Run or walk for the penguins at Mystic Aquarium

MYSTIC, CT – 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 eight years, the world’s African penguin population has decreased by 42 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. Staff are examining all factors possibly affecting the penguins and developing a plan for the aquarium to lead and assist with education, research and conservation efforts of the species.

WBMW-FM (106.5) is a sponsor of the 3rd annual Penguin Run/Walk. Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary volunteers will watch dogs during the portion of the walk that takes place inside the aquarium.

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. 160.

Tags: Charity Events, Fundraisers, Mystic, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Country, New London County

Category: Upcoming Events