Description

UPDATE:

In compliance with CDC guidelines and current trends with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to temporarily close Turtle Trek registration for in-person participation as we have reached the recommended capacity. As a scientific organization, it is our duty to keep the health and safety of our runners and staff top priority. As guidelines change, we may decide to open registration up to more runners in the future.

Remote runner registration will remain open, and we invite you to participate in Turtle Trek no matter where you are. You can run wherever you would like, and still support sea turtles. More information about remote running will be available soon.

OVERVIEW

About the Turtle Trek

Run for the turtles! The South Carolina Aquarium Turtle Trek, a 5K sunset beach run/walk, will take place Saturday, October 10th on Isle of Palms. Proceeds from the 5th annual Turtle Trek support the Sea Turtle Care Center™ and the Aquarium’s conservation initiatives.

About the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center

Worldwide, all seven species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered, four of which are found locally: the loggerhead, the Kemp’s ridley, the green and the leatherback. To help ensure that sea turtles have a future in our oceans, the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center aids sick and injured sea turtles in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Sea turtles arrive at the Care Center suffering from bacterial or fungal infections, shock from exposure to cold temperatures, injury from a boat strike or shark bite, or ingestion of plastic from the ocean. Our staff veterinarian diagnoses each turtle and works with Sea Turtle Care Center staff and volunteers to provide treatment and rehabilitative care.

To date, we have rehabilitated and released more than 290 sea turtles back into their natural habitats. With your support, we can continue efforts to sustain these species into the next century and beyond.

The Mission of the South Carolina Aquarium

Our mission is to inspire conservation of the natural world by exhibiting and caring for animals, by excelling in education and research, and by providing an exceptional visitor experience. 

The South Carolina Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Questions or comments? Please contact Stephanie Gabosch at (843) 579-8540 or [email protected]

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT  South Carolina Aquarium’s 5th annual sunset beach run

WHEN  Saturday, October 10th, 2020

3:30-5:30 pm     Packet pickup and Beach Sweep

5:30 pm               Kids’ fun run

6:00 pm               5K beach run

6:30-8:30 pm     After Party and Awards

WHERE  The 5K beach run and kids’ fun run will take place at Isle of Palms County Park, located at 1 14th Avenue, Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

The After Party and awards presentation will be held at the Windjammer, located at 1008 Ocean Boulevard, Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

WHY  Funds raised will support the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center

REGISTRATION INCLUDES  Race entry, technical T-shirt and After Party access. The After Party will be held at the Windjammer and includes awards, food for all runners, a raffle with excellent prizes and music.

**We recommend that you register early as this event will sell out**

REMOTE RUNNERS  We invite you to participate in Turtle Trek no matter where you are! You can run the 5k in your own neighborhood, or wherever you would like, and still support sea turtles! Don’t forget to share your pictures and race time share your pics and race time using #turtletrek.  Run the 5K in your own neighborhood, share your pics and race time! Remote Runners who register by September 15th, will receive a mailed race t-shirt and race bib before October 10th.

PRICING

Early Bird (May 1 – May 31)
5K - $35
Kids’ fun run - $15
Remote Runners - $25 (includes mailed t-shirt & race bib)

Regular (June 1 – September 9)
5K - $40
Kids’ fun run - $20
Remote Runners - $30 (includes mailed t-shirt & race bib)

Late (September 10 – October 10)
5K - $45
Kids’ fun run - $25
Remote Runners - $35 (includes mailed t-shirt & race bib)

Aquarium Member's receive $5 off all registration types.

AWARDS Awards will be presented to the Top 3 Overall (M/F) and Top 3 in Age Categories (M/F): 1-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+. Ribbons will be presented to all kids’ fun run participants.

PARKING  Parking at the Isle of Palms County Park is $10 per vehicle or free with a Gold Pass membership. 

POLICIES

Turtle Trek registration is non-refundable, and the event will be held rain or shine.

T-shirts are only guaranteed to participants that register on or before September 10.

You will receive the t-shirt size that you register for, we cannot accommodate onsite size exchanges.

All proceeds benefit the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center.

Questions or comments? Please contact Stephanie Gabosch at (843) 579-8540 or [email protected].

PACKET PICKUP  

Advance packet pickup is to be announced.

Onsite packet pickup is Saturday, October 10th from 3:30pm – 5:30pm at Isle of Palms County Park.