Mote Marine event raises awareness and support for sea turtle conservation ahead of nesting season

Story and photos by Ned Steele

More than a thousand runners raced up and down Siesta Beach April 11, and turtles were the winners.

The occasion was Mote Marine Laboratory’s 40th annual Run for the Turtles, a communitywide event to raise donations and awareness of the importance of protecting the area’s sea turtles.

Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 through Oct. 31, and at least 6,000 of the reptiles have been identified along the 35 miles of Sarasota County Gulf shoreline between Longboat Key and Venice, said Mote’s chief turtle scientist, Jake Lasala. Nesting turtles and their hatchlings need protection from predators, overly curious humans, beach furniture and nighttime artificial lighting.

Mote deploys up to 300 volunteers to monitor nesting activity and provide protection as needed through its Sea Turtle Conservation and Protection Program. They tag and satellite-track turtles to learn more about their behavior. Thanks to the effort, which began in 1982, and increased community awareness, the coastline’s turtle population has been rising in recent years, Lasala said.

The race “reminds people that the turtles are here,” the scientist said. “We want people in the community to feel involved. This is a really good educational tool to teach people about turtles and what we’re doing. The donations help make sure we maintain our excellence in monitoring.”

Racers of all ages, from tots to octogenarians, lined up to take part in either a fun run or a sanctioned 5-kilometer race along the beach. Showing their dedication, many arrived as early as 6:30 a.m. in the darkness to check in.

For many runners, the event was a family affair.

Lexi Kibbe, a college student interning at Mote for the spring semester, arrived at the beach early with her aunt, Rebecca, a Siesta Key resident. Lexi opted for the fun run, while Rebecca, an avid runner who has completed marathons and half marathons, ran the 5K main event. Cheering them on was Donna Kibbe, Lexi’s grandmother and Rebecca’s mother.

In the name of science, Lexi has participated in research-driven animal necropsies at Mote, helped rescue manatees and rehabilitate sea turtles during her internship. She participated in the run because “I want to do my part for the Mote community,” she said. “The turtles are part of the ocean and a big part of our environment.”

Rebecca, a trial lawyer, frequently runs along Siesta Beach but said this was her first race there. During those runs, she has often seen turtle nests near Point of Rocks and Turtle Beach. “I came out to support sea turtles and also to support my niece,” she said. “Marine life is important to our cultural and ecological systems.”

Three generations of the McAlister family, visiting Siesta Key from Massachusetts, took part in the run. Grandpa Lenny, who has been coming to the Key for 30 years, said, “The turtles are a part of nature that needs to be preserved.”

Cooper, 5, proudly showed off the medal he received for completing the fun run, his first official race, accompanied by his father, Ernie.

Another father-and-son team was Ryan and Anthony Arroyo, longtime area residents. “I’m here for the turtles, man,” Ryan said. “We have to save the environment.” His son, Anthony, had a more immediate objective. “I came out to support my dad,” he said.

The winner of the 5K race was Alexis Giraudineau, a visitor from France, who finished with a time of 17:01. “My wife and I love turtles and all animals,” he said. “If we can help in any way, we will.”