Gear up for the Zoopolis 500, the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Tortoise Racing’

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — On Wednesday, the Greatest Spectacle in Tortoise Racing returns to the Indianapolis Zoo with the Zoopolis 500. In this race, slow and steady gets the snack.

Organizers say the event features family-friendly festivities including photo opportunities, meet-and-greets with 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi and the 500 Festival Princesses, and more.

The 2025 Zoopolis is free for zoo members and is included with regular zoo admission. Organizers promise a delightful day of slow-and-steady competition.

Pre-race festivities for the Zoopolis 500 kick off at 10:30 a.m., followed by the opening of the “Snake Pit” at 11 a.m., where people can enjoy racing-themed activities. The race itself begins at 11:30 a.m., with tortoises competing for a sweet victory feast provided by Kroger.

During the event, zoo officials say people will have the opportunity to meet the tortoises up close, admire their star-patterned shells, and learn about conservation efforts aimed at protecting the threatened animals.

After the race, a “pit crew” member will celebrate the winning tortoise by drinking a glass of milk in the Winner’s Circle.

Then, this Memorial Day weekend, the Zoo will feature five giant Aldara tortoises in an exhibit space called “The Pit Stop” near the flamingo habitat. The zoo says the giant tortoises will move to their main home, located next to Deserts, this fall.

Learn more about the the Zoopolis 500 here.

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