Posted by Kristal Spence on Oct 16 2008, 04:50 PM
Becky Giantonio, the Mystic Aquarium’s assistant director of media and public relations, recently announced the second annual Penguin 5k Run or Walk scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. The event will raise money for aquarium research and conservation efforts around African penguins.
According to Giantonio, African penguin populations have experienced a significant decline in the past three years and are coming closer to making the endangered species list.
“The event consists of a 5k run on a trail, field, and road course, two-mile walk, and quarter-mile kids’ race,” she said in a recent statement. “The walking route winds through the aquarium and Olde Mistick Village. The top three runners in each of eight age divisions for males and females will receive a ceramic tile featuring the penguins’ artwork, and the top fund-raiser will be awarded a larger original piece of penguin art on a canvas.”
Two of the aquarium’s penguins, she explained, recently put their feet to work, creating a unique work of art.
“To create their one-of-a-kind works, the penguins stepped in multicolored paints and walked on the tiles and canvas,” Giantonio continued. “The penguins will also play important roles on race day, greeting runners and walkers at both the start and finish lines, as well as kicking off the race with their calls.”
For the first time this year, Giantonio said, the event includes a merchants’ competition, open to local business teams, and a middle school cross-country team competition. The winners of both competitions will receive an engraved trophy that will be passed on 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.
“The runner-up will receive a free Penguin Encounter, during which he or she will interact face to face with a penguin, and participants who raise $50 or more will get a free commemorative race T-shirt,” she continued, adding that all participants will receive free admission to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration on race day.
Visit mysticaquarium.org to download a registration and donation form. The entry fee for adults is $25 and $10 for children ages 3 to 13. If you are unable to participate but would like to make a donation, send e-mail to sponsorship@mysticaquarium.org or call 860-572-5955, ext. 553. For more information, visit mysticaquarium.org or e-mail Race Director John Trahan at jdtrahan@comcast.net.
Article courtesy of The Mystic Times @
http://zip06.theday.com/blogs/mystic_times/archive/2008/10/16/penguin-art-up-for-grabs-mystic-aquarium-announces-second-annual-penguin-5k.aspx
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