Celebrate Carson the Red Panda’s 12th birthday and International Red Panda Day 2026 by supporting the Red Panda Marathon—a powerful initiative that raises red panda conservation awareness among nearly one million people in Nepal while strengthening livelihoods and environmental stewardship among local communities.

Your donation today will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to support from the Sacramento Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden!

You can join the movement from anywhere by starting a fundraiser, making a donation, or getting active for red pandas. Run, walk, hike, bike, swim, practice yoga, meditate, or choose any activity that inspires you. Every action helps spread the message and supports a future where both people and red pandas can thrive.

Red panda "Carson." Credit: Carolyn Zelina

Receive this exclusive IRPD 2026 Run for Red Pandas t-shirt with a design by Natalie Hoy when you donate $100 or more (does not include matching gift total)!

Explore our IRPD 2026 Fundraising Guide for helpful tips and resources for fundraisers!

Fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain in the wild globally, with estimates as low as 2,500. Nepal is a critical location for conservation, home to more than 500 red pandas threatened by habitat loss, forest degradation, climate change, and poaching.

Limited public awareness remains a major barrier to red panda conservation, making education and community engagement essential to the survival of this endangered species.

Because most people in Nepal have never seen a red panda or visited its forest home, many lack a personal connection to the species—making it more difficult to inspire conservation action.

The Red Panda Marathon was created to bridge this gap and founded on a simple belief: when people experience a place, they are more likely to protect it.

Red Panda Network (RPN) works alongside local communities to protect red pandas and their habitat through education, empowerment, and community-led conservation. Founded by RPN in 2024 and held annually around International Red Panda Day, the Red Panda Marathon brings runners into the landscapes where conservation happens—connecting sport with stewardship and turning awareness into action.

Aligned with the IUCN Sports for Nature initiative, the marathon showcases the biodiversity of eastern Nepal, raises awareness for red pandas, supports local livelihoods, and honors the communities working every day to protect their forest home.

The marathon is inspired by the words of conservationist Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” By connecting people directly with the landscapes where red pandas live, the Red Panda Marathon transforms awareness into understanding, understanding into appreciation, and appreciation into conservation action.

On December 16, 2025, 83 runners participated in the Red Panda Marathon—one of the region’s most demanding high-altitude races. The 44.2 km (27.47-mile) route stretched from Ilam Bazar to the Sandakpur Summit, climbing 2,390 meters through rugged Himalayan terrain and ending at 3,610 meters above sea level. The race tested participants’ endurance and resilience while immersing them in the heart of red panda habitat.

While the 2024, 2025 and 2026 marathons have been generously supported by Play for Nature, continued support is needed to sustain and expand the event in 2027. The Red Panda Marathon is an important event that educates, engages, and empowers people in Nepal to conserve red pandas and to live more sustainably and harmoniously with Himalayan wildlife. In 2027, the Marathon's conservation message is expected to reach nearly one million people and support sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Design by Natalie Hoy.

Long-Term Impact of the Red Panda Marathon

Educate

Raise awareness by connecting sports with biodiversity conservation and inspiring environmental stewardship.
Amplify conservation messaging through national and international media coverage, reaching nearly one million people.

Engage

Directly involve more than 500 local individuals in red panda conservation activities connected to the marathon.

Empower

Inspire local conservation champions and support over 300 hours of running dedicated to red panda conservation.
Improve local livelihoods through homestays and tourism opportunities for runners, organizers, and visitors.

The campaign will launch on July 1—red panda Carson’s birthday—and conclude on International Red Panda Day, September 19, 2026.

Happy 12th birthday, Carson! Credit: Carolyn Zelina

Here's how you can help:

Start A Fundraiser - click on the 'Fundraise' button at the top of the page to start a campaign in minutes. Check out our IRPD2026 Fundraising Guide for everything you need to fundraise for the first panda. The top fundraisers will win awesome prizes!

Get Active for Red Pandas - You can run, walk, bike, hike, do push-ups, or even participate in wellness activities like yoga or meditation—and invite your friends and family to support your efforts—all while helping protect the endangered red panda. Track your progress (downloadable tracking sheet or online), share photos of your journey, and tag us for a chance to win additional prizes! *Getting active is not required to participate in this event.

Organize an Event - Work with the zoo, school, or business you work at or attend to celebrate this important day for education and conservation. Register your event here and be sure to check out the IRPD Activity Book designed by Darby Minter!

Become a Red Panda Ranger - This is a fun and educational opportunity for kids to help us raise red panda awareness They will receive a badge for every level they complete and an official certificate when they finish all five levels!

Spread the Word - tell your friends and family on social media why you love red pandas and why you are celebrating IRPD 2026! Include a banner in your post and include these hashtags: #IRPD2026 #RunForRedPandas #RedPandaMarathon

Inspiration for Getting Active: Meditate or practice yoga to Habre's Bamboo Dreams to increase your impact on red panda conservation!

Meet Habre, the sonic ambassador of RPN and creative voice for conservation storytelling. Habre (meaning “red panda” in Nepali) debuted on IRPD 2025 with the release of Curled in the Canopy, followed by Bamboo Dreams, an eight-track wellness and meditation-inspired EP featuring Grammy-nominated producer Joey Pecoraro. Inspired by the serenity of the Himalayas, every stream supports our mission to protect red pandas and their habitat.

Learn more about Habre in this press release!

Inspiration for Getting Active: Run the Red Panda Marathon (remotely)

The 2025 Red Panda Marathon covered 44.2 km (27.47 miles), and we invite you to match that distance in support of red panda conservation! You can run or walk the full distance over the course of the campaign (July 1–September 19) or challenge yourself to complete it all at once by running your own marathon.

If you plan to take on the full marathon challenge, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at irpd@redpandanetwork.org so we can celebrate your commitment to fitness and conservation and share your inspiring story with our community.

Campaign Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top three individual fundraisers* and the top team for the IRPD 2026 campaign.

First Prize: Habre Bamboo Dreams poster (exclusive release!) + Red Panda Rug (photo below!) + Panda Plush + Tote Bag

Second Prize: Panda Plush + RPN Hat + Tote Bag

3rd Prize: Panda Plush or RPN Hat + Tote Bag

*A minimum of $500 must be raised to be eligible for prizes.

Matching Partners

Run for Red Pandas 2026

Join the Race to Save Red Pandas and Empower People to Protect Them

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