wynkoop St. The run is a 5K loop run with gorilla participants running, walking or riding through downtown Denver. In addition to the race itself, participants receive a full gorilla costume (to keep), lunch, a free Silverback Pale Ale beer, live music, awards, great prizes and a drawing for a trip for two to trek gorillas in Africa.
Proceeds from the event benefit MGCF, a non-profit organization that helps keep the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas from extinction through Wildlife Veterinary Education programs in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. MGCF supports the Ruth Morris Keesling Center of Wildlife Health and Medicine.
The Silverback Block Party will congregate on Wynkoop Street along with 10 restaurant vendors, beer tents, sponsor tents, and 2 live bands. This post race event also includes an awards ceremony and a free drawing for a trip for two to Africa to visit the gorillas. Tickets can be purchased on the event's web site.
"It is visually striking to see more humans dressed as gorillas than there are mountain gorillas alive in the world" says Frank Keesling, VP of MGCF and Director of the Denver Gorilla Run. "We can at least proudly say that the mountain gorilla is the only primate on the face of the planet that is posting positive growth numbers within a very fragile environment. We could not put on this fundraising event if it weren't for the integration of local and national sponsors and businesses. Their efforts towards MGCF's conservation projects have helped protect the species and save it from extinction" states Keesling.
For more information about the event, please go to www.denvergorillarun.com or contact MGCF at 720-524-0272.
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