Mystic Aquarium

Lace up your sneakers and get ready to run, walk or waddle for the good of our feathered friends. Mystic Aquarium will hold its 6th Annual Penguin Run/Walk, a 5k run and two-mile walk, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 13 to benefit the endangered African penguin.

All participants receive free admission to Mystic Aquarium on race day; dogs and strollers are welcome in the two-mile walk; door prizes, free food and drinks are available after the race; and the penguins themselves will be racing in the aquarium’s Foxwoods Marine Theater after the awards ceremony.

5K Run
The 5k run is on a trail, field and road course and prizes will be awarded in eight age divisions for males and females.
The run includes a middle school cross-country team competition. The winning team will receive medals and an engraved trophy that will be passed 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. Medals will go to the second and third place teams.

2 Mile Walk
Dogs and strollers are welcome during the two-mile walk.

1/4 Mile Kids' Race
The kids' race will take place after the walk ends and before the awards ceremony.

Top Fundraisers
The top individual fundraiser will be awarded an original piece of art created by the penguins, and the runner-up will receive a free penguin meet and greet during which he/she will interact face-to-face with a penguin. The top fundraising team (consisting of up to 10 runners and/or walkers) will receive a penguin meet and greet and will be recognized on a plaque that will hang at the aquarium.

Free Aquarium Admission
To show our gratitude, all participants receive free Mystic Aquarium admission on race day, where they can visit the 30 African penguins in the Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Exhibit and see more than 70 other exhibits featuring more than 4,900 fish, invertebrates and marine mammals from around the world.

Participation Helps Save the Endangered African Penguin
The African penguin became an endangered species in 2010 and money raised from this event will help the penguins at the aquarium and across the world. The African penguin population has decreased over 60 percent since 2001. The penguins at the aquarium play an integral role in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan, and the aquarium staff’s work with them is helping researchers better understand penguins in the wild. In fact, Mystic Aquarium is a leader in a collaborative, nationwide effort to assist researchers in South Africa and sends staff to South Africa’s SANCCOB, a leader in seabird rescue and rehabilitation, annually to assist in African penguin rescue efforts. Staff from the aquarium’s animal care, education and research departments examine all factors possibly affecting the penguins and develop plans for the aquarium to lead and assist with education, research and conservation efforts of these species.

Registration
Online registration is closed. You can still register in person at Mystic Aquarium on Friday, October 12 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 13 between 7 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. We encourage you to print the registration form and complete before your arrival. For additional information, please contact Theresa Mullin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 860.572.5955 ext. 518. If you are unable to participate but would like to make a donation, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 860.572.5955 ext. 408.

Published on September 19, 2012
Updated October 8, 2012