Several mascots from Sarasota and Manatee county organizations will run a short race down the Siesta Key beach to generate publicity for Mote Marine Laboratory’s upcoming 30^{th a}nnual Run for the Turtles, a fundraiser for sea turtle conservation and research. The promo race begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Siesta Public Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota. The race will take place on a short stretch of beach marked off by Mote just west of the Siesta Beach concession areas. Run for the Turtles, meanwhile, takes place on April 2. The 5K, 1-mile run is Mote’s longest-standing fundraiser and supports Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, which coordinates conservation of endangered sea turtles along 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches.