Two different groups of Mardi Gras gorillas dance around during the 2012 Austin Gorilla Run costume contest held in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, January 21, 2012. The 5k gorilla suit run was a benefit held for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund.(Austin American-Statesman/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
RunTex and 
Thirsty Planet have been instrumental in supporting the Austin Gorilla Run and raising funds for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF).
Proceeds from the race directly benefit Ugandans, Rwandans, and citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo in veterinary educational training, with the end goal of protecting the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas in Africa. In 1987 there were only 248 mountain gorillas alive in the world, but through the veterinary and conservation efforts of the MGCF, the population has nearly tripled to 720.
Watch a video from last year's race:
