The Raptor Run, a cherished 5K event, returns for its ninth year on Saturday, December 14 at 8 a.m., taking participants through the picturesque Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Organized by St. Pete Strength Center (formerly Anytime Fitness DTSP) and Peli Productions, this annual race offers a scenic, marked trail through one of St. Pete’s most renowned natural preserves along Lake Maggiore.
Early bird registration is available at $40 until November 13, after which the fee increases to $50. To preserve the trails, the race is capped at 200 participants, and spots fill up quickly. Children under 8 can participate for free. Registrants will receive a specially designed 2024 Raptor Run long-sleeved dry-fit shirt featuring the short-tailed hawk, a native bird highlighted in Boyd Hill’s Birds of Prey Program.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, originally a zoo and botanical garden for St. Petersburg, has transformed into a diverse collection of natural habitats celebrating Florida’s rich ecology. The main 5K marked trail is complemented by five side trails—Swamp Woodlands Trail, Willow Marsh Trail, Lake Maggiore Trail, Scrub Island Trail, and Pine Flatwoods Trail—each offering unique habitats and sights, such as the giant armadillos near Wax Myrtle Pond.
Participants can walk, run, or crawl the marked race trail at their own pace. This non-profit event supports Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and The Friends of Boyd’s Raptor Fest, which funds the Birds of Prey program. This vital program provides a permanent home for non-releasable native birds of prey and educates thousands of visitors annually on their ecological importance.
Raptor Fest emphasizes scavenger birds, supporting their care, feeding, and educational outreach to promote conservation efforts. Donations and sponsorships directly benefit the birds' care and community conservation initiatives.
Recently, the City of St. Petersburg’s Parks and Recreation Department completed enhancements at Boyd Hill, including the new Terry Tomalin Campground, a 12-site primitive camping area. These improvements support St. Petersburg’s mission to educate and inspire conservation awareness among both youth and adults.
