Mote’s 29th Run Makes Great Strides for Endangered Sea Turtles
More than 1,100 runners and walkers hit the beach to help endangered and threatened sea turtles during Mote Marine Laboratory’s 29th Run for the Turtles today, April 4, on Siesta Public Beach. Scroll down for results.
The Run drew a record 977 participants for its 5K race sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club, along with a strong turnout for its 1-mile fun-run/walk. (The tally of 1-mile participants is being finalized. The overall total, more than 1,100, is estimated.)
“It was a great turnout, a beautiful day and a very successful Run,” said Kristen Mazzarella, senior biologist with Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.
The Run, a joint effort between Mote, the Manasota Track Club and Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, has provided major support for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. Mote's scientists will soon begin their 34th year coordinating sea turtle conservation along 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches. Mote scientists and volunteers in Mote’s Sea Turtle Patrol monitor sea turtle nesting each day during nesting season, May through October.
At the event, participants and scores of friends and supporters brightened up Siesta Public Beach before sunrise, starting with a warm-up workout with Mote mascot Shelley the Sea Turtle followed by the 1-mile fun run/walk and the 5K run.
Runners younger than age 9 and up to age 90 hit the beach, competing for overall fastest times for males and females in each race, and for the fastest times within each age group for the 5K.
The event culminated with an awards ceremony, where Mote Trustee Scott Collins greeted guests:
“This Run supports Mote’s research with nesting sea turtles — they’ve been doing this research for 33 years." Collins noted that Mote scientists monitor and help protect an important stretch of local beaches that host many loggerhead sea turtles and smaller numbers of other species. All sea turtles are threatened or endangered.
“The turtles live here, so let’s be sure we’re saving them,” Collins said. “They are our gift.”
Collins said this year’s Run was truly special thanks to a new fundraising partnership. The national youth-centric nonprofit Positive Tracks and local fundraising partner Gulf Coast Community Foundation are matching funds raised by youths under age 23 who participated in the Run or carried out their own fundraising projects leading up to it.
Nini Meyer, President and Founder of Positive Tracks, invited young participants to the stage during the awards ceremony. “These kids here have used their own sweat, their own minds, bodies and hearts to raise funds and awareness for Mote.”
For example, Venice Elementary students in the Girls Inc. program Girls on the Run held a craft sale that raised $250, which will be matched for a $500 gift to Mote, and they participated in the Run. Other local youths raised funds on their own or in teams — bouncing on pogo sticks for pennies, talking to others about the importance of sea turtles and using other fun approaches. Youth donations are currently being tallied.
“We want to see even more kids here next year,” said Mark Pritchett, Senior Vice President for Community Investment at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Mote is a great asset to our community. We have a beautiful Gulf of Mexico and we want to protect it. Mote does a great job of that.”
Race results
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5K winners:
Overall male winner: Ben Olson, age 15, 16:36
Overall female winner: Heather Butcher, age 42, 18:58
Finalized results from each age category in the 5K are expected to be posted at www.accuchiptiming.com and www.manasotatrackclub.org.
1-Mile Fun Run/Walk winners:
Male winner: Nathan Printz, age 22, 7:06
Female winner: Hannah Daniel, age 14, 7:53
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Sea turtle nesting season tips
As we approach the first day of nesting season, May 1, please keep the following tips in mind to protect sea turtles:
Do:
* If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance.
* Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through
October.
* Close drapes after dark and stack beach furniture at the dune line or, ideally,
remove it from the beach.
* Fill in holes that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water.
* Place trash in its proper place.
Do not:
* Approach nesting turtles or hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at turtles.
* Use flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach.
* Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged
and are heading for the water.
* Use fireworks on the beach.
Sea turtles are protected under federal law and any harassment or interference with a sea turtle, living or dead, is subject to penalty. If you witness anyone disturbing a turtle or find an injured or disoriented hatchling or adult, please
notify agents with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), the local sheriff’s department, and/or Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Program at 388-4331. If you find a dead or injured sea
turtle contact Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program at 888-345-2335.
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Run for the Turtles sponsors
Leatherback Sponsors Unfi, Mosaic; Kemp’s Sponsors Fleet Feet Sports Sarasota, New Balance Sarasota and University Park and Crunch (gyms); Hawksbill Sponsors Deep Sea Diner, KoalaTee and Starbucks; Green Sponsors Dean Cutshall, Insurance & Benefits Consultants, Linda and Kumar Mahadevan, Joan L. Osgood LMT, Sarasota County, U.S. Tent Rental, Inc., Westbridge Veterinary Clinic and Z Entertainment; and Loggerhead Sponsors Albritton’s, SaraJane and William Bush, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill; Einstein Bros. Bagels, Subway, Florida State Massage Therapy Association, Publix, Old Salty Dog, Becky and Gordon Rose, Law Office of Steve Santiago, Tropicana Products, Inc., Uniquity of St. Armands, Gerry and Mary Ann Beard and Vanessa Fine Jewelry.
