In a burst of paddling prowess, loggerhead sea turtle Eliza Ann has finished in first place in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtle migration marathon, swimming more than 1,600 miles, while her rival, Cruz, swam more than 1,500 miles.
The 15 contenders in the race established records of where sea turtles swim after they are satellite tagged.
Eliza Ann was tagged after nesting in Coquina Beach on June 19. She is sponsored by Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club in Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.