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Last chance for early bird tix to annual Raptor Run 5K at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

Last chance for early bird tix to annual Raptor Run 5K at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

People gathered in a nature preserve

A 5k run through stunning Boyd Hill, called “Raptor Run,” is back for its 8th year, taking place Saturday, December 2. The annual run is hosted by St. Pete Strength Center (formerly Anytime Fitness DTSP) and Peli Productions, bringing a beautiful race along a marked trail through one of St. Pete’s most incredible natural wonders.

Early bird registration for the race is now open, only $35 through October 31, and to add some trick-or-treat fun, runners can get 15% off tickets with the code “Halloween” through the end of the day Wednesday, October 31. Raptor Run is limited to 200 participants in order to preserve the nature trails, and spots often sell out well in advance. Children under 8 years of age are welcome to attend for free.

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An owl at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

With registration, runners receive an exclusive, locally designed and printed 2023 Raptor Run long sleeved dry-fit shirt featuring the screech owl—a bird you can encounter firsthand at Boyd Hill as part of their Birds of Prey Program and a native resident of Florida’s remarkable ecosystems.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve originally began its life as a zoo and botanical garden for the city of St. Petersburg. It has since evolved over the decades into a mosaic of natural habitats and wild tropical landscapes along the shores of Lake Maggiore.

Raptor Run gives you the ultimate Boyd Hill Experience

From the outer 5k marked Main Trail, there are five side trails (mostly loops) showcasing specific habitats: the Swamp Woodlands Trail, Willow Marsh Trail, Lake Maggiore Trail, Scrub Island Trail, and Pine Flatwoods Trail. Enjoy the immersion into each habitat on the side trails, and the amusing giant armadillos along Wax Myrtle Pond. 

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The beautiful marked race trail is ready for you to walk, run, or even crawl at your own pace. This not-for-profit run will directly benefit Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and The Friends of Boyd’s Raptor Fest, which provides funding for their essential Birds of Prey Program.

This Raptor Fest will have an emphasis on scavengers. Raptor Fest allows Friends of Boyd Hill to continue its support of the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Birds of Prey program. This important program not only provides a forever home for non-releasable native birds of prey; it educates thousands of residents and visitors each year about the need to protect these incredible animals that are so important to our ecosystem. Your donations and sponsorships go directly to the care and feeding of the birds, and the resources to offer outreach and education programs with them.  

Last year, the City of St. Petersburg’s Parks and Recreation Department completed new enhancement projects at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, including the opening of the new Terry Tomalin Campground, a 12-site primitive public camping area

These projects at the City’s 245-acre nature preserve and recreation and education center will help serve the City’s vision to educate and inspire youth and adults to become advocates for nature, sustainable practices and conservation.

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