Mystic Aquarium Run and Walk for the Penguins

This past Saturday, October 19th, marked the seventh annual 5k Run for the Penguins at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT. The aquarium uses the race to fundraise for African penguins, whose population has dropped from 1.5 million in 1910 down to only 38,000 as of 2013. Mystic Aquarium works with the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) in trying to help these dwindling birds.

489 participants, along with countless volunteers, teamed up to make this 5k a success. The top overall male was Spy Barres from Mystic, CT, who ran a staggering 17:56. The top overall female was Jennifer Pajer from Leicester, MA, who came in at 20:41. Middle School cross-country teams also ran in this race, raising money for the tuxedoed birds. The Pawcatuck Middle School girls took first place in this year’s competition, while on the boys side the top spot went to Brunswick Middle School. Overall, it was a beautiful day for a race that begins at the aquarium, takes runners through the woods on a dirt trail, out to the neighborhood streets of Mystic, and then ends back on the trail and at the aquarium.

Mystic Aquarium knows how to hook up the participants as well. Overall and division winners receive authentic penguin art. All runners are supplied with water, bagels, delicious New England Clam Chowder, massages, and the opportunity to win raffle prizes. Also, all participants are granted free access to the aquarium for the day. Mystic’s penguins even get into the act, visiting runners at the end of the race, as well as competing in their own race in the aquarium later that day. The aquarium had hoped to raise at least $35,000.00 this year with the race, and they did in fact exceed that expectation, raising over $40,000.00. Hopefully the aquarium can help save the penguins from extinction.