Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles

Although running on sand has its challenges, it's an experience to which Alexis Giraudineau keeps returning.

He said although the sand on Siesta Key Beach on April 11 was dry, which makes it a challenge, the experience of Run for the Turtles was "always cool" and always draws a crowd. 

"There's a good crowd here; everyone's supporting each other," he said. "That's why we come on this race. So, a lot of fun; hard for the legs, but a lot of fun, a very good experience."

The longest-running fundraiser by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, this year's run marked its 40th year. Proceeds from the event support the organization's Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program.

The program marks and monitors nests along 35 miles of beach from Longboat Key to Venice, an area that includes highest density of loggerhead turtle nests in the Gulf, amid the presence of other sea turtle species.

"This run helps make sure that the public stays engaged with us, because even though we've moved our aquarium, we'll still be out on the beach, and so we want to make sure that people know that we're out there and are still going to be doing the stuff that we're doing," said Jake Lasala, manager of Mote's Sea Turtle and Conservation Research program. 

Although sea turtle nesting season officially starts on May 1, staff and volunteers will start monitoring the beaches on April 15, Lasala said, as staff have seen sea turtles come ashore to nest earlier than the official start date. 

"We ask that that people turn their lights off at night so that we can encourage turtles to come onto the beach, and we ask that people bring their chairs back and fill in holes so that we're not having an impact on their behavior," he said.