This is a community announcement from a community organization. It was not written by The Ithaca Voice. To submit community announcements, email tips@ithacavoice.com.

ITHACA, N.Y. — On Saturday, April 21st, beginning at 10 a.m., Ithaca Children’s Garden will host its 6th annual Tough Turtle 5k. This is the Finger Lakes Region’s premier adventure obstacle race.  You don’t want to miss it!

Since the first Tough Turtle crossed the finish line in 2013, racers have raised over $250,000 for the Garden – that’s $50,000 each year! This directly impacts the Ithaca Children’s Gardens ability to maintain a high level of accessibility to insure the Garden is free and open to all, year round.  This is only possible through the generous support of our community and event sponsors.

A shout out to our Title Sponsor: CFCU Community Credit Union. CFCU is  a pillar in the community and has generously acted as the race’s title sponsor since 2015.  Look for their banner race day and thank them.

Presenting Sponsors this year include:  Bangs Ambulance Inc, Ithaca Bakery, and C.S.P. Management. Their support helps  us with the zillion little details needed to make race day fabulous.

Ever wonder who to thank for those awesome obstacles?  Or blame??!! Paddle-n-More, Elmore Enterprises, Iron Design, Cayuga Medical Center, Purity Ice Cream, Finger Lakes Re-Use, Maguire Automotive, and Borg Warner are all sponsoring obstacles for the race.

Additional support is offered by Cinemapolis, Howard Hanna, Miller Mayer, and Boatyard Grill.  We thank them for their wonderful support.

Tough Turtle Junior Race, a child sized version of the race held within the Garden limits is generously sponsored by Home Depot.

Tough Turtle would not be possible without our sponsors or community members, like yourself.  Please consider registering today. Adult racers contribute $65/each and racers aged 16 and under contribute $35.  Tough Turtle Junior registration is $10 for one run and $20 for unlimited runs plus a t-shirt. Racers can also fund raise through our website to increase their impact and further support the Garden.

All funds raised go directly to supporting ICG’s mission of cultivating environmental stewardship, by getting kids outside, having fun and making meaningful connections with the natural world.  Read what visitors have said about the garden:

“This place makes me want to cry tears of joy!”

“This place is the funnest place ever!”

“I got great pictures!”

“Better than DisneyLand!”

“A great place for children and adults who have forgotten how to be a child. C’est tres belle!”

Register for the race today and give back to the Garden that gives so much to its community! For more information about Ithaca Children’s Garden and the Tough Turtle, visit www.toughturtleithaca.com. Any additional questions about the race may be directed to Vinny Cappadora at eventdirector@toughturtleithaca.com.

All photos used courtesy of Jeffrey Foote Photography. 

Jolene Almendarez is Managing Editor at The Ithaca Voice. She can be reached at jalmendarez@ithacavoice.com; you can learn more about her at the links in the top right of this box.