Whitney Lab 5K

👟 Race Overview

Lace up your shoes for marine science and join us for this year’s Whitney Lab 5K! Run, walk, or jog with us at the beautiful River to Sea Preserve trails (or anywhere with our virtual option) to celebrate marine science. This year's featured animal - the bat star (Patiria miniata)!

💰 Proceeds and Purpose

• Support: All 5K proceeds will go to the Whitney Laboratory gift fund, a fund that powers the lab's programming.
• Programming: Includes community lectures, public education, facilities improvements, public events, and critical student experiences at the lab.
• Essentials: Your participation is essential to operating all the programs at the lab!

📝 Registration Details

• Limit: Race limited to only 200 in-person participants!
• Pricing: February 17 - 28: $35: March 1-31: $40: April 1-11: $45: Day of Race Registration (April 13): $45.
• Virtual: Virtual race option available for $45.

👕 Shirts and Medals

• Provided: Shirt and medal provided to all participants (in-person and virtual): proceeds support the UF Whitney Lab for Marine Bioscience.
• Size Availability: Preferred shirt size only available to those registered by March 16: March 17 - April 13 registrations will receive a large shirt size.
• Delivery: If virtual option is chosen, your shirt and medal will be mailed out after April 13. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

📅 Race Day Information

• Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
• Time: 8:00 AM
• Location: River to Sea Preserve - 9805 Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
• Refreshments: Post race refreshments will be provided.

🏃 Race Course

The course will include 3 loops on the Matanzas Hammock Loop entirely on trails and is close to a 5K length. There will be a sign at the start of the loop but not at mile distances. Course Map

🚗 Parking Information

• Free Parking: Available at the River to Sea Preserve near race start, River to Sea Preserve Parking lot near beach, or DEP Marineland Field Station.
• Carpooling: Carpooling encouraged as spots are limited.
• Alternative Parking: Public parking available at the Whitney Laboratory (approximately 1/2 mile away from the race start).

📦 Packet Pickup

Race Day Packet Pickup: Sunday, April 13, 2025, 6:30 - 7:30 AM – River to Sea Preserve 9805 Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080

🏆 Awards

Top Overall Male & Female, Top 3 in each age group: 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and above.

👶 Kids Fun Run

Free kids fun run will be after the 5K, approximately .4 mile on the Scrub Loop.

✉️ Contact Us

• Questions: Email wlmb@whitney.ufl.edu
• Race Website: Visit this link.

🎉 Join Us as a Sponsor!

Contact Ellie Padgett at 904-201-8471 or email wlmb@whitney.ufl.edu.

More information on Sponsor Levels.

🌐 Race Registration

Sign up for the race here.