3rd Annual Penguin Run/Walk October 17, 2009

Lace up your sneakers and get ready to run or walk for the good of our feathered friends. Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration will hold a 5k run and two-mile walk at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 17 to benefit our much-loved African penguins. For the first time ever, dogs are welcome to join their families in the two-mile walk.

The event consists of a 5k run on a trail, field and road course, two-mile walk and ¼-mile kids’ race. Prizes will be awarded in eight age divisions for males and females. Participants who raise $50 or more will receive a free commemorative race T-shirt. The top individual fundraiser will be awarded an original piece of art created by the penguins, and the runner-up will receive a free Penguin Encounter, during which he/she will interact face-to-face with a penguin. The top fundraising team (consisting of up to 10 runners and/or walkers) will receive a penguin Encounter Program and will be recognized on a plaque that will hang at the Aquarium.

The event also includes a middle school cross-country team competition. The winning team will receive an engraved trophy that will be passed to each year’s winning team. Each of the members on the middle school winning team will also receive a meet-and-greet with a penguin. Medals will go to the second and third place teams.

All participants will receive free admission on race day to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, where they can visit the 27 African penguins in the Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Exhibit and see more than 70 other exhibits featuring more than 4,900 fish, invertebrates and marine mammals from around the world.

The money raised will help the penguins at the aquarium and across the world. Over the last 30 years, the world’s African penguin population has decreased by 50 percent. The penguins at the aquarium play an integral role in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan, and the aquarium staff’s work with them is helping researchers better understand penguins in the wild. In fact, the aquarium is a leader in a collaborative, nationwide effort to assist researchers in South Africa. Last year, staff from the aquarium’s animal care, education and research departments got together to form the Penguin Task Force. Their mission is to examine all factors possibly affecting the penguins and develop a plan for the aquarium to lead and assist with education, research and conservation efforts of these species.

Visit mysticaquarium.org to register and get additional event details. If you are unable to participate but would like to make a donation, please e-mail development@mysticaquarium.org or call (860) 572-5955, ext. 223.

COST: Individuals - $20 entry fee, $25 after October 9
Children ages 3 to 13 - $10.
Families - $50, $60 after October 9
Middle school teams - $50 (up to 10 people), $5 for each additional team member
All participants receive free admission to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration on race day.

For more information, visit mysticaquarium.org or e-mail Race Director John Trahan at jdtrahan@comcast.net.

Official Website: http://www.mysticaquarium.org/visit/calendar/details/13-penguin-5k-walkrun