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The 11th annual Ocean Commotion 5K Run/Walk to benefit Marine Mammals of Maine is Saturday, Oct. 18, at Hermit Island Campground in Phippsburg. This is the largest fundraising event of the year in support of the nonprofit.
The in-person event will include a chip-timed running heat as well as timed and untimed walking heats and a kids fun run. Well-behaved and leashed canines are welcome to join their human companions at the event.
Weather permitting, the 5K will also feature Within the Whale, which offers the public the thrill of stepping inside a life-size, inflatable humpback whale named "Chunk" after a stranded humpback that MMoME responded to in 2024. Other activities include a raffle with prizes donated from a variety of local businesses, an interactive kids corner, grab bags for participants and educational materials about marine mammals and sea turtles.
The scenic course is full of diverse terrain and is adjacent to where many of MMoME's seal patients are released after receiving care at the organization's Brunswick facility. For more information and to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/ME/Phippsburg/OceanCommotion5kwalkrun.
Founded in 2011, MMoME is dedicated to marine mammal and sea turtle response, rescue, care, research and education. It operates a 24/7 marine mammal and sea turtle reporting hotline.
* Seals are only semi-aquatic and don't need to be wet; it's normal -- and important -- for them to come out of the water.
* Seals are easily stressed by people and dogs, even if they don't show it. Staying at least 150 feet away will help keep them safe.
* Any whale, dolphin or porpoise on the beach should be immediately reported; do not try to put it back in the water.
* Report all live and deceased seal, whale, dolphin, porpoise and sea turtle strandings in Maine to the Maine State Reporting Hotline at 1-800-532-9551.