40th Annual Run for the Turtles
- Date Sat 11th April 2026 - Sun 12th April 2026
- Time 7:30AM EDT
- Location Siesta Key, Florida
- Price $43.90
- Races 3 races
- Distances 1 Mile, 5km
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Event summary
Join us for the 40th Annual Run for the Turtles, a vibrant and family-friendly event taking place on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, at the beautiful Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida! This beloved run is not only a celebration of fitness and community but also a crucial fundraiser for the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory. Participants can choose between two exciting race distances: the 1 Mile Fun Run at 7:30 AM and the 5K Run, sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club, kicking off at 8:00 AM.
Race day festivities begin bright and early with packet pick-up starting at 6:30 AM, followed by a lively warm-up session at 7:00 AM. Both races promise fun for all, with awards for top finishers in various categories and finisher ribbons for all 1 Mile participants. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a complimentary race t-shirt, access to food stations, kids' activities, and much more! For those unable to attend in person, a virtual race option is available, allowing everyone to support sea turtle conservation from afar. Bring your reusable water bottle, embrace the eco-friendly spirit, and let’s make
Race day festivities begin bright and early with packet pick-up starting at 6:30 AM, followed by a lively warm-up session at 7:00 AM. Both races promise fun for all, with awards for top finishers in various categories and finisher ribbons for all 1 Mile participants. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a complimentary race t-shirt, access to food stations, kids' activities, and much more! For those unable to attend in person, a virtual race option is available, allowing everyone to support sea turtle conservation from afar. Bring your reusable water bottle, embrace the eco-friendly spirit, and let’s make
Organiser's Description
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SEA TURTLES!
Mote Marine Laboratory's 40th Annual Run for the Turtles will be held on Saturday, April 11th, 2025, and we can't wait to see you on Siesta Key Beach!
Location: 948 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL 34242 [https://www.google.com/maps/place/941+Beach+Rd,+Siesta+Key,+FL+34242/@27.267243,-82.5527656,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88c341f07667ad05:0x1727ac391b56303!8m2!3d27.267243!4d-82.5505769]
The schedule of events is as follows:
* 6:30AM - PACKET PICK UP & RACE DAY REGISTRATION OPENS
* 7:00AM - WARM UP!
* 7:30AM - 1 MILE FUN RUN
* 8:00AM - 5K RUN SANCTIONED BY MANASOTA TRACK CLUB
* Award ceremony to follow 5K
If you can't be here....don't fret. You can support our program by registering for and participating in our VIRTUAL RACE again this year.
This Run is the major fundraiser for the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program [https://mote.org/research/program/sea-turtle-conservation-research] at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
RACE PRICING (PRICES ARE THE SAME FOR THE 1 MILE & 5K):
Adults (14 & Up):
* $35 Early Bird Pricing through January 30, 2026
* $40 Regular Pricing January 31 - April 11, 2026
Kids (13 & Under):
* $25 Early Bird Pricing through January 30, 2026
* $30 Regular Pricing January 31 - April 11, 2026
Race registration (for both the 1 Mile Fun Run & 5K) includes a complimentary race t-shirt, access to the food station, kids activities area & more! This event is family friendly and spectators are welcome. All participants in the 1 Mile Fun Run will receive a finisher ribbon and prizes will be awarded for the overall male and female top finishers. The 5K race will be chip timed and sanctioned by Manasota Track Club. Awards will be given to the top 6 finishers by age group in addition to Overall Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Grand Master etc. This run takes place on the beach so please plan accordingly! To help support our Eco-friendly mission at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, please bring your own reusable water bottle to the race! We will have multiple water stations for you to fill up at.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP: _packets will also be available to be picked up on race morning_
* TBD
RACE T-SHIRTS: We suggest completing your online registration as early as possible for the best chance of securing the t-shirt size you prefer. There will be a set inventory of each size. If your size is no longer available, please select the next best size. The T-Shirts for virtual participants can be expected to be delivered to the address you registered with around after the in-person event. Thank you for understanding!
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the 40th Annual Run for the Turtles? Contact Danielle Dwyer, at [email protected] .
Mote Marine Laboratory's 40th Annual Run for the Turtles will be held on Saturday, April 11th, 2025, and we can't wait to see you on Siesta Key Beach!
Location: 948 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL 34242 [https://www.google.com/maps/place/941+Beach+Rd,+Siesta+Key,+FL+34242/@27.267243,-82.5527656,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88c341f07667ad05:0x1727ac391b56303!8m2!3d27.267243!4d-82.5505769]
The schedule of events is as follows:
* 6:30AM - PACKET PICK UP & RACE DAY REGISTRATION OPENS
* 7:00AM - WARM UP!
* 7:30AM - 1 MILE FUN RUN
* 8:00AM - 5K RUN SANCTIONED BY MANASOTA TRACK CLUB
* Award ceremony to follow 5K
If you can't be here....don't fret. You can support our program by registering for and participating in our VIRTUAL RACE again this year.
This Run is the major fundraiser for the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program [https://mote.org/research/program/sea-turtle-conservation-research] at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
RACE PRICING (PRICES ARE THE SAME FOR THE 1 MILE & 5K):
Adults (14 & Up):
* $35 Early Bird Pricing through January 30, 2026
* $40 Regular Pricing January 31 - April 11, 2026
Kids (13 & Under):
* $25 Early Bird Pricing through January 30, 2026
* $30 Regular Pricing January 31 - April 11, 2026
Race registration (for both the 1 Mile Fun Run & 5K) includes a complimentary race t-shirt, access to the food station, kids activities area & more! This event is family friendly and spectators are welcome. All participants in the 1 Mile Fun Run will receive a finisher ribbon and prizes will be awarded for the overall male and female top finishers. The 5K race will be chip timed and sanctioned by Manasota Track Club. Awards will be given to the top 6 finishers by age group in addition to Overall Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Grand Master etc. This run takes place on the beach so please plan accordingly! To help support our Eco-friendly mission at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, please bring your own reusable water bottle to the race! We will have multiple water stations for you to fill up at.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP: _packets will also be available to be picked up on race morning_
* TBD
RACE T-SHIRTS: We suggest completing your online registration as early as possible for the best chance of securing the t-shirt size you prefer. There will be a set inventory of each size. If your size is no longer available, please select the next best size. The T-Shirts for virtual participants can be expected to be delivered to the address you registered with around after the in-person event. Thank you for understanding!
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the 40th Annual Run for the Turtles? Contact Danielle Dwyer, at [email protected] .
Races
-
1-Mile Fun Run or Walk
Incl. $3.90 Fee & 1 - Mile Fun Run T-Shirt
Sat 11th April 2026 (7:30AM EDT)
$43.90
-
Virtual Fun Run or Walk
Incl. $3.90 Fee & Virtual Fun Run T-Shirt
$43.90
Mote Marine Laboratory's 40th Annual Run for the Turtles Virtual Fun Run or Walk may be completed now through April 11, 2026 at your leisure. Virtual participants will receive a race t-shirt in the mail at the physical address submitted during the event registration process. Your t-shirt may be shipped up to 60 days after April 11, 2026. Please bear with us, as we work as quickly as possible to fulfill all orders. -
5K Manasota Track Club - Sanctioned Run
Incl. $3.90 Fee & 5k Race T-Shirt
Sat 11th April 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$43.90
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Siesta Key Public Beach (948 Beach Road), Siesta Key Gazebo (South of the Pavilion), Siesta Key, 34242, FL, United States
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40th Annual Run for the Turtles
