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20th Annual Save the Manatee 5K Raises $41,000!

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By Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate

The 20th annual Save the Manatee 5K race in 2023 was a huge success, raising $41,000 which brings the total contributions from this race over 20 years to $408,000. Almost 400 runners and walkers participated in the in-person race in Harrison Township, Michigan, in October, and over 1,200 people joined virtually representing all 50 U.S. states and 17 countries.

This year’s in-person race will be Saturday, September 28, in Harrison Township, and the virtual option is available year-round! Save the Manatee Club will also host a few virtual meet ups in Central Florida—more information to come. Registration for the in-person and virtual runs is open, so visit savethemanatee5k.com today!

We can’t thank race directors Lesley Argiri and her husband Brian McDonald enough for their continued support for manatees! To honor their efforts, we have created a scholarship fund in their name for graduate students wanting to pursue a degree in the biology field. Stay tuned for more details.

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From left to right, Senator Kevin Hertel (D-12), longtime SMC 5K organizer Lesley Argiri, SMC Director of Multimedia Cora Berchem, Harrison Township Supervisor Ken Verkest, and Linda Thorpe of Congressman John James' office.
Photo by Save the Manatee Club.

Fond Farewell, New Beginning For SMC 5K

After 21 years of extraordinary dedication, Lesley Argiri and Brian McDonald hosted their final in-person Save the Manatee 5K fundraiser in Michigan this past September.

Jason Rose and Cora Berchem perform maintenance on the underwater webcam at Blue Spring.
Photo by Save the Manatee Club.

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The above-water webcam at Homosassa Springs captured an aggregation of manatees. Photo by Save the Manatee Club.

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