With more than forty great years in the making, the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is almost here, again marking Dallas’ way to begin Thanksgiving Day. On Thursday, November 26, nearly 35,000 participants are expected to turn out to Dallas City Hall Plaza for the 8 mile race and 5K fun run. The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot benefits YMCA programs that help the YMCA to strengthen the foundations of community.
The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is one of the largest multi-event races in the country. The excitement that surrounds this event continues to grow each year as more runners and generations of families turn out to experience the fun and family-friendly atmosphere that is the backdrop to the race. The Trot consists of both a certified 5K, and an 8 mile race. Again this year there is the option for all participants to be chip timed in both the 5k and 8 mile race with a $5 timing charge and a timed runner corral.
Online and walk in registration is $35, walk in registration and packet pick up begins on Saturday, November 21 through Wednesday, November 25. Race day registration is $40. Trot Tot registration for children 6 and under is $15. And new this year we have expanded Trot Tot shirt sizes to include Toddler Sizes. Yes, now everyone can have their own Trot shirt and race bib. Don’t forget to register your dog for $10 and receive a cool Y-Trot bandana and race bib for your 4 legged friends.
Packet Pick-up for mail-in, on-line registration will be held at the following Luke’s Locker locations in Dallas on Mockingbird Lane, White Rock on Gaston Ave, in Plano on Legacy Road and Highland Village on Cottonwood Creek. New pick up locations added this year are the T. Boone Pickens YMCA downtown at Ross and Akard along with the Coppell Family YMCA located on Town Center Blvd in Coppell.
The original Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot was held at the Old Fair Grounds back in the early 40’s; but the long string of consecutive races began with the 8-mile race in 1968. The unique 8- mile race distance was created when the 107 participants were instructed to run along the shores of White Rock Lake “to the big oak tree and back”. By 1979, the Race had become so popular that it was moved to the Downtown are to accommodate more runners and showcase “Big D”. The 3 mile Fun Run/Walk was added in 1984 to accommodate the increasing participation of individuals and families.
For more information on the 48th Annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot or to volunteer call (214)954-0500 or to register log on to www.thetrot.com