Press Release: 2011 Turtle Trot 5k and Free Family-Friendly Turtle-Themed Events, Saturday, May 21

Arlington County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources is hosting the first-ever Turtle Trot 5k race on Saturday, May 21, at South Bluemont Park (601 North Manchester Street, North 4th Street Entrance, Arlington, VA 22203). This is a chip-timed, certified 5k race to support Arlington’s turtle and wildlife rehabilitation and education programs.

Advanced registration for the 2011 Turtle Trot takes place via www.Active.com. Registration fees are $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. (Registration fee reductions are available to qualified individuals; call 703-525-0168.) Check-in and day-of registration for the race starts at 9 a.m. at the Lower Bluemont picnic shelter accessible from the North 4th Street entrance near the soccer fields off of Manchester Street. The race starts at 10 a.m. For more information, visit:
http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/nature/TurtleTrot5K.aspx.

The Turtle Trot also includes a number of free events at the picnic shelter from 10:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. Watch an actual turtle race, take part in making turtle crafts, play turtle-themed games, jump on the moon bounce or have your face painted. Naturalists will also be on hand to answer your questions about Arlington’s turtles.

The 2011 Turtle Trot is sponsored by the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (PRCR). The 2011 Turtle Trot 5k also enjoys generous support and prize give-aways from local merchants, including Chick-fil-A, Arlington Community Federal Credit Union, Shirlington Self Storage, Mr. Wash Car Wash, and Kinder Haus Toys.