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6th Annual Otter Trotter 5K & Fun Run
Date and Time
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Registration and Packet Pickup - 4pm - 5pm
Race begins at 5:30pm
Fun Run begins at 5:40pm
Location
Mississippi Aquarium
Contact Information
Maria Forero | Special Events and Promotions Manager, Mississippi Aquarium
Send Email
Description
Hit me with your best trot!
Join Bayou the Otter the day before Thanksgiving, November 26, 2025 for the 6th Annual Otter Trotter 5K and Fun Run.
The 5K will begin and end at the Mississippi Aquarium with a route through Gulfport Harbor Lights in Jones Park and an exclusive sneak preview of the nighttime Christmas offerings at Mississippi Aquarium presented by Gulfport Coca-Cola Bottling Company, UNITED.
The race begins at 5:30PM at the Aquarium Plaza. The fun run begins at 5:40PM. Come early for the opening festivities at 5:00PM.
The Aquarium will have Aquatic Wonders and Changing Tides open for race participants, fun run participants, and spectators to explore until 8pm and there will be previews of the all the SEAsonal magic!
The 5K will begin and end at the Mississippi Aquarium with a route through Gulfport Harbor Lights in Jones Park and an exclusive sneak preview of the nighttime Christmas offerings at Mississippi Aquarium presented by Gulfport Coca-Cola Bottling Company, UNITED.
The race begins at 5:30PM at the Aquarium Plaza. The fun run begins at 5:40PM. Come early for the opening festivities at 5:00PM.
The Aquarium will have Aquatic Wonders and Changing Tides open for race participants, fun run participants, and spectators to explore until 8pm and there will be previews of the all the SEAsonal magic!
Mississippi Aquarium will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025 and will reopen on Friday, November 28, 2025 at 10:00AM.
Become a part of our family and create a NEW tradition with us at the nighttime Otter Trotter 5K and Fun Run! Come for the run, stay for the show!
Fun Run Decorating Contest
Get started decorations those strollers and wagons for our special Fun Run contest! Decorations should be in the theme of Otters or Christmas! Fun prizes will be awarded to each of the category winners.
- On the date of the event, visit or registration table by 5:00PM to submit your contest entry.
- Guest Judges will be on the site to determine our winners!
- Three categories will be awarded: Best Use of the Theme, Most Elaborate, and Honorable Mention.
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Registration Information
Registration INCLUDES admission to the aquarium for the evening show!
*Ages 5 and under are not required to pay 5k registration. However, a spectator, non-runner ticket will need to be purchased for children ages 3-5 for Aquarium admission.- Guests of race participants are required to pre-purchase a spectator ticket in order to enter campus during and post-race. Spectator tickets can be added during the registration process at checkout and are discounted. The day of the race will be the regular admission price.
- For participants that register after November 7, event t-shirt sizes are not guaranteed but we will do the best we can to get you in your desired size.
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What 5K Runners Get
- Run Registration (Including Bib and Medal!)
- T-shirt (New Design & Color)
- Admission to the Mississippi Aquarium after hours to experience Aquatic Wonders and Changing Tides
- Exclusive Preview of the Mississippi Aquarium SEAsonal offerings!
- A sneak peek of Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival
What FUN Runners Get
- FUN Run Registration (Although this level DOES NOT receive a bib or medal, you will gain lots of memories and we will have plenty of high fives to hand out!)
- T-shirt (New Design & Color)
- Admission to the Mississippi Aquarium after hours to experience Aquatic Wonders and Changing Tides
- Exclusive Preview of the Mississippi Aquarium SEAsonal offerings!
- A sneak peek of Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival
What Spectators Get
- Admission to the Mississippi Aquarium after hours to experience Aquatic Wonders and Changing Tides
- Exclusive Preview of the Mississippi Aquarium SEAsonal offerings!
Packet Pickup Times
- Saturday, November 22 from 10am-5pm at Ticketing.
- Monday, November 24 from 5pm-7pm at Ticketing Plaza
- Wednesday, November 26 for Day of registration and packet pickup will be available 4:00PM – 5:00PM at Ticketing
This event is supported by JA of Gulfport.
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Race Day Schedule
- 4:00PM-5:00PM Packet Pickup and Day of registration.
- 5:00PM Pre-race festivities
- 5:30PM 5K Race Begins & Aquarium Opens
- 5:40PM Fun Run Begins
- 6:45PM Post Race Awards
- 7:00PM Course Closes
- 8:00PM Aquarium Closes
5K Route Info
STARTING LINE: Mississippi Aquarium & CTA Trolly Tram Bridge
FINISH LINE: Mississippi Aquarium Entry Plaza
RACE START TIME: 5:30PM
*The route has been changed for this all-new nighttime experience!
FINISH LINE: Mississippi Aquarium Entry Plaza
RACE START TIME: 5:30PM
*The route has been changed for this all-new nighttime experience!
Fun Run Route Info
Participants will line up following the start of the 5K.
STARTING LINE: Mississippi Aquarium & CTA Trolly Tram Bridge
FINISH LINE: Mississippi Aquarium Entry Plaza
RACE START TIME: 5:40PM
STARTING LINE: Mississippi Aquarium & CTA Trolly Tram Bridge
FINISH LINE: Mississippi Aquarium Entry Plaza
RACE START TIME: 5:40PM
