Gateway to Yosemite 5K/10K Raises More Than $14K for New Tortoise Enclosure

Nearly 350 runners and walkers crossed the finish line at Fahrens Park during the fourth annual Gateway to Yosemite 5K/10K on Sep. 20. The event raised more than $14,000 in support of the new tortoise enclosure at the Merced Applegate Zoo.
 
Organized by the Merced County Office of Education and the City of Merced Parks and Community Services, the event saw a total of 348 participants, with 202 in the 5K,  93 in the 10K and 53 in the 1K kids run. 
 
“Thanks to the incredible support of participants and donors from the Gateway to Yosemite Run, an amazing $14,274 was raised to support Merced Applegate Zoo,” said City of Merced Parks and Community Services Director Christopher Jensen. “These funds will allow Parks and Community Services to bring a new tortoise exhibit to Merced Applegate Zoo this fall, creating an improved year-round home for Elroy and his friends.” 
 
Funds raised during this year’s event will help support the development of a new enclosure for the zoo’s resident tortoise Elroy and his tortoise companions. The event sponsors and collaborators include Opportunity Merced, Creative West Graphic Solutions, Grocery Outlet, Art Beat Collective and Marvulli Construction.
 
For more information about the new tortoise enclosure, contact the City of Merced Parks and Community Services Department at (209) 385-6855.
 
2026 Gateway to Yosemite 5K/10K Race Results: 
Top three finishers for the 5K Men Runners:
Anthony Cortes
Zak Ellison
Shawn Moreno 
 
Top three finishers for the 5K Women Runners:
Laura Baxter
L. Baxter
Brooke Geyer 
 
Top three finishers for the 10K Men Runners:
Cristian Ledezma 
Francisco Rodriguez
Brennan Hauser
 
Top three finishers for the 10K Women Runners:
Sam Perez
Sofia Rodriguez
Abigail Pitcher
 
For full race results, click here.