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Thanksgiving Weekend, Thurs.-Sun., Nov. 26-29
Nothing can stop Springfield’s Thanksgiving tradition, even if we can’t all be together this year. Registration is now open for the 26th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk Presented by Brad Bradshaw, MD, JD, LC, taking place Thursday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 29, at the location of your choice.
Participants may register to choose their own route and complete a 5K over Thanksgiving weekend, alone or with friends and family. Registration includes a long-sleeved Turkey Trot t-shirt (this year’s colors compliment Kansas City Chiefs attire!) and commemorative race bib. Participants may upload race times and photos for the chance to win contests and prizes. All race times and photos must be submitted by midnight on Sunday, Nov. 29, at ParkBoard.org/TurkeyTrot.
Packet pick-up is a drive-through event held Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., at Killian Sports Complex, 2141 E. Pythian. Participants may also register on site ($30/adults and $25/kids) and drop off food donations for longtime Turkey Trot partner, Ozarks Food Harvest. Turkey Trot is one of the group’s largest food drives of the year.
To keep traffic flowing, access Killian Sports Complex from the intersection of East Chestnut Expressway and Cedarbrook Avenue. Drive north on Cedarbrook to Pythian Street. Take a left (west) on Pythian, follow the road past Cooper Tennis Complex. Take the next right, into the Killian parking lot. Participants will remain in their vehicle, and are asked to please wear a face covering while interacting with staff at the event. Vehicles will exit further west, onto Pythian. A driving map is here.
Proceeds from Turkey Trot benefit the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund. Turkey Trot is presented by Brad Bradshaw MD, JD, LC. Additional sponsors include CenturyLink, Positronic, Missouri Foundation for Health, CoxHealth and CoxHealth Plans, and Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company.
Early Bird registration by Fri., Nov. 20, 5 p.m.: $20/adults and $15/kids 12 and under.
On-site registration at drive-through packet pickup at Killian Sports Complex, Wed., Nov. 25, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: $30/adults and $25/kids 12 and under.
Packet Pick-up
Packet pick-up will be a drive-through event held Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Killian Sports Complex, where participants may also register on site and drop off food donations for longtime Turkey Trot partner, Ozarks Food Harvest. Turkey Trot is one of the group’s largest food drives of the year. Participants also have the option to have their package mailed for an additional fee.
Packet pick-up is a drive-through event held Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., at Killian Sports Complex, 2141 E. Pythian. Participants may also register on site ($30/adults and $25/kids) and drop off food donations for longtime Turkey Trot partner, Ozarks Food Harvest. Turkey Trot is one of the group’s largest food drives of the year.
To keep traffic flowing, access Killian Sports Complex from the intersection of East Chestnut Expressway and Cedarbrook Avenue. Drive north on Cedarbrook to Pythian Street. Take a left (west) on Pythian, follow the road past Cooper Tennis Complex. Take the next right, into the Killian parking lot. Participants will remain in their vehicle, and are asked to please wear a face covering while interacting with staff at the event. Vehicles will exit further west, onto Pythian. A driving map is here.
Choose a 5K route in Springfield or wherever you are, or create your own route here.
West Springfield
Ewing Park
loop, mostly flat, paved path; Enjoy our city's Greenways Trails and parks facilities on a unique, west-side 5k course.
South Springfield
Sequiota
loop, mixed flat & hills, roads Run hills west and south of Sequiota Park.
Central Springfield
Phelps Grove to Fassnight
out & back, mostly flat, paved path Tour two of Springfield's historic parks and the Fassnight Creek Greenway connecting them. Start at Phelps Grove Parking lot, follow route west across the park, along the sidewalk on Bennett St. Leave the sidewalk to catch the Fassnight Creek Greenway near Jefferson Avenue. Follow the greenway to Fassnight Park, turning around at Grant Avenue. follow the same path back to Phelps Grove, taking a victory loop to the north of the park and back down the middle, to make it a full 5K.
Turkey Trot Benefits
Turkey Trot is Springfield’s largest timed 5K run/walk of the year and the largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in Missouri, attracting more than 7,000 participants a year.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Springfield-Greene County Park Board Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund and the Developmental Center of the Ozarks.
The Scholarship Fund allows youth who quality for free and reduced meals to participate in Park Board programs, sports, summer camp and other fee-based activities. Since 2008, more than 8,000 individual scholarships have been awarded!
DCO provides therapies and educational support to infants and children with developmental disabilities or delays, ages birth to three; as well as an inclusive childcare center and preschool for all children six weeks through six years of age. It also provides daytime educational, training and employment services for adults who have disabilities.
Thank you for supporting Turkey Trot!
Turkey Trot also serves as one of the largest one-day food drives of the year for Ozarks Food Harvest. This year, we are requesting participants donate five non-perishable food items at Packet Pick-up or Race Day.
Cutest Pet
Do you think you have the cutest dog that participated with you in Turkey Trot? If so, share your photo in the comments and tag your friends to like your photo BEFORE Sunday, Nov. 29 at Midnight. Best photo will be selected from a panel of judges on Monday, Nov. 30. Prize includes a $25 gift certificate to Fetch Pet Supplies & Gifts and a dog bath and day of daycare at Camp Bow Wow Springfield East.
Best Dressed Individual
Did you strut your stuff during your Turkey Trot? If so, we want to see your pic in the comments for BEST Dressed Individual. Tag your friends to like your photo BEFORE Sunday, Nov. 29 at Midnight. Best photo will be selected from a panel of judges on Monday, Nov. 30. Prize includes passes to Gardens Aglow at Springfield Botanical Gardens.
Best dressed Group
Did you strut your stuff during your Turkey Trot? If so, we want to see your pic in the comments for BEST Dressed Group. Tag your friends to like your photo BEFORE Sunday, Nov. 29 at Midnight. Best photo will be selected from a panel of judges on Monday, Nov. 30. Prize includes passes to Gardens Aglow at Springfield Botanical Gardens
Largest Group
Do you think you have the largest family or group that participated in Turkey Trot? If so, share your photo in the comments and tag your friends to like your photo BEFORE Sunday, Nov. 29 at Midnight. Best photo will be selected from a panel of judges on Monday, Nov. 30. Prize includes VIB Bowling for up to 6 people.