GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Grab those running shoes! The Florida Museum of Natural History will once again hold its annual 5K race in person March 26, after two years of fully virtual races.

The race will start at 8 a.m., and the course will consist of a combination of trails in the UF Natural Area Teaching Laboratory as well as newly built campus roads. This partially new route will give runners the chance to experience a running path with different scenery.

Medals
Participants will receive a custom medal, themed for the museum’s upcoming “Science Up Close: Fantastic Fossils” exhibit, for their participation in the 5K. ©Florida Museum/Kristen Grace

“Newly included campus roads for this year are Citrus Road and Ballpark Way,” said Florida Museum volunteer coordinator Amy Hester. “This route will give participants a great experience on the trails, as well as an up-close look of the new baseball stadium as they run by.”

This year’s theme is fossils and will be spotlighting the museum’s exciting new exhibit, “Science Up Close: Fantastic Fossils,” opening April 2.

All ages and skill levels may compete in the race. For those located outside of Gainesville, the museum will continue to offer a virtual option.

“We’ve kept the virtual option so folks who joined us from all over the country last year can still participate, as well as those who aren’t comfortable being in crowds quite yet,” Hester said. “All runners, virtual and in person, can expect a fantastic shirt and medal with a great new design.”

Virtual participants can complete the 5K anywhere. Submissions for those who participate remotely are due, March 26.

Registration for in-person racers is $25 before Feb. 22 and $30 after Feb. 22. For virtual participants, registration is $30.

For in-person racers, race packet pick up will be March 25 and before the race March 26. Race packets for virtual participants will be mailed out the week of March 28.

All registrants will receive a coupon good for one entry into “Fantastic Fossils” between April 2 to April 30. For non-race participants, admission to the exhibit is $7 for adults; $6.50 for Florida residents, seniors and college students; $4.50 for ages 3 to 17; and free to museum members and UF students with a valid Gator 1 card.

For more information or to register, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/5k.

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Writer: Juliana Ortiz, PRIntern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Amy Hester, ahester@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Kaitlin Gardiner, kgardiner@floridamuseum.ufl.edu