We’ll be hosting our first-ever “Run of the Turtles” on Saturday, June 15. The family-friendly event, supported in part by the Four Bands Healing Center, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include a 1K walk, 1K relay and 5K relay.
Designed to promote courage, perseverance and friendly competition, this community fun walk and relay challenge also will promote diabetes prevention and the pleasure of sharing healthy exercise with family and friends. The event will kick off with a light breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in our Cokata Wiconi teen center on East Lincoln Street. Staff and volunteers will serve fresh apples, bananas and oranges with yogurt and granola, and beverages will include orange juice and water.
While participants may register in advance, final ROTT registration will begin at 8 a.m. and remain open for an hour on the day of the event. At 9 a.m., our staff will explain race rules and assemble participants at the starting line. Teams of two to four people may participate in the 1K walk; teams of four people in the 1K relay; and teams of four to eight people in the 5K relay. Each race will have its own color: 1K walkers will have red arm bands and follow red turtle signs along their race course, while 1K relayers will be yellow and 5K relayers will be green. We’ll provide water stations throughout all three courses.
At 1 p.m., following the conclusion of all race activities, all ROTT participants will gather in the Cokata Wiconi cafe for a hearty lunch of BLT and sub sandwiches, fruit and yogurt planners, Sun Chips and Jello cake, served with water, lemonade, iced tea and juice. Finally, at 1:30 p.m., staff will announce the winners of the three ROTT races and hand out prizes.
“We’re hoping to have a great turnout for our first annual Run of the Turtles, because the number of participants will determine whether this does become a yearly event,” said Julie Garreau, our executive director. “So please call us if you have questions, and make sure you arrive early on June 15 to enjoy a healthy breakfast and register your team for what promises to be a fun, exciting day.”
Interested participants may register for ROTT in advance by calling (605) 964-8200 or sending an e-mail to Tasina Smith, youth programs assistant, at ypa1.cryp@gmail.com. Last-chance registration will take place at Cokata Wiconi from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 15.