• The Turkey Gobbler 1 mile race – It starts everything off at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Like the other races it starts and finishes on Esplanade Way but slightly closer to Shumard Oaks Blvd.  The course runs a big rectangle and there are no hills.
• The Turkey Trot 5K (3.1 miles) – The 5K starts on Esplanade at 8:30 a.m. sharp.  There is a hill on this course, but overall it is a very fast course. It is also the biggest race. The course is primarily a loop on Grove Park Drive around Central Park Lake and finishes on Esplanade Way near the start.
• The Turkey Trot 10K (6.2 miles) - The 10K race starts at the same place (Esplanade Way) and time (8:30 a.m.) as the 5K. It runs the same route as the 5K and the 15K for the first two miles.  Runners may change races any time during those first 2 miles as long as they are careful to run the entire race and do not knock anyone down.
• The Turkey Trot 15K (9.3 miles) - The 15K starts at 8:30 a.m. with the 5K and the 10K runners, but it is for the dedicated runner.  It is a great race if you are ready to take on the challenge.

Again, all four races start on Esplanade Way (4055) between Merchants Row and Shumard Oak Blvd. Search for 4055 Esplanade Way for directions. Chose the one that fits your Thanksgiving Day schedule. We do ask that you choose the race distance you can finish no later than 10:30 a.m. so our volunteers have the opportunity the opportunity to get home at a reasonable time.

View course descriptions and maps »

Where can I pick up my race number and shirt?

Participants may pick up their race number and shirt (if they purchased one) at the Turkey Trot Festival on Sunday, November 24, at Goodwood Museum & Gardens (1600 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL) from 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  There will also be a place to register and pick up race numbers and shirts on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Nov 25 - 27) at Premier Health and Fitness Center from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 (Monday and Tuesday) and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Wednesday).  Finally, there will be limited registration and pickup on race morning.

To get the best pricing and to assure you receive a shirt in the size you want, you should register on or before November 18. Your number and shirt will be available for pick-up at the Turkey Trot Festival.  If you cannot make the Festival, it will be available at Premier.

Other Information

The race courses are USATF certified thanks to the good work of Bill McGuire. The races will begin on Esplanade Way between Merchants Row and Shumard Oaks Blvd. Runners are chip timed so you can relax about crossing the start line. All races except the 1-mile race share the same start and finish line. However, the 5K will split from the 10K and 15K on Grove Park Drive just past the water tables and the 2-mile mark. The 10K and 15K will split at School House Road at Terrebonne Drive.  The 10K runners take a left on Terrebonne, while the 15K runners go straight on School House Road until it becomes Biltmore Avenue.

The race will again use a timing chip, including a timing mat at the starting and finishing lines and out on the course.  This will enable us to record your net time and allow you to relax some about where you line up to start the race. The chip is on the back of your race bib number, so please leave it there and pin your number to the FRONT of your shirt or shorts. Numbers pinned to your back may not read. Do not fold your number. Our goal is to be able to score the race quickly and accurately. If you are running the 10K or the 15K races you also must cross the extra mats for those races to be scored in them. There will be volunteers at the finish line to direct you.

We ask that runners line up at the start based on estimated pace. Please look for the corral that corresponds to your estimated pace per mile. The first corral will be for runners who plan to run 6:30 minutes per mile or faster. The second corral will be reserved for runners who can maintain a faster pace than 8:00 per mile. If you help us with this, the whole event will run smoother. If you participate with a stroller, you must start near the back of the crowd so as to avoid problems.

PLEASE NO ANIMALS

The crowds are just too big. You owe it to your fellow runners to make the course safe for everyone. Runners approaching the finish line with a dog (other than a service dog) will not be allowed to finish the race. We also encourage runners to leave their head phones at home. You will enjoy the experience more! We won’t stop you from wearing headsets, but you are a danger to your fellow runners when you wear them while running in big crowds.

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