ADVENTURE RACERS PADDLE AND RUN IN SUPPORT OF CONSERVATION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 24, 2014

CONTACT: Renee Wilson, renee.wilson@dep.state.fl.us, 239-530-5958

ADVENTURE RACERS PADDLE AND RUN IN SUPPORT OF CONSERVATION

~Nearly 70 participate in fifth annual event at Rookery Bay~

Adventure Race

NAPLES — The Rookery Bay Adventure Race, held on Nov. 22, engaged nearly 70 men and women in a 3K kayak along Henderson Creek and a 4K trail run on the Snail Trail at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. The event was sponsored by Up A Creek Kayak Tours, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Rookery Bay, the citizen support organization for the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. 

“It is so rewarding to see participation in this event grow over the years,” said Sarah Falkowski, Rookery Bay Reserve education coordinator and event participant. “The growth of the event represents an increased awareness in the importance of the work we do here at the reserve.” 

Susan Cone, owner of Up A Creek Kayak Tours and former educator for the reserve, envisioned this event in 2007 when plans were first being laid for the Snail Trail. 

"I thought offering an athletic event would cast a wider net and introduce some new visitors to the reserve who might otherwise be unaware of the beauty and value of our coastal resources," she said. 

Cone presented awards to the top three finishers in each category: men, women, relays and tandem kayakers. A total of 12 awards were given out. Prizes went to first, second and third place winners in the men's individual and women's individual categories, as well as first place winners in the relay male, relay female, relay mixed, tandem team female, tandem team mixed and surf ski mixed categories.

First place winners for the individual categories were Mark Gilbert and Lisa Lee. For a complete list of all category winners, click here

All participants received a T-shirt, post-race refreshments and free admission to the Environmental Learning Center. Nearly $3,000 was raised during this event. 

The Friends of Rookery Bay supports fisheries research and habitat restoration efforts underway within the 110,000-acre Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. For more information about the reserve, visit www.rookerybay.org.