Motley crew of mascots to race ahead of Mote’s Run for the Turtles
On March 7, a cat, cow, bull, shark, otter, sea turtle, seabird and shoe — all costumed mascots — will race on Siesta Key to raise awareness for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Run for the Turtles.
Mote’s 31st Annual Run for the Turtles, a 5K/1-mile race scheduled for April 1 on Siesta Key, is Mote’s longest-standing fundraiser; it raises support for Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, which coordinates conservation of endangered sea turtles along 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches.
The mascots’ promotional race starts at 10 a.m. March 7 on a short stretch of beach marked off by Mote just west of the Siesta Beach concession areas. Beachgoers can look for a small tent and Mote banner marking the race area, and once the mascots arrive, the fun will be impossible to miss.
Participating mascots:
- Cat Depot: Petunia the Rescue Cat
- Chick-Fil-A, Fruitville Road: Chick-Fil-A Cow
- New Balance: New Balance Newbie
- University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee: Rocky D. Bull
- 2017 World Rowing Championships: Scully
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Gilly the Shark
- Mote: Ollie the Otter
- Mote: Shelley the Sea Turtle
See last year's mascot race video.
About Mote’s 31st Annual Run for the Turtles
This year’s Run for the Turtles will take place on beautiful Siesta Key Beach on April 1, 2017 – no April Fools here! The 1-Mile Fun Run or Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Manasota Track Club-Sanctioned Run begins at 8 a.m. People of all ages can register now.
- For more information on the Run, contact Sam Byrd, Race Director at: 941-388-4441 ext. 426 or sbyrd@mote.org.
- For information on event sponsorship please contact Kate Knepper at: 941-388-4441, ext. 393 or kknepper@mote.org.
- Not running but interested in supporting sea turtles? Donate by texting "Mote" to 243725 (BIDPAL) to contribute.
To amplify the Run’s support for marine science and conservation, Mote has joined forces with Positive Tracks, which helps young people get active and give back through the organization’s U23 Challenges Program. As the Run approaches, Positive Tracks will help youths organize their fundraising efforts with tools and consultation, and they will double every dollar raised by Run team members up to $23. Team Captains' dollars will be doubled up to $230. In this way, Positive Tracks is doubling the impact of youth fundraising associated with Run for the Turtles.
To sign up and for more information, contact Liz Gray: lgray@positivetracks.org.
Mote thanks its Run partners New Balance and Fleet Feet Sports for hosting Run packet pick-ups. Check in with them for the latest running gear and fitness news to prepare to hit the beach on April 1.