Beginning Friday November 18th, walk-in registration and packet pick up opens for the 49th Annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot and will run through Wednesday, November 23rd. Packet Pick-up for mail-in, on-line registration and in-person registrations will be held at the 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 along with the T. Boone Pickens YMCA downtown at Ross and N. Akard Street.
On-line and walk-in registrations is $35. Tot Trot registration for children 6 and under is $15. Tot Trot shirt sizes to include Toddler sizes, so now everyone can have their own Trot shirt and race bib. Don’t forget to register your dog for $15 and receive a cool Y-Trot bandana and race bib for your 4 legged friends. Race day registration is $40.
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. The first 5,500 8-mile runners will receive commemorative finisher medals.
New this year, we are introducing the “Team Challenge”. This will allow people to sign-up a team of 4-6 runners and compete for team awards in the following categories; Open Male, Open Female, Open Coed, 18 & Under Male and 18 & Under Female. Medals for the top three teams in each division will be awarded.
Forty-nine years in the making the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is Dallas’ way to begin Thanksgiving Day. On Thursday, November 24, nearly 30,000 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. The first 5,500 8-mile runners will receive commemorative finisher medals.
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, now a certified 5K, was added in 1984 to accommodate the increasing participation of individuals and families.
For more information on the 49th Annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot or to volunteer call (214)954-0500 or to register log on to www.thetrot.com
the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in 22 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcadallas.org