The Biggest & Best Year Yet- Tip Top Run 2023

Our annual Tip Top Run, hosted on March 18th, 2023, was the most exciting 5K/10K Fun Run of the year. The theme for the event was St. Patrick's Day, which gave runners an opportunity to show off their festive spirit and creativity!

500+ participants were treated to a scenic course that took them through some of the most beautiful parts of Carlsbad and offered up many a panoramic view. The runs started at 8:30 am, and runners of all ages and abilities gathered at both the 5K and 10K starting lines, eager to get moving. The atmosphere was electric, with the sound of cheering and high-fives filling the air.

The event was not just about running, but also about celebrating World Water Day, which falls on March 22nd every year. To commemorate the occasion, the finish line was transformed into a vibrant festival that showcased the importance of water conservation and sustainability. With over 25 vendors and exhibitors, Endless Blue on the mic, costume contests, a Raptor Presentation, and raffle drawings, it was quite the celebration!

Food and refreshments were provided by Tip Top Meats and Culver Beer! We were lucky to be able to honor the late great John Haedrich (Founder of Tip Top Meats) and everything he has done to support the community at the event. AHLF will also be planting a tree in his honor on Arbor Day to commemorate his amazing generosity. Tip Top Meats provided delicious and healthy food options that runners could enjoy after the race. Culver Beer came out for the second year in a row to support this incredible event providing refreshing beer that helped runners relax and unwind after the race.

Tip Top Run was more than just a fun run; it was an opportunity for the community to come together and support a great cause. The event was a success, and all proceeds went towards supporting water conservation efforts for the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and the Discovery Center’s education programs teaching our youngsters about the importance of our watershed.

In conclusion, the Tip Top Run was a memorable event that brought together people from all walks of life to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, World Water Day, support a great cause, and enjoy a healthy and fun activity. With a beautiful course, delicious food, and refreshing beer, it was an event that runners and non-runners alike will not soon forget.

Special Thank You To:

Poseidon Water – Event Sponsor

Tip Top Meats- Food

Culver Beer- Beer

Kathy Kinane- Finish Line

Lynnell Talone-Honda- Bib Sponsor

Rayne Water- Water Station

Eco Water- Water Station

Maureen Simons- Tip Top Run Committee Chair and décor

The Crossings- Bathroom access

Premier Kia of Carlsbad- Letting us host a water station at their location

Mike Metts- Finish Line banner

Harini Natarajan “Rinis Photography”- Beautiful photos

Our Vendors and Exhibitioners

Every volunteer that not only helped the day of but also the weeks beforehand

The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Team

share this

Related Articles

Annual Members Meeting and Discovery Island Ribbon Cutting Recap

October 20, 2026
Members Make It Happen On Saturday, October 17, members of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation gathered at the Discovery Campus for our Annual Members Meeting and the official ribbon cutting of Discovery Island. Thirty two voting memberships were represented as we ratified, re-elected and elected our Board of Directors, celebrated a year of impact, and looked ahead to what comes next for the lagoon and the people who love it. Thank you to Señor Grubby’s for providing the breakfast bar and to Peak Dentistry, our Campus Coffee Sponsor. Our 2026 Board of Directors Members voted on the following board members: Ratified: Laurie Gonzalez, Anne Master, Christina Nichols, Ray Pearson and Mike Stoliker Re-elected: Frank Ortega and Taylor Sais Newly elected: Jenna Dotson and Michael Metts We extended a heartfelt thank you to Julie Gibbs for her two years of leadership as Chairwoman. Julie continues on the board as our Immediate Past Chairwoman. We also welcomed our new executive slate: Chair: Frank Ortega (previously Vice Chair) Vice Chair: Michael Metts Treasurer: Steve Baker (returning) Secretary: Vinit Ahooja (returning) A Year of Impact and a Look Ahead Members reviewed our Annual Impact 2026 report , then turned to the future of our educational programs and our niche: exceptional environmental education. A few highlights: Accreditation: Our certification with the American Camp Association is in process. Little Agua Learners: We are assembling our licensing documents for the Little Agua Learners Licensed Preschool. City designation: We received a designation letter from the City of Carlsbad expanding our business classification from travel serving visitor commercial and gift shop to include education. Fire safety: We completed the fire inspection updates required for licensing. The David C. Copley Foundation: We were invited to apply for the foundation’s invitation only grant in January. Nordson: Big cheers to Nordson for supporting our Academy for Environmental Stewardship with $25,000, and for their partnership with us throughout the year. Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians: The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians has made a three year commitment at the $5,000 Community Partnership level. California Climate Action Corps: AHLF is proud to be a host site for the California Climate Action Corps, a State of California program. We welcomed a new fellow for the year and look forward to welcoming a winter fellow in January. Thank you to the many community partners who make our work possible. Celebrating Our Board Rookie of the Year: Anne Master. Anne jumped in from day one. She has shown up to every event and took on the review and editing of our bylaws. The updated bylaws are now available on our website . Board Member of the Year: Frank Ortega. Frank volunteers twice a week on campus and on the trails, and no job is too dirty for him. One moment stands out: on one of the hottest days of the year, Frank helped carry a refrigerator up 17 flights of stairs. All in the name of service. Thank you, Frank! Discovery Island Is Officially Open The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce joined us to cut the ribbon on Discovery Island, our newest exhibit space at the Discovery Campus. We were honored to receive a proclamation from Senator Catherine Blakespear’s office marking the occasion. Kent Zapata shared remarks as we officially announced the opening. Kent is supporting one of Discovery Island’s featured exhibits, Jennifer Muller’s Water Lab, with a pledge of $5,000 a year for two years. The Water Lab honors the memory of Jennifer Muller, whose passion for clean water and STEM education continues to inspire young engineers, scientists and environmental warriors. The Water Lab will be an interactive water station where visitors and students watch water move through different substrates. It will also host Watershed Wednesday talks as part of our Discover and Learn series. 

2026 Gala Recap

September 9, 2026
200 guests. One beautiful setting. An incredible community. 

Avian Adventure Day 2026 Recap

June 29, 2026
Bright and early on Sunday morning, more than 90 people gathered with binoculars and coffee in hand for a morning of birding, learning, and adventure. Participants of all ages kicked off the day with local birding experts Bobby Brett and Rick Grove, who introduced the basics of birdwatching before leading groups along the Discovery Trail and throughout the Discovery Campus. Along the way, guests spotted native birds, learned fascinating bird facts, and took turns viewing wildlife through high-powered spotting scopes. After a quick coffee refill, attendees gathered on beautiful Newell's Terrace for an unforgettable presentation by Hillary Hankey, founder of Avian Behavior Conservancy. Hillary and her team introduced four incredible avian ambassadors—the Swainson's Hawk, White-faced Owl, King Vulture, and White-necked Raven—giving guests the rare opportunity to see these remarkable birds up close while learning about their behaviors, adaptations, and conservation. The undeniable star of the show was the mischievous White-necked Raven, whose playful antics and impressive tricks had the audience laughing throughout the presentation. Following the program, guests met the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation's Raptor Specialists and interns while getting an up-close look at the birds of prey that call the Discovery Campus home. With a hands-on craft station for children, beautiful weather, and a meaningful way to celebrate Father's Day surrounded by nature, Avian Adventure Day was the perfect blend of education, exploration, and family fun.
ALL ARTICLES