Run for the Seals - The Marine Mammal Center
“Whether you participate as an individual, form a team, or become a virtual participant from the comfort of your own couch, you'll be supporting sick and injured pinniped patients," explained Kate Harle, Run for the Seals event director.
Sausalito, CA (PRWEB) July 03, 2013
Runners, walkers, families and dog owners will get a workout while helping sick and injured marine mammals during The Marine Mammal Center’s 29th Annual Run for the Seals fun run, walk and fundraiser on August 17 at Rodeo Beach in Sausalito, CA. This is the Center’s top community fundraising event that attracts approximately 1,500 Bay Area residents and visitors to the beautiful Golden Gate National Recreation Area to support the Center’s work in providing medical care for hundreds of sick and injured seals and sea lions volunteers and staff rescue each year. Event organizers are also inviting artists, young and old, to enter a t-shirt design contest for a unique opportunity to have their artwork featured on the official Run for the Seals t-shirt that online registrants will receive. In all, the Center hopes to raise more than $75,000 through team and individual fundraising for the event. A family fun day at The Marine Mammal Center follows the run.
“Whether you participate as an individual, form a team, or become a virtual participant from the comfort of your own couch, our online fundraising tools will help you reach out to your family and friends to support your efforts and help our pinniped patients,” explained Kate Harle, Run for the Seals event director, and marketing and communications strategy officer at The Marine Mammal Center. “It’s been a busy year for our animal care team as they’ve taken in over 350 sick and injured marine mammals already, so we welcome all support to help us with the incoming patients we expect to see for the remainder of this year.”
Kids and adults are invited to enter the Run for the Seals t-shirt design contest and create artwork that best captures the spirit of the event. All entries must be submitted online by midnight July 19. The top design will be featured on the t-shirt and the winner will receive a special tour of The Marine Mammal Center for up to four people as well as a $100 gift certificate from the Sports Basement. Rules and submission instructions can be found at http://www.runfortheseals.org.
Runners are invited to keep track of their times as they cross the finish line during this self-timed event which begins at 9 a.m. Participants can choose from two beautiful routes: a hilly four mile trail run or a stroller-friendly two mile walk also perfect for dogs on a leash. Both trails wind through the picturesque Marin Headlands and will offer refreshment and information stations, and dog watering spots along the way.
After the event, all participants are invited to attend a Family Fun Day at The Marine Mammal Center and enjoy complimentary food and beverages. They’ll also be able to go on tours to learn more about the Center’s work, see seal and sea lion patients from the observation deck, and explore educational booths from event partners and enjoy other fun activities.
The Center will award medals to the first, second and third place men, women and children (12 years and under) of the four mile run. Even the dogs are winners at Run for the Seals and all will receive a goodie bag full of canine treats while supplies last. Additionally, the Center will award prizes for fundraising and for the most creative ocean-themed costumes (human and canine).
More information and registration details are available at http://www.runfortheseals.org.
Event schedule:
- 7:00 a.m. – Check-in and race day registration opens at Rodeo Beach
- 8:30 a.m. - Roads into the Marin Headlands close
- 9:00 a.m. - Four mile race starts followed by the two mile walk
- 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Family Fun Day begins and awards program takes place at The Marine Mammal Center
- 12:00 p.m. – Roads open. Vehicles will not be able to leave the race area until the last runners cross the finish line
- 2:00 p.m. – Family Fun Day winds down
Event and Registration Details:
- Adult Online (http://www.runfortheseals.org) Registration: $35 per person; $45 starting August 1
- Child (under 12) $20 per person; $25 starting August 1
- Children under 4 are free (but still need to be registered online)
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times
- Online registration closes August 9
- T-shirt design contest entries must be received by midnight July 19. No registration required to enter
About The Marine Mammal Center:
The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit animal hospital, research and education center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned marine mammals, and to the study of their health. Since 1975, the Center has been based in the Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA within the Golden Gate National Park, and has rescued over 18,000 marine mammals along its 600-mile rescue range. Visitors to the Center have the unique opportunity to learn about marine mammals through viewing areas, educational exhibits and docent-led tours. Free admission, open daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) MarineMammalCenter.org.
