Save the Manatee 5K
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Save the Manatee 5K
The Save the Manatee 5K is an annual run and walk that raises awareness and funds for manatee conservation. The event offers an in-person race at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida, and virtual participation from anywhere in the world where participants may complete an activity of their choosing.
The event traces its origin to Michigan in 2003 and added a virtual option in 2015. In 2025 the in-person race moved to Florida and was held at Blue Spring State Park, a known winter refuge for manatees. The 2025 event involved more than 1,400 participants in total and raised over $25,000 for manatee protection and habitat work.
Multiple registration options are available, including in-person and virtual entries. Many registration options include a race packet with a t-shirt, numbered bib, and a commemorative finisher medal; a virtual entry without merchandise is also available. The in-person race in Florida has been scheduled on November 15, a date that coincides with the start of Manatee Season and occurs during Manatee Awareness Month.
The event is organized to support the mission of protecting manatees and their aquatic habitat. Volunteers, sponsors, and staff have contributed to the event over the years, and the format includes both local and international participation. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
