2023 Race For the Planet

2023 Race for the Planet

Presented by JeFF Gordon Chevrolet

Thanks to overwhelming support, the in-person race is sold out!
Sunday, April 23, 8 a.m.
Three GREAT RACE OPTIONS 
IN-PERSON 5K: 8 A.M.(s0LD OUT)

1 Mile - 
8:15 a.m. (SOLD OUT)


Let's BRING TOGETHER 10K FOR THE 5K!

Run from anywhere on Earth!

Virtual 5k: April 24-30

Sponsor

Register to Run

 

cost

jAN. 23- mARCH 23 - $37
mARCH 24 - APRIL 20 - $42
APRIL 21 and  APRIL 22 - $45
NC Aquarium members receive 10% discount.

race information

Course Map 
FAQ

2022 results

registration includes

Runners and walkers receive:  Race-day admission to the Aquarium, a sustainabili-TEE (guaranteed to the first 250), and the top three finishers (overall and age group) receive eco-friendly medals. 

 

   

               

       

                                                                  

                                   

                                       

Sunrise Broadcasting40 UnivisionWWAY 3  

NC Aquarium Society Logo

race shirt

Sustainabili-TEE included with your registration.  100% organic cotton shirt
OR 
Skip the T-shirt option

Have enough T shirts to last a lifetime? Check the NO SHIRT option under T-shirt size and donate $10 of your registration fee to the Aquarium. Your thoughtful action helps us take greater action for the planet, reducing the carbon footprint of the event and expand programs for single-use plastic, hard-to-recycle materials, and organic waste composting.

Think Green

Participate in the Recycling Drive at Race for the Planet

MOBILE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE & ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DRIVE*
We will collect the following items:  

●     Acids (bowl cleaners, driveway cleaners, etc.)

●     Aerosols

●     Antifreeze

●     Ballasts

●     Batteries – including alkaline, zinc-carbon, zinc-air, lithium, sealed lead-acid, and any type of rechargeable battery (NiMH, Ni-Cad, Li-Ion, etc.)

●     Caustics (drain cleaners, lye, borax)

●     CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes

●     Cell phones (including chargers, batteries, and ear buds)

●     Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), Tubes and Bulbs from residential properties only (Maximum 8′ length on CFL tubes)

●     Cooking Oil

●     Electronics-if it has an electrical cord or runs off batteries, we’ll take it!  

●     Fertilizers – solid or liquid

●     Flammable Liquids

●     Fuels*

●     Gel Fuels (like Sterno)

●     Herbicides / Fungicides (weed killer, ground clear)

●     Household Cleaners (bleach, ammonia, tile/grout cleaners, glass cleaner, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners, etc.)

●     Mercury Thermostats and Thermometers

●     Motor Oil and Oil Filters

●     Paint – latex and oil-based)

●     Pesticides – solid or liquid

●     Sharps (needles)

●     Solvents (degreasers, parts cleaners, paint thinners)

●     Stains, varnishes, and sealers

*The Aquarium team takes the items to New Hanover County Recycling & Solid Waste for proper disposal. 

Learn more about the New Hanover County Recycling & Solid Waste and the HazWagon

Reuse Your Race Bib Safety Pins
Bring Your Own Reusable Water Bottle to the Race

Discarded plastic water bottles have a devastating effect on the environment. Because plastic does not biodegrade well, the plastic bottles we throw away tend to stay in the environment year after year, decade after decade, through several human generations.

Carpool to the Race

Carpooling is a win-win! It saves you money on gas and it is great for the environment. 

Skip the Straw

Each year, people in the US use enough straws to wrap around the earth 2.5 times. Straws are easily carried by the wind leading them to litter our beaches, oceans and waterways. Straws are one of the top 5 items found during beach sweeps in the US.

Turn it Off

Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of electricity use in office buildings. Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more. Same goes for electronics; switch off power strips and unplug electrical devices when you're not using them.

