Registration open for 18th annual Turkey Trot 5K

Springfield, MO, October 8, 2012 - Early Bird registration is now open for the 18th annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, coordinated by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Developmental Center of the Ozarks.

Springfield’s Thanksgiving Day tradition begins Thursday, Nov. 22, 8 a.m., at the Springfield Exposition Center, 635 E. St. Louis St., in downtown Springfield.

Turkey Trot is Springfield’s largest 5K walk/run of the year and the largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in Missouri, attracting more than 8,000 participants in 2011. All proceeds benefit Developmental Center of the Ozarks and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board Scholarship Fund. Participants are also asked to bring three non-perishable food items for the Ozarks Food Harvest.

Awards for overall male, female and masters division winners, along with door prizes, will be presented inside the ExpoCenter following the race. The event will be held rain, snow or shine.

Early Bird registration is available now through Friday, Nov. 16, for $20/adults and $15/kids 12 and younger. Participants may register online at parkboard.org; in person at Springfield-Greene County Park Board, 1923 N. Weller Ave., or Killian Sports Complex, 2141 E. Pythian St. Registrations may also be printed at parkboard.org and mailed, but must be postmarked by Nov. 14.

Early Bird registration closes at 5 p.m., Nov. 16, and will remain closed until the day before the race. On-site registration opens Wednesday, Nov. 21, 8 a.m. at the Springfield Exposition Center for $25/adults and $20/children.

For more information, visit parkboard.org or call the Springfield-Greene County Park Board at (417) 837-5817. For media inquiries, call Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene CountyPark Board, at 417-874-2176, or 417-224-5510.