The first Turtle International was held on February 28, 1964. Water turtles six inches long and under competed in a 35 foot “dash” on a plywood ramp leading from the stage in Clendenen. 51 entries competed in two heats. A variety of private and state schools as well as Oxford University sent turtles. “Tuffy” from Tufts was the winner. AU’s “General Ike” was eliminated in the heats. The race raised $440 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

AU’s “Goy” won the second Turtle International in 1965 beating out the Vassar and Simmons turtles. When the race was moved to May in 1966, AU won for a second year in a row with “Tricky Dick.” AU raised $1500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1968 when Western Washington State College won the race over a huge field (80 entrants).

After skipping a year, the race resumed in 1970 and ran annually through 1973. Over the years the ramp was lengthened to 50 feet and the number of turtles in each heat was reduced. Humorist Art Buchwald served as Master of Ceremonies for the race in the 1970s.  The image below is from the 1970s.