Dial it Down

Moving your thermostat down just two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

SHOES FOR ECHO HAITI

If you are cleaning out your closets, please bring any gently used shoes.  They can be any type of shoe, just no shoes beyond usefulness. Kids shoes, adult shoes, fashion shoes, etc.   These shoes will benefit an orphanage and school in Haiti.  

awards

5K - 3 Deep Awards in the Following Categories: 

Overall Male and Female

Masters Male and Female 

10 and under, 11-15, 16 -19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70+

1 Mile Awards - 

Top 3 Male and Female

BE A RACE FOR THE PLANET PACESETTER

Sponsorship Levels Still Available 
Tidal Sponsor $2,000 (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Thank you Jeff Gordon Chevrolet!
  • Presenting Sponsor with logo on race day bibs
  • Logo on Race-day Sustainabili-tee
  • Booth at Race
  • Company on NC Aquarium Donation Wall
  • Race Packet Stuffer & Logo on Race Website
  • Recognition on NCAFF Race for the Planet social media, racer email blasts and website
  • Five Complimentary Race Entries
Suncatcher Sponsor $1,000 (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Thank you Cape Fear Solar Systems!
  • Booth at Race
  • Company on NC Aquarium Donation Wall
  • Race Packet Stuffer & Logo on Race Website & Suncatcher Lanyard
  • Logo on Race-day Sustainabili-tee
  • Recognition on NCAFF Race for the Planet social media, racer email blasts and website
  • Four Complimentary Race Entries
PHOTO OP SPONSOR $1,000 (LIMIT 1 BOAT OR VEHICLE)
  • Boat, Car or Truck on Race Route with Company logo
  • Company on NC Aquarium Donation Wall
  • Race Packet Stuffer & Logo on Race Website
  • Logo on Race-day Sustainabili-tee
  • Recognition on NCAFF Race for the Planet social media, racer email blasts and website
  • Four Complimentary Race Entries
RACE PACKET SPONSOR $750 & $1/BEVERAGE SOLD (1 AVAILABLE)
Thank you Fleet Feet Wilmington!
  • Booth at Race
  • Official packet pickup location & kickoff party
  • Company on NC Aquarium Donation Wall
  • Race Packet Stuffer & Logo on Race Website
  • Recognition on NCAFF Race for the Planet social media, racer email blasts and website
  • Three Complimentary Race Entries
PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR $750 (1 AVAILABLE)
Thank you Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry!
  • Logo on Race Photo Booth Frame
  • Company on NC Aquarium Donation Wall
  • Race Packet Stuffer & Logo on Race Website
  • Recognition on NCAFF Race for the Planet social media, racer email blasts and website
  • Three Complimentary Race Entries
CORAL SPONSOR $500 (NO LIMIT)
THANK YOU Malama Cafe,  Pinpoint Properties,  Clancy & Theys Construction company, JERSEY MIKE'S and icon electric vehicles!
  • Booth at Race
  • Company on NC Aquarium Donation Wall
  • Company name on Race-day Sustainabili-TEE
  • Race Packet Stuffer & Logo on Race Website
  • Recognition on NCAFF Race for the Planet social media, racer email blasts and website
  • Three Complimentary Race Entries
KILOMETER SPONSOR $300 (limit 4)
  • Company on NC Aquarium Donation Wall
  • Race Packet Stuffer & Logo on Race Website
  • Recognition on NCAFF Race for the Planet social media, racer email blasts and website
  • Staked sign with logo at Kilometer mark on racecourse
  • Two Complimentary Race Entries
MEDIA SPONSORS
THANK YOU WWAY TV 3 and Sunrise Broadcasting!

Welcome Sponsors

Race for the Planet is the signature Earth Day fundraiser for the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) on April 23, 2023 with all proceeds supporting the Green Team and their sustainability initiatives. We welcomed nearly 400 racers to the Aquarium in 2022—our largest event to date. Another 60 racers joined us virtually. Your sponsorship sets the pace for a greener planet and sets you apart as a supporter of sustainability. 

 
We Welcome You as a sponsor for the 2023 Race for the Planet April 23


Your signed agreement and payment are required by Feb. 28. 2023 to get your logo and/or name on the Race for the Planet promotions. The earlier that you submit the signed agreement and payment, the more opportunities your business or organization will have for publicity, as this race will be marketed at every opportunity. We are grateful for your sponsorship and look forward to partnering with you for this event.

Green Team

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Green Team leads by example through strategizing and implementing sustainability initiatives that are in sync with the Aquarium's goals to achieve carbon neutrality.

Successes

For more than a decade, the Green Team has leveraged partners in conservation and worked with vendors to successfully enhance and expand sustainability initiatives at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Looking to the Future

From solar lights in the parking lot to electric vehicle charging stations, the NCAFF Green Team is energized to continue to lead the way toward a more sustainable Aquarium.