NORTH READING — The 15th running of the North Reading 5K Turkey Trot is coming up in four weeks. When you run the 5K race you will burn on average 350 – 450 calories while participating in the walk will burn roughly 200 calories. This is a great way to prepare for your day of feasting at Thanksgiving gatherings!

To register, go to www.northreadingturkeytrot.com to join your neighbors and friends. Register by Sunday, November 10 to enjoy low entry fees and to guarantee receipt of a long-sleeve performance t-shirt in the size you want! Shirts will not be guaranteed if you register after this date and entry fees will increase by $10 – $15. We promise to do better this year with the proper sized shirts for early registrants!

Presently about 700 folks are registered to participate. The race will be capped at 1,500. Online registration will continue through midnight, Sunday, November 17, or until the 1,500-registrant threshold is reached.

To facilitate bib pick up for folks that found it difficult to make it to the NRMS/HS campus during the week, we have partnered with Marathon Sports in Reading center to offer pre-race pick up during store hours the weekend before the race. This is in addition to the usual pick up held at the NRMS/HS Cafeteria the week of Thanksgiving.

Sponsors for the race include SourcePromo by SourcePak, Farrelly Realty Group – Coldwell Banker Realty, nuimage Entertainment, Marathon Sports, True North Realty, Horseshoe Grille, Arbon Equipment Corporation, The Keyes Family, Aesthetic Dentistry, China Cuisine, Torra Law, CDG Realty & Renovation, Lady Di’s Barbershop, Reading Gymnastics Academy, Denaro Chiropractic, North Reading Diamond Club, North Reading Knights of Columbus, The Carucci family, Por-Shun, and Kitty’s Restaurant. Joining us for the first time is FLUSH Services, Scotty’s Tire & Automotive, NGP Management – Dunkin’ @ 297 Main St., Hopothecary Ales Brewery & Restaurant, Captain’s Pizza, O’Dea’s Barbershop in Reading, J & J Asian Cuisine & Lounge, All Sports Center, Harmeling Physical Therapy, Jason Elliott Septic Pumping, A Touch of Class Salon, and Golf Facilities Management, Inc. Check out the race website for links to the sponsors. All sponsors will be identified on the back of the 1,500 plus race shirts that will be handed out, providing bragging rights around the area!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHALLENGE

The Elementary School Challenge is on as each school will strive to get 20% of the student population to participate on race day.

FOOD PANTRY DRIVE

Continuing our involvement with the North Reading Middle School Early Act Club, food items, personal supplies, and household cleaning products will be collected for the North Reading Food Pantry at the pre-race bib pick-up, Thursday, November 21. If you can donate non-perishable items, it will be greatly appreciated. Check out the NR Food Pantry website for more information of needs in the community: CCS/North Reading Food Pantry (nrfoodpantry.org)

Directions for the new course are available on the registration page. Parking information will be posted soon. If you have any questions, please send an email to nrturkeytrot@gmail.com . Keep on running right through Thanksgiving Day!