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Save the Manatee® 5K

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Save the Manatee 5K Run/Walk

Join 1600 participants from around the world helping manatees by participating in the 23rd Annual Save the Manatee 5K! You can participate in-person by walking or running with us at Blue Spring State Park, or virtually from anywhere in the world doing any activity of your choosing.

Registration is not open for 2026 yet, but stay tuned for more details!

About the 5K

Inspired by a love for manatees and a newfound passion for running, high school biology teacher Lesley Argiri started the Save the Manatee 5K in Michigan in 2003. Supported by her husband, Brian McDonald, and dedicated student volunteers from L’Anse Creuse High School, the first race brought 150 participants to Lake St. Clair Metropark to run and raise awareness and funds for manatees. Through their dedication and hard work, the race grew year after year into a cherished local tradition, eventually drawing in over 1000 participants all united for the cause. In 2015, a virtual component was added, allowing people from around the world to participate virtually by completing an activity of their choice at a location of their choosing, any time of the year. After 21 years of tireless work, Lesley and Brian retired from leading the race and passed the torch to the organization their efforts supported.

2025 marks the first year the in-person Save the Manatee 5K will be held in Florida. While the transition marks a new chapter for the event, the mission remains the same: to raise awareness and funds to safeguard imperiled manatees and their aquatic habitat. For the inaugural race in Florida, the race will be held at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, a vital winter refuge for manatees. Additionally, the race is set for November 15, which is the first day of Manatee Season and in the middle of Manatee Awareness Month. Hosting the race at this iconic location on such a meaningful day provides an opportunity for participants to connect with the cause in a deeper way, experiencing firsthand the habitat they are helping to protect.

Endorsements

I’ve been participating virtually for the last couple of years to support this organization and all the important work they do. I’m so pumped this race is coming home to the manatees ands bringing awareness to the people who enjoy these creatures on a regular basis! Excited is an understatement!

Marley Haynes, FL

Although we live in Wales, UK, my family and I love to support Save the Manatee each year. We don’t have manatees in our country but we love to see them when we come on holiday. My son Albert is 9 and they are his favorite animal. It’s great to be able to support a charity we love from so far away and the annual walk/ run makes us feel part of it all. We look forward to receiving our race packets every year and taking part virtually on our own walk whilst still raising money to help the manatees.

Ian Closier-Hawkins, UK

My husband and I have done the virtual Save the Manatee 5K for many years. I have always loved the manatees. I have special memories of going to see them at zoos and in Florida with my parents who retired there. We are too old to run, but we enjoy doing the walk, and like to help the manatees.

Noma Conwell, CA

The manatee 5K is coming home!! I’ve done this race virtually the past few years and am excited to run locally for the manatees in their hometown.

Danielle Pandeline, FL

I’d been running distance races since 1975, and when I learned of the Save the Manatee 5K run, I pounced. This race was among the first to offer a “virtual” option, and I even ran one in France in 2011, wearing the shirt and number, greeted by our landlords’ dog, declaring to them and other fellow residents of Lapeze that I had WON. Well, in that race we were all winners, giving to a great cause. I kept running it through the years, wearing the shirts, appreciating the creative medals, following all news about manatees and holding to the most optimistic. Still do, though a lot of my running, at age 76, is walking now.

Tim Norris, CT

Special Thanks

Our Sponsors

2025 Sponsors
2025 In-Kind Sponsors

Become A Sponsor

If you're interested in sponsoring the Save the Manatee 5K or donating a raffle item to support manatee conservation, we'd love to hear from you! Please review our sponsorship packet and contact us at 5K@savethemanatee.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

View Sponsorship Opportunities