Lanni Marchant, Wendimu Adamu top 2017 Oasis Zoo Run

Photo: Inge Johnson/Canada Running Series

Kyle Grieve leads eventual winner Wendimu Adamu. Photo: Inge Johnson/Canada Running Series.

The runners were up before most of the animals this morning at the 15th annual Oasis Zoo Run in Toronto, part of the Canada Running Series.

RELATED: 2017 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon medal revealed

Good luck to everyone participating in the @OasisCanada #ZooRunTO 10k, 5k & Cub Run today! We'll see you at @TheTorontoZoo! pic.twitter.com/ar2H5qVBKB

— CanadaRunningSeries (@RunCRS) September 23, 2017

CONGRATS Wendimu Adamu, #Toronto Olympic Club 31:01 & @LJM5252 35:21. Champions at HILLY 15th annual @OasisCanada #ZooRunTO #runcrs #runTO pic.twitter.com/yr3ccxSayw

— alan brookes, CRS (@alnbrookes) September 23, 2017

Canadian half and marathon record holder Lanni Marchant was the first female to finish in a time of 35:21. Behind her were Loudmilia Kortchagunia of Markham–also the top master–in second place in 35:45 and in third was Toronto-native Laura Desjardins in 36:08. Marchant, who now calls Toronto home, finished fourth just one week ago at the Vancouver Eastside 10K, where she ran 34:33.

RELATED: Sarah Inglis upsets Olympians, London 2017 competitors to win Under Armour Eastside 10K

On the men’s side, Wendimu Adamu, representing the Toronto Olympic Club, was first to finish in 31:00. Nine seconds back was Kyle Grieve of Toronto in 31:09 with Hajin Tola, also of Toronto, in third in 31:43. Robert Vandenheuvel of Woodbridge was the top male master in a time of 35:40.

The event also features a 5K race–scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m– as well as a popular Cub Run for kids at 11:35 a.m.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZYIxXPlJjU/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZYfN6ZlOKF/

All in all, there were over 5,000 participants registered in the 10K and 5K races, both of which sold out. The courses take runners and walkers on a hilly route through and around the zoo with plenty of opportunities to see the zoo’s local inhabitants (the animals). Money raised from the event supports the Toronto Zoo.