Multi-species Mascot Race to raise awareness for Mote’s Run for the Turtles
If you thought “The Tortoise and the Hare” was an odd match, wait ‘til you hear about the race coming up on Siesta Beach.
At 10 a.m. on March 1, a sea turtle, shark, otter, cow, cat and pirate (all costumed mascots, of course) will participate in a short Mascot Race on Siesta to raise awareness for Mote Marine Laboratory’s upcoming 30th Annual Run for the Turtles. The 5K/1-mile Run for the Turtles 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.
During the March 1 promo race, mascots from several Sarasota-Manatee organizations will run down 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:
- Shelley the Sea Turtle – Mote
- Gilly the Shark – Mote
- Ollie the Otter – Mote
- Petunia the Rescue Cat – Cat Depot
- Kid Cow – Chick-fil-A, Fruitville Road
- Marty the Marauder – Bradenton Marauders
About Mote’s 30th Annual Run for the Turtles
Mote’s Run for the Turtles will take place on April 2 and will start with on-site registration at 6:30 a.m. at the gazebo south of the pavilion on Siesta Public Beach. The 1-Mile Fun Run or Walk will start at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Manasota Track Club-Sanctioned Run will start at 8 a.m. People of all ages can register, and young people can make an especially big difference, starting now.
Funds raised by Mote supporters ages 23 and younger during and surrounding the Run will be matched up to $40,000 in 2016. This match is possible thanks to Positive Tracks, a national, youth-centric nonprofit, that has partnered with Mote for the second year to help young people get active and give back. Local funding partner Gulf Coast Community Foundation is providing a $25,000 grant, empowering Positive Tracks to enhance its efforts in southwest Florida and amplify its impact for Mote.
Funds from the Run and youth fundraiser will support Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. Individual youths and groups from schools, colleges, sports teams, clubs and community organizations can develop their own active and creative fundraising projects, starting now. To get involved, please contact Mote’s Positive Tracks Coordinator, Chris Pfahler at chris@chrispfahler.com.
To make a gift supporting Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, please contact Kate Knepper at: 941-388-4441, ext. 393 or kknepper@mote.org
- Learn more about Positive Tracks at: www.positivetracks.org
- Learn more about Gulf Coast Community Foundation at: www.gulfcoastcf.org