Fur was flying on Saturday morning for start of the 2013 Austin Gorilla Run. This is the third year for this popular race, which benefits the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund and specifically the Ruth Keesling Wildlife Health and Research Center in Kampala, Uganda.

The Gorilla Run is arguably the most unusual run in Austin. This year I positioned myself near the starting line to take some photos. First to leave were gorillas on wheels (bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, unicycles, and strollers), followed by runners, and then walkers. As the gorillas came past, the guy in back of me kept yelling, “Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” I thought this was rather odd, and somewhat annoying. While writing this entry, I finally figured out that he was quoting a famous line from a well-known film about primates. My movie-lover husband is appalled that I didn’t recognize this quote.

The Gorilla Run’s entry fee is rather expensive for a 5K race, but this includes the cost of the gorilla costume. Most participants then wear costumes on top of their costume. The creativity is impressive. . .