2021 Turtle Krawl 5K

Event Description

In 2010, the Sea Turtle Preservation Society Board of Directors voted to resurrect the Turtle Krawl, changing many aspects of the event but keeping the name the same. The STPS decided to move the race north to the heart of Indialantic, where the STPS Sea Turtle House is located. They hired Running Zone to provide course management and electronic timing. They agreed to purchase top of the line race shirts and medals, and provide other amenities in order to make the Turtle Krawl one of the area’s best 5k races.

Hoping for 250 registrants, the STPS was astounded when more than 600 people signed up for the race in 2010, netting more than $8000 for the non-profit, volunteer-run organization. In 2011, nearly 1000 people signed up for the race, and the STPS was able to raise over $20,000. In 2012, more than 1800 people registered for the race, making it the largest 5k in Brevard County and raising more than $34,000 for the STPS. The race has continued to grow since then, attracting as many as 2800 participants.

Where does the money raised from the Turtle Krawl go, you ask? Even though Brevard County has one of the highest concentrations of sea turtle nesting in the entire world, until recently, the closest rehabilitation facility was approximately a 90 minute drive from our beaches. Despite the best efforts of STPS volunteers, this distance resulted in delayed treatment for sick and injured sea turtles and reduced their chances of survival. After the unexpected success of the 2010 race, the STPS Board of Directors unanimously agreed to earmark Turtle Krawl proceeds for “special projects,” with the number one goal being getting a sea turtle facility built in Brevard County. In 2013, STPS partnered with the Brevard Zoo to make this dream a reality. Construction of the new facility was completed at the zoo in April of 2014, and the Sea Turtle Healing Center officially opened its doors to Brevard County’s sick and injured sea turtles. The STPS has committed to give $25,000 annually to the zoo to help cover the costs of this facility. Every single one of these dollars was raised through the Turtle Krawl.