South Carolina Aquarium’s 5th Annual Turtle Trek 5K goes virtual
August 25, 2020
Proceeds from the 5K race support the Sea Turtle Care Center™ and other Aquarium conservation efforts
Distance and dates will no longer be a hurdle to participate in the South Carolina Aquarium’s Turtle Trek 5K as it takes on a new, virtual format. Whether participants run through their neighborhood, in a local park or even on a treadmill, they can still support the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles. Anyone, anywhere can participate by choosing their own route, their own starting time and their own pace.
The Turtle Trek 5K, typically held on a fall date at Isle of Palms County Park, will now offer participants the option to run during a one-week span. The 5K Remote Run and Kid’s Remote Run, sponsored by Crews Subaru of Charleston, Publix Super Markets Charities and TD Bank, can occur anywhere at any time during the week of October 3 – 10.
“Crews Subaru subscribes fully to the Subaru Love Promise. Our owner, Robert Crews, signed the Love Promise pledge detailing Subaru’s expectations from us in supporting our community,” said Ken French, marketing and events manager. “Just because 2020 is different does not mean that Crews Subaru has changed its commitments.”
All proceeds from the Turtle Trek 5K support the continuation of the rehabilitative care provided in the Sea Turtle Care Center, a pillar of the South Carolina Aquarium’s conservation mission. To help ensure that sea turtles have a future in our oceans, the Care Center aids sick and injured sea turtles in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. For the past 20 years, the Aquarium has treated turtles suffering from bacterial and fungal infections, shock from exposure to cold temperatures, injury from boat strikes and shark bites and ingestion of plastic from the ocean. All four species of sea turtle found in South Carolina’s waters, the loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley and the green, are threatened or endangered and all have been rehabilitated at the South Carolina Aquarium.
To date, the South Carolina Aquarium has rehabilitated and released more than 300 sea turtles back into their natural habitats. With the support of the Turtle Trek 5K, those efforts can continue to sustain these species into the next century and beyond.
Registration for the run is currently open and participants are encouraged to sign up before September 3 in order to receive their race t-shirts in time for race week. New this year, registered runners will be sent a digital toolkit that will allow them to “go the extra mile” by fundraising for their favorite sea turtle patient! The toolkit will spotlight three beloved patients for runners to champion and includes graphics, videos and more to share across their social media platforms. All remote runners are encouraged to share their pictures and race time using #turtletrek.
Learn more and register to run at SCAquarium.org/TurtleTrek.
About the South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston’s No. 1 family attraction, features thousands of aquatic animals from river otters and sharks to loggerhead sea turtles and fish in more than 60 exhibits representing the rich biodiversity of South Carolina from the mountains to the sea. Dedicated to promoting education and conservation, the Aquarium also presents sweeping views of the Charleston harbor along with interactive exhibits and programs for visitors of all ages.
The South Carolina Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Normal business hours are daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Aquarium is closed Thanksgiving Day, half day Dec. 24 (open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Dec. 25. Tickets are currently dated and timed and must be purchased in advance. Admission prices are: Toddlers (2 and under) free; Youth (3-12) $22.95; Adults (13+) $29.95. For more information, call (843) 577-FISH (3474), or visit SCAquarium.org/TurtleTrek.
