2018 Turkey Trots in the Triangle

2018 Turkey Trots

Growing up in Massachusetts our Thanksgiving tradition outside of spending time with the family and the meal was always high school football. If you were home for Thanksgiving you would get up early and head over to either your high school or your rival high school for the football game of the year! It was always a reunion of sorts as you would run into friends you haven’t seen in years. The football game - which was played in rain, snow and sleet - which ever we were graced with that day, was the kick off to the day. Once the game ended we always rushed home to shower and then headed to our grandparents house for the feast and family time!

Moving down south though we quickly realized our Thanksgiving tradition of a rival football game didn’t take place down here. What we learned is that most people did one of two things, either volunteer at one of the local places that was serving a hot meal for those in need or running a Turkey Trot before the big meal! A lot of people I know from the area or are coming to the area to visit will be partaking in local Turkey Trots. Will you?

If you are new to the area or are not into running you may be wondering what a Turkey Trot is?! Well long story short, it’s a fun Thanksgiving tradition for the whole family! Many towns in the area offer a Turkey Trot fun run which is typically a 5K race. You can choose to walk or run it and most races encourage the whole family to partake! You will see lots of folks dressed up in festive gear to celebrate the day and the upcoming Christmas holiday. A lot of folks like to participate as the races are typically held first thing in the morning which helps folks get in their exercise before the big meal and is an opportunity to work out when the gym is closed.

Here is a list of some of theTurkey Trots or fun runs that I’ve found in the Triangle area this Thanksgiving!

Gallop & Gorge 8K

Location: Carrboro, NC

When: Thursday, November 22nd @ 8 AM

Price: $30 Price increases after November 19, 2018 at 11:59pm EST

Description: The race starts and finishes on Weaver Street in downtown Carrboro and winds through the nearby neighborhoods.

Registration and Bib Pickup: Online registration will be available until midnight on Monday, November 19. Registration will also be available at bib pickup (November 20, 21, and race day morning), You are strongly encouraged to register early to avoid the lines. Also, the registration fee increases to $35 at bib pickup and on race day.

You can pick up your bib at Fleet Feet Sports in Carrboro on Tuesday, November 20 from 4-6:30 p.m., and Wednesday, November 21 from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., as well as race day morning. Race entries are not transferable, i.e., you cannot give your bib number to someone else. By doing so, the results (awards, age group, and overall) will be inaccurate.

Gobblers Run 5K

Location: Starts and finishes at the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club

When: Thursday, November 22nd @ 8 AM

Price:

ages 6 - 15 

$20 11/1 - 11/18

$25 11/19 - 11/22

ages 16 & up

$25 11/1 - 11/18

$30 11/19 - 11/22

Description: The course is mostly flat, looping through the historic residential and business districts. There will be one water stop at the half-way point located on Main Street.

Registration and Bib Pickup: Online registration ends Nov. 21. There's also a FREE race for ages 5 and younger. In-person registration is available if you miss the online deadline. Walkers and strollers are welcome.

Inside-Outs Sports Turkey Trot

Location: Cary,NC

When: Thursday, November 22nd @ 8 AM

Price: 8K Main Event $30, 1 Mile Fun Run $15, Kid's Dash for ages 7 and under $10 - fees increase by $5 on race day! 

Description: The morning begins with the 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk at 8:30 am. The featured 8K starts at 9 am, and the 100-yard Kid’s Dash for children ages 7 and under goes off at 10:30 am.

Registration and Bib Pickup: Packet Pick-Up and walk-up registration will occur at Inside-OutSports in Cary:

Wednesday, November 21 from noon - 6pm.

Race morning beginning at 7:00 am.

Ridgewood Turkey Trot

Location: Ridgewood Shopping Center at Wade Avenue and Ridge Road in Raleigh

When: Thursday, November 22^nd@  8:00 AM

Price:

8K Race:  Includes our amazing NEW long-sleeve gender-specific tech shirt until your style/size has sold out.  (We cannot re-order these shirts.)

• Nov 1 - Nov 16:  $33
• Nov 17 - Nov 21:  $36
• Race Day:  $50 (unless the event is sold out)
• Charity slots (after regular registration fills):  $50

Kids Dash:

• Nov 1-Nov 21:  $7
• Race Day:  $10
• NOTE:  Kids Race does not fill.  Even when registrations close for the 8K, kids can still be registered.
  
  

Family/Group RATE:  Registrations totaling $100 or more in a single order automatically receive a 15% discount by using the promo code FriendsAndFamily.  Register the entire family all at once with the promo code and SAVE 15%.

Description: Kids and adult races that support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Registration and Bib Pickup: Registration can be found online by clicking here. Be sure to register early as this race sells out almost every year! Packet pickup will be held on Saturday 11/17 and Sunday 11/18 from noon - 5 pm in Ridgewood Shopping Center. 

Will you be running this Thanksgiving morning? If not, what other traditions do you have?

    Chrissy Bazonski

Client Care Specialist

Chrissy@PeterKima.com