Run for the Turtles
About this race
Thank you for supporting sea turtles!
Mote Marine Laboratory's 40th Annual Run for the Turtles will be held on Saturday, April 11th 2026, and we can't wait to see you on Siesta Key Beach!
Location: 948 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
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 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Race Pricing (Prices are the same for the 1 Mile & 5K):
Adults (14 & Up):
- $40 Regular Pricing through April 11, 2026
Kids (13 & Under):
- $30 Regular Pricing through 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
40th Annual Run for the Turtles
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Early Packet Pickup for Mote’s 40th Annual Run for the Turtles!
Saturday, April 11th | Siesta Key Beach
Thank you for registering for the 40th Annual Run for the Turtles — every registration directly supports Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Program, helping protect and rehabilitate sea turtles along our coasts.
Early packet pickup with be occurring on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10.
Thursday, April 9
3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)* located at 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, FL. Packet pickup will be under the drive towards the back of the building.
Friday, April 10
12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Mellow Mushroom, 6727 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL.
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 ddwyer@mote.org .
Join fellow runners on April 6, 2024 for the Run for the Turtles. It's a fantastic 1.6K, Virtual Fun Run or Walk, 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Siesta Key.
Pick your distance
Running
1-Mile Fun Run or Walk
Virtual Fun Run or Walk
Mote Marine Laboratory's 38th Annual Run for the Turtles Virtual Fun Run or Walk may be completed now through April 6, 2024 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 6, 2024. Please bear with us, as we work as quickly as possible to fulfill all orders.
5K Manasota Track Club - Sanctioned Run
Weather Overview
These values reflect historical conditions on the race dates in Siesta Key in 2024, from Open-Meteo archive data.
About Siesta Key
Run for the Turtles takes place in Siesta Key, Florida, United States. The local timezone is America/New_York.
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🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Siesta Key
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Siesta Key 5K Races Best Siesta Key routes for beginners and speed work.
- Siesta Key Running Calendar 2026 See all upcoming race dates.
Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.