Record Registration for the 2026 Turtle Trot 5K on April 25th
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Registration for the sunniest, sandiest 5K on Tybee Island is surpassing expectations with more advance sign-ups than ever. Hundreds of runners of all ages and abilities have already registered for the 2026 Turtle Trot 5K Beach Run on Saturday, April 25 at 9am—but there’s still room for more!
The Turtle Trot is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Tybee Island Marine Science Center (TIMSC). Proceeds support the Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project, a conservation project permitted through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to monitor and protect sea turtles on Tybee Island.
Each summer, endangered female loggerheads return to coastal Georgia to lay their eggs. The project team locates these nests along Tybee Island’s shores, protecting them until they’re ready to hatch. The marine biologists of TIMSC care for a wayward hatchling each season, helping it grow strong and healthy during a three-year stay before being released back to the ocean. Our current resident sea turtles, Ossie and Goober, are educating visitors on the impacts affecting sea turtle populations and our conservation efforts to protect them.
The Turtle Trot is a vital part of that effort. Last year brought the most participation ever for this beloved fundraiser with 424 runners—please help us spread the word to help surpass that record!
Registration fee includes t-shirt, medal, and free admission to the science center on race day. Deadline to guarantee a t-shirt is April 6!
When: April 25, 9am
Where: Tybee Island Marine Science Center, 37 Meddin Dr. Tybee Island.
Cost: $45/person Registration link here
Packet Pick Up: In the TIMSC Undercroft by the black gate on the left side of the building.
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Friday, April 2 3-7pm
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Saturday, April 25 8am
Trot Day April 25:
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9am Beach Run Race begins and finishes on the beach by the boardwalk next to the science center. After the race, runners will find water, snacks, medals, run times, and free admission!
Check out photos from the 2025 Turtle Trot here.
The Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project is a conservation project permitted through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to monitor and protect sea turtles on Tybee Island. The project team, including the marine biologists of TIMSC and authorized volunteers, locates and protects sea turtle nests on the island during nesting season from May through August.
Learn more at www.tybeemarinescience.org
