Roundhouse Aquarium Fun Run for the Oceans Goes Virtual For 2020

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Add the Roundhouse Aquarium's 8th Annual Fun Run for the Oceans to the list of fundraisers that have gone virtual this year, in this time of COVID-19. The October 10th event is a Virtual 5K and participants can walk or run anywhere and then upload their times. The first 100 registrants will receive a limited edition T-short with a $42.95 registration fee. The $30 registration fee includes a special gift, according to the Roundhouse.

Participants may register as an individual or create a team to compete with friends and have a friendly competition amongst each other. This year, the Fun Run also includes a virtual raffle with prizes. Purchase raffle tickets when you register.

The Virtual 5K can be run anywhere; you simply upload your time to Racewire. Participants will not receive "an award or medal for finishing first, but you will be making a difference to the Roundhouse, our animals, and our students," according to a post on the Roundhouse website.

"We know these are challenging times for everyone, and The Roundhouse Aquarium is committed to doing our best to continue our education programs and support teachers and students this year, said Valerie Hill, development and science director of the Roundhouse. "So far, teachers and students have been thrilled with our Virtual Field Trip Programs, and we are hoping that the Fun Run will raise funding that we can use to do more programs for schools.

"Since our doors have been closed to the public, we've not had the opportunity to collect donations in our donation eel by the door. Those donations are typically used to help us care for and feed our animals. Our aquarists are still hard at work ensuring our animals are fed, healthy, and their tanks are clean and equipment maintained," she said. "We hope the Fun Run will generate some much needed funding to continue to provide the best care possible to our animals."

Funds raised from the Virtual Fun Run for the Oceans 5K will "help care for the marine animals at the Roundhouse Aquarium and fuel our science-based education programs that teach people of all ages about the ocean virtually through our distance learning programs or in person when we can welcome you back in the aquarium," said the Roundhouse in a news release on the Fun Run.

Said Hill, "This is our first ever all-virtual event! While we are going to miss seeing everyone down on the sand, we're really excited to still be able to host our amazing raffle virtually, and celebrate the Fun Run with the community online. This event always has such great energy from the participants, and we can't wait to see that come through virtually."

There are some 23 raffle prizes lined up so far, including a gift card to Simms Restaurants, gift card to Lemonade, VIP passes for 2 at The Broad Museum, gift card to REI, a wine basket, bike rental for 2 from Hermosa Cyclery, USS Midway passes for 4, and more. Raffle tickets cost $10 each or 6 for $50 and can be purchased online now.

To register for the 8th Annual Fun Run for the Oceans Virtual 5K, go online. For more information on the event, contact val@roundhouseaquarium.org or call (310) 379-8117.