Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees
- Date
- December 12, 2026
- Distance
- 5K · Virtual 5K
From the Organizer
Are you a fan-atee?
That’s what we call people who love manatees as much as we do!
You can help us keep those manatees well-fed and happy!
Tampa Electric's 2026 Run for the Manatees 5K will be EXTRA SPECIAL – because we’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of our Manatee Viewing Center!
The route will pass by the Manatee Viewing Center, the cornerstone of Tampa Electric's Florida Conservation & Technology Center (FCTC), and wind through the gorgeous trails on the FCTC campus. Best of all, the unique run will raise awareness and support for Tampa Electric’s manatee conservation efforts by supporting the manatee research program within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Sat., December 12, 2026
Florida Conservation and Technology Center (FCTC)
321 Noonan Branch Rd
Apollo Beach, FL 33572
The FCTC campus is just south of the Manatee Viewing Center, right off of Dickman Rd.
Due to limited parking, please consider carpooling!
Race Day Timeline:
6:30 am Race Day Bib Pick-Up Opens
(Race day registration is NOT available)
7:40 am Pre-Race Announcements
8:00 am 5K Starts
9:00 am Awards
Each person participating in the event, whether running or walking, must be wearing a
2026 race bib that was distributed at pre-race pick up or race morning check in!
Virtual registrants will NOT be joining the in-person event on race day!
Event shirt & finisher medal for Virtual participants will be mailed via USPS to the address submitted during registration, the week following the race!
Bibs, shirts, & finisher medals for in-person participants not picked up on race morning will not be mailed!
Due to the nature of our facility, pets of any kind are NOT permitted on-site!
Awards presented to 1st place male & female finishers in the following age groups: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Please check the Frequently Asked Questions link located in the menu above for more info!
After the race, feel free to explore the FCTC campus! It’s a showcase for three champions of the environment: Tampa Electric, the Florida Aquarium and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Learn more at www.tampaelectric.com/fctc
Proceeds from race registrations will be donated to The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commision.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
75°
Typical Low
54°
Chance of Rain
21%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Tampa Bay Area Wfo, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Apollo Beach, FL
Elevation
5 ft
Nearest Airport
TPA
Tampa International Airport · 16 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
187
Days to train
- Race
- Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees
- Date
- December 12, 2026
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees?
- Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees is a running race held in Apollo Beach, Florida on December 12, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees?
- Saturday, December 12, 2026 in Apollo Beach, Florida at Florida Conservation and Technology Center (FCTC), Apollo Beach, FL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees
Dec 12, 2026