NORTH READING — Lace up those running shoes and get training for the traditional North Reading 5K Turkey Trot Road Race! Set to go off on Thursday, November 28, at 8 a.m., this year marks the 15-year anniversary of a 5K race and 1.75-mile walk that hosts 1,500 runners each Thanksgiving morning.
Registration is now open at www.northreadingturkeytrot.com.
The 5K run and 1.75-mile walk courses will be the same as last year – starting and ending inside Ipswich River Park. Maps for each route are posted on the race website. The registration process has been simplified on the website this year.
“The North Reading Hornet Hall of Fame will continue to host the race in town before the annual high school football game, hoping for a dry day. A wonderful family tradition for many and is now so popular, we have had to close registration well before race day the past four years at the cap of 1,500 runners! It is an amazing event supported by residents and businesses,” said Kirsten MacLellan, co-director of the race along with Joe Davis. The football game versus Lynnfield, is at home this year, played at 10:30 a.m., so it is a wonderful way to start your holiday.
Not only has the race grown, so has the interest in sponsoring it. Some of the event’s past sponsors include Farrelly Realty Group, SourcePak, Marathon Sports, The Horseshoe Grille, The Keyes Family, Aesthetic Dentistry, China Cuisine, CDG Realty & Renovation, Lady Di’s Barbershop, Reading Gymnastics Academy, Denaro Chiropractic, The North Reading Diamond Club, North Reading Knights of Columbus, The Carucci family, Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy, Kitty’s Restaurant, and Por-Shun. Last year sound and music was provided by local business “nuimage Entertainment.” Many of these businesses have jumped on board for 2024 already.
As a sponsor, your company name is displayed at the race, and it is also prominently displayed on 1,700 long sleeve performance shirts that are seen year-round all over the Greater Boston area.
Funds raised at the Turkey Trot contribute to the Frederick A. Keyes Scholarships presented to two graduating NRHS student athletes ($750 each) who have participated in the running programs, as well as equipment and supplies relating to athletics in the public schools not covered by normal funds
The Hall of Fame has donated approximately $150,000 to the school from proceeds generated from the 14 previous Turkey Trot events. Examples of purchases made include $20,000 in fitness center equipment and partial funding of new scoreboards at the football, softball, and baseball complexes.
The elementary school challenge continues to provide each school the opportunity to earn funds for the fitness program. The school must have 20 percent of its student body participate on race day to receive funds for their own physical education program supplies. Each school was successful in meeting this goal last year.
As part of the commitment to the community, all runners will be asked to bring non-perishable food to pre-race number pick-up, which will be donated to the North Reading Food Pantry to assist them during the holiday season.
For information about becoming a sponsor or questions about the race please reach out to nrturkeytrot@gmail.com.