Note Posted Monday, 4/15, at 8:53 p.m.
We are relieved to report that all members of the New England Aquarium Marathon Team are safe. Our thoughts and hearts go out to the runners, families and fans affected by the horrible events of Monday, April 15.

This Monday, thousands of runners will line up in Hopkinton to sprint, run, jog and shuffle their way to the finish line of the Boston Marathon in Copley Square. Here at the Aquarium, we'll be routing for a very special bunch of runners in the pack: the New England Aquarium Marathon Team! These runners have been training for months now and here's their opportunity to put those miles of training runs to the test.

Members of the New England Aquarium Marathon Team before a 20-mile training run

Besides putting in the miles, entry onto this special team came with a commitment to the next generation of ocean stewards. You see, each of these runners pledged to raise money for the Aquarium's outreach programs, which connect with 47,000 children in diverse communities and schools throughout the Boston area each year.

Now that's dedication: Aquarium diver and marathon team coach, Chris, on one of the team's snowy training runs.

The Aquarium's traveling outreach programs visit schools, afterschool programs and community centers. During School Programs, Aquarium educators present scientific information in fun, interactive and effective ways, supporting classroom learning while inspiring a fascination for marine life. With a focus on serving local children and families, our Community Programs are offered free of charge in underserved neighborhoods and admissions passes are available for groups to visit the Aquarium. The Aquarium’s outreach programs provide what is often the first opportunity for children to experience marine animals. Participants discover how these animals relate to their own lives and the simple things they can do to protect the oceans.


So here's a simple shout-out to our runners:
Thank you for your dedication, for your blisters and sore muscles, for your creative fundraising and concern for our blue planet, and most importantly thank you for your help inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards through our outreach programs. live blue™ and run hard!


Look for the Aquarium runners on the course tomorrow with blue shirts. See pictures and video of two of our runners giving high-fives to our harbor seal Reggae!