It’s Thanksgiving Week! …and RACE WEEK!! Thank you for joining us, we’re looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday at packet pickup and Thursday morning for the races! We’ve sent 3 pre-race emails for the 9th Annual Calabash Turkey Trot and they include a lot of important information for you such as:

  • Packet Pickup Info
  • Parking (Where/When)
  • Race Day Schedule
  • Course Information
  • And More…

If you know anyone that may have missed the emails, please be sure and share this post with them.  Thanks for joining us!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I swap tshirt sizes?   Yes, after the races have all started on Thursday, based on availability.
When Are Awards?  All awards will be around 9:30.
What Awards Are Recognized?   Top 3 overall M/F, Top 3 masters M/F and 5 year age groups.
Strollers Allowed?   Strollers are allowed on all courses.  Please be careful and watch your surroundings!
Dogs Allowed?   Sorry to say but due to USATF sanctioning, no dogs are allowed at the event.
Age Restrictions?   No age restrictions, parental consent for all runners under 18 for any races are required.
Will I receive a medal?  All runners will receive a medal at the finish line. Challenge participants will pick up all 4 medals together after the 1 mile.
What’s the plan for inclement weather?  This is a rain or shine event.

BIGGEST TURKEY TROT IN HISTORY!
(…for Calabash) This race has quickly become the largest Turkey Trot in the Grand Strand Area with around 2,000 participants. But we usually sell out. Don’t let your friends and family miss it! Share on your Facebook page and with your friends about the race so they can join you on Thanksgiving!

MILES FOR MEALS – FOOD DONATION!
We’ve partnered with local food banks to support the food insecure families in our local community. Each race they give us a specific item and we encourage participants to bring this item to our packet pickup. Every little bit helps! For the Turkey Trot, feel free to bring any non-perishable food item but they’ve specifically requested Bags of Rice. This program is really helping families in need especially around the holidays!

COSTUME CONTEST!
Get started on your best costume ever.  If you think running/walking a turkey trot is fun, try it in the coolest costume ever.  We once had a family make a Mayflower ship and run the entire race together in the ship – it was epic and something I and many others will never forget.  Create a really fun costume and be entered in the contest for a trophy!

PACKET PICKUP
It is required to run with your bib during the race and you pick this up at our packet pickup. We will host this in Calabash at the Elks from 2pm – 7pm on Wednesday 11/22. This is located at: 937 Carter Dr SW, Calabash, NC 28467. We strongly encourage you to pickup (or have your bib picked up) by a friend or family member here on Wednesday if at all possible. We will also host an “emergency race day bib pickup” near the start/finish line but ask if you need to pick it up on race day that you come extra early. 
– YES, you can have someone else pickup your bib for you on Wednesday.
– Bib numbers are not pre-assigned for this race so you don’t need to know your bib number when picking up your packet.

PARKING RACE DAY
Use this address: 9939 Nance St, Calabash, NC 28467 or CLICK HERE – You will need to come from Beach Dr. down River Rd. to park! We will have volunteers and staff helping to direct you into approved parking lots. Big thanks to: Hurricane Fishing Fleet, Becks, Ellas, Calabash Fishing Fleet, Angus Steakhouse, Nances, Dockside, Seafood Hut, Calabash Marina, Seafood Shack, Bagel Dock, Blondies Donuts, Grapevine, Island Vibe, Calabash Curios, Milk & Honey, Bennett’s and BSRI Thrift Shop for your support and allowing participants to park on race day!

WHEN TO PARK ON RACE DAY
We encourage you to arrive 50 – 60 minutes before your race. No need to be stressed by getting here late. We will park everyone as close to the start line as possible but there will be close to 1,500 cars to park – please come early.
NOTE: 5K & 1M participants – Unless you’re running in the 10K, you can show up about 7:20-7:30.  You will come down River Rd. which will be full of 10K runners from 7am – 7:15.  Also, there will be runners on the road as you arrive so please allow extra time and drive slow as you approach the race to park.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:00am – 10K starts
8:30am – 5K starts
9:15am – 1 Mile starts
9:30am – All awards will be given out altogether
9:30am – COSTUME CONTEST!
*After Party will be going on as everyone finishes with pumpkin pie, coffee and music

KNOW YOUR COURSE
We have maps on our website but I’m including them here as well for you. CLICK HERE for a large PDF printable map.

CHALLENGE RUNNERS (MEDAL PICKUP)
If you are in the challenge, we don’t make you run your 2nd & 3rd races with your medals. You’ll have a bib noting that you’re in the challenge and you’ll get all of your medals at a separate tent near the finish line AFTER you complete the 1 Mile event. So PLEASE do not grab a medal in the finish line, we will have all of yours together for you.

VIRTUAL RUNNERS
All finisher swag is shipped to you within 2 weeks following the event.  You are able to complete your virtual walk/run anywhere/anytime before or after you receive your items, this is on the honor system. You do not need to send us proof of your finish, but please feel free to share it online!

Thank you for running with us! Be sure to spread the word with friends and family to come run the Calabash Turkey Trot!