A one-of-its-kind race is taking place in Brevard County this week. Known as Tour de Turtles, the race takes place on annual basis. On Sunday, the race has started from Melbourne Beach in which two turtles have been released and will compete with 11 other sea turtles already released around South Florida and the Caribbean.

Main aim of the race is to see which sea turtle covers the maximum distance over the three months. The two sea turtles released from the county have been named Myrtle and Dash, and both are female Space Coast loggerhead sea turtles.

Researchers do not have much information about the migration pattern of sea turtle. They are quite interested in knowing where and why sea turtles go. David Godfrey, Sea Turtle Conservancy Executive Director, stated, "We've learned that of course sea turtles like to return to the beach where they're from in order to nest. But most importantly, they go to all different kinds of forging grounds in other countries".

Each turtle has been attached with satellite transmitters on their shells, so they can be easily tracked. Brevard County is blessed to have many loggerhead sea turtles. More than 1,000 spectators attended the launch of the race and people were seen cheering for the turtles and chanted slogans, 'Go Myrtle! Go Myrtle! Go Myrtle!'

Sea Turtle Conservancy and University of Central Florida researchers will be monitor the turtle's journey.