The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s second annual Shark Challenge Run/Walk/Swim/Bike/Paddle event takes place from June 21 through 27.
Runners, walkers, bikers, swimmers and paddle boarders help support shark and ocean conservation by enduring a week of activity. Registered participants who complete one of the five distance events will get a chance to name a tagged white shark; win an autographed copy of “The Shark Handbook” authored by the state’s top shark research scientist, Dr. Greg Skomal; or land shark-themed swag.
To participate, entrants register with a tax deductible, $60 donation to the AWSC. Each participant will be given an event T-shirt. Once the participant completes his or her distance, they can submit their name and distance via email to sharkchallenge@atlanticwhiteshark.org to be entered into the opportunity drawing for raffle prizes.
“We’ve established a fun and challenging event to encourage an uptick in human activity while helping to conserve the health of our ocean. Just as exercise is an important part of being a healthy person, sharks are vital for the health of our marine eco-system,” said AWSC CEO Cynthia Wigren. “While a white shark can cover over 70 miles in a single day, we wanted to create five different distances to make this accessible to as many people as possible. That way registered participants can pick whatever distance best suits them.”
There are five distances options, either of which can be done in a day or over the course of the week:
- Shark Pup – 10 miles
- Tiger Shark – 15 miles
- Hammerhead Shark – Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Mako Shark – 50 miles
- Great White Shark – Iron Distance (Swim 2.4, Bike 112, and run 26.2 miles)
Since 2013, AWSC has worked in collaboration with shark science experts, community partners, public and government officials, researchers, donors, friends and followers to augment scientific research, improve factors that affect public safety, and educate both the local and broader community to inspire a greater understanding of white sharks and conservation of the species.
To register for the Shark Challenge visit www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/shark-challenge and click the “register” button.
