This year’s Race for the Planet at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is scheduled for 8 a.m. April 27.
Registration is open for the 5K and 1-mile fun run in Kure Beach that will wind along the Atlantic Ocean and through the aquarium’s maritime forest.
Supporter Spotlight
“Space is limited for this popular event that features a route through historic Fort Fisher with beautiful vistas of the ocean and marshes — all reminders of the important work of the Aquarium to protect the environment,” the release from the aquarium states.
The in-person 5K registration fee is $40 and the timed 1-mile fun run is $24. Both include a race shirt and admission to the aquarium on race day. The virtual 5K is $35 and includes a shirt.
All funds support the facility’s sustainability initiatives through the North Carolina Aquarium Society to reduce carbon footprint of the event and expanding programs to eliminate single-use plastic, tackle hard-to-recycle materials, and enhance organic waste composting.
The society is the nonprofit organization that manages donations on behalf of the aquarium system.
Participants can opt out of the shirt, which will direct $10 of their registration fee to the society’s efforts.
Supporter Spotlight
In staying with the aquarium’s green initiatives, organizers recommend bringing reusable water bottles to use at the refill station, use environmentally friendly bug repellant and to carpool.
All visitors can support a greener environment by bringing household hazardous waste and electronics to drop off at the aquarium’s Sustainability Drive.
“It’s more than a race. It’s movement to make a difference. For you, for the aquarium, and for the planet,” organizers said.
The aquarium will be open to the public following the race. Online tickets are required and can be reserved online.
