- March 30, 2025
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Morris the Explorasaurus of Great Explorations Children's Museum, greets Gilly of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, with a hug.
Photo by Ian SwabyMote's Sophia Johnson prepares the costume of Shelley.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch High School Dean Brandon Ludwig accompanied senior Jayson Corpus, who played the Mustang, the winner of the race.
Photo by Ian SwabySuper Tooth of Varone Orthodontics receives a glove from Ally Paige.
Photo by Ian SwabyMaverick the Manatee from State College of Florida poses with Remy the armadillo from Ringling College of Art & Design.
Photo by Ian SwabyGilly, from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, gets some stretches in prior to the run.
Photo by Ian SwabyGilly from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and Morris the Explorasaurus, from Great Explorations Children's Museum, get in a playful mood.
Photo by Ian SwabyMorris the Explorasaurus is eager to race on the "#1 Beach in the USA."
Photo by Ian SwabyGeorgia Sanacore walks with Cat Depot's mascot Petunia, and Dilia Kloeckner.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Mustang, the Ram, Shelley, Mote's Dr. Jake Lasala, Gilly, Morris the Explorasaurus, Petunia, Super Tooth and Floody the Frog prepare to race.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Mustang from Lakewood Ranch High School, the Ram from Riverview High School, and Shelley from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, head to the finish line.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Mustang of Lakewood Ranch High School and the Ram of Riverview High School face off.
Photo by Ian SwabyMote's Kaitlyn Fusco holds out a trophy in front of Super Tooth from Varone Orthodontics, Petunia from Cat Depot, and the race's winner, Mustang from Lakewood Ranch High School.
Photo by Ian SwabyState College of Florida's Madeline Mangas poses with Maverick the Manatee.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe sunny weather the morning of Feb. 27 didn't call for heavy attire.
Nonetheless, Cat Depot volunteer John Kloeckner didn't mind wearing a full mascot costume on the sands of Siesta Key Beach.
"Oh, it's a little warm, but that's okay," he said.
He was among the mascots from various organizations that came together for a quick race promoting the 39th Annual Run for the Turtles, set to be held by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium on April 5.
A race participant of 10 years, Kloeckner said he gets "a kick" out of representing Cat Depot's mascot, Petunia, at various events, motivated by his love of cats — but also turtles.
All proceeds from the run support the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program, which monitors 35 miles of beach in Sarasota County.
Program Manager Dr. Jake Lasala said the county's sea turtle population has been steadily growing thanks to efforts in conservation and protection.
"We think that a lot of that growth is because of the citizen science that has occurred in this area, and we're really excited about that," he said.
