Faith Mission Turkey Stampede presented by Adams Remco, Inc.

Michiana's Thanksgiving Tradition is a community event to be shared with loved ones - family & friends. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to spend together - a time of gratitude for all we have!

An event on Thanksgiving morning? What? 

It's a great way to get some fresh air, "burn it forward" 🥧, and do something for others at the same time. Every dime raised through your entry fees goes right to Faith Mission of Michiana to help feed and house those in need as our sponsors cover the fixed cost of the event.

Be sure to ask around your work, friends, and people in your neighborhood - do they have something to do on Thanksgiving? Invite them to join you! 

Distance Options

• 10k Run, 5k Run, 5k Walk
  • You will begin on Jackson Street in Elkhart and run through the north end of town, then loop around through the historic neighborhood of Strong Avenue, with its wider streets and unique homes! We spread people out at the start so that you can go at your own pace and enjoy your morning.
  • The 10k runs most of the same 5K course, as well as an additional mile around the Strong Avenue neighborhood and a lap around McNaughton park, which includes one small hill, to make up the additional 3.1 miles.
• 1mile Walk
  • This is a lovely walk around Island Park, which you reach by crossing a bridge over the river.  The trees are turning and it makes for lovely photo ops.
  • Not a runner, that's ok!
  • You can bring the stroller  or your dog with your coffee and get your steps in with your house guests before the days festivities!

Reminders for 2026:

• FOUR, yes four, different locations to pick up your packets so that you can avoid lines on Thanksgiving morning!
• We encourage people to pick up for their friends and family!  
  • Finisher medals for all participants  on Jackson just past the finish line
  • If you didn't get one last year, you can pick up during registration this year! 
• To keep event pricing down, the shirts are optional and an additional $15. 

 

 

Packