{"id":2385,"date":"2016-04-02T11:08:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-02T15:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mote.org\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2024-02-13T11:12:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T16:12:32","slug":"30th-annual-run-for-the-turtles-makes-great-strides-for-endangered-sea-turtles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mote.org\/news\/30th-annual-run-for-the-turtles-makes-great-strides-for-endangered-sea-turtles\/","title":{"rendered":"30th Annual Run for the Turtles makes great strides for endangered sea turtles"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 1,000 runners and walkers hit the beach to help endangered and threatened sea turtles during Mote\u2019s 30th Run for the Turtles today, April 2, on Siesta Public Beach. (Race results below).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was so great to see so many kids and adults out here today supporting sea turtles and helping to spread awareness of the sea turtle season, which starts May 1 and goes through October 31,\u201csaid Kristen Mazzarella, senior biologist with Mote\u2019s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. \u201cIt was a great day and a great run!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Run, which includes a 5K sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club and a 1-mile fun-run\/walk, has provided major support for Mote Marine Laboratory\u2019s sea turtle conservation and monitoring efforts. 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\u2019s Sea Turtle Patrol monitor sea turtle nesting each day during nesting season, May through October.<\/p>\n

The Run, a joint effort between Mote, the Manasota Track Club and Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, raises funds to help Mote scientists study and protect sea turtles, which are considered threatened or endangered under federal law.<\/p>\n

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 a 1-mile fun run\/walk and a 5K run sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club.<\/p>\n

Runners younger than 9 and older than 80 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.<\/p>\n

Today Dean Cutshall, now 73-years-old, completed his 30th Run for the Turtles.<\/p>\n

He first put his feet forward for turtle research and conservation 30 years ago on the beautiful sand of Siesta Key for Mote Run for the Turtles, and to honor the 30th Run, he wore bib number 30.<\/p>\n

\u201cI participated in my first Run for the Turtles 30 years ago, and I kept the tradition alive because number one, the folks at Mote Marine Laboratory are just absolutely wonderful, and number two, I wanted to keep supporting them and their research program that supports sea turtles because I have an interest in marine life,\u201c Cutshall said. \u201cIt was an honor to wear bid number 30 this year, and I look forward to running next year!\u201d
\nTo kick off the awards ceremony, Scott Collins, Mote Trustee, addressed the guests:<\/p>\n

\u201cMote is an international research facility and this run supports the work of the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program, which has been monitoring and protecting sea turtles for more than 30 years,\u201d Collins said.<\/p>\n

Collins noted that Mote\u2019s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program has monitored over 61,000 turtle activities on our beaches and protected more than 2 million eggs.<\/p>\n

Collins said this year\u2019s run would not have been possible without the Manasota Track Club, the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation and all of the funding partners. He recognized two organizations, Positive Tracks and Gulf Coast Community Foundation, that matched dollar-for-dollar all donations that were raised and contributed by the youth that is participated in the run.<\/p>\n

Ray Shedd, Director of Partnerships & Marketing of Positive Tracks said, \u201cPositive Tracks is delighted to support Mote\u2019s Run for the Turtles, and promoting youth getting active and giving back during this phenomenal event,\u201d Shedd said.<\/p>\n

Shedd noted that last year the event raised over $50,000 for sea turtle conservation and research, and $20,000 of that was raised by youth participants alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are so proud of all the families that came out today, stepped out of their comfort zones and challenged themselves to give back and support Mote,\u201d Shedd said.<\/p>\n

Mark Pritchett, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, invited young participants to the stage during the awards ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was rewarding to see the amount of youth who came out on this beautiful day to stay active and support Mote,\u201d Pritchett said.<\/p>\n

Pritchett recognized Girls on the Run, which had 5 teams participating in the run \u2013 the most teams any organization had.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn behalf of Gulf Coast, we are happy to match dollar-for-dollar everything that these young women have raised, and also the young men and other youths who did such a fantastic job,\u201d said Pritchett.<\/p>\n

Other local youths raised funds on their own or in teams \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Support the Mote’s sea turtle conservation and monitoring efforts<\/a> with a donation.<\/p>\n

Mote thanks the sponsors who made this event possible, including: Postive Tracks, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Brighthouse Networks, ABC 7, Kids Serve, Mosaic, Mote Scientific Foundation, Crunch Fitness, Family Beautiful, Lynches Pub & Grub, Microsoft, New Balance\/Fleet Feet Sports, Rogers Family Foundation, Cooper Creek Dental, Dean Cutshall, Deep Sea Diner, Edward Jones Investments, KoalaTee, Starbucks, Joseph Strong, Westbridge Veterinary Clinic, Wilde Insurance Services, Gerry and Mary Ann Beard, Joan L Osgood LMT , Uniquity of St. Armands, Vanessa\u2019s Fine Jewelry, Albritton\u2019s, SaraJane and William Bush, Einstein Bros Bagels, Florida State Massage Therapy Association, Linda and Kumar Mahadevan, Publix, Becky and Gordon Rose, Subway, Tropicana Products, Inc and Z Entertainment.<\/p>\n

Race Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

5K winners:<\/strong>
\nOverall male winner: Richmond Stoltzfus, age 16, time: 17:30
\nOverall female winner:\u00a0 Rachel Chambers, age 43, time: 21:05<\/p>\n

1-Mile Fun Run\/Walk winners:<\/strong>
\nMale winner: Ian Crisenbery age 11
\nFemale winner: Hannah Daniel, age 15<\/p>\n

For a complete list of finalized results from each age category visit Manasota Track Club<\/a>\u00a0and at AccuChip Timing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sea turtle nesting tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we approach the first day of nesting season, May 1, please keep the following tips in mind to protect sea turtles:<\/p>\n

Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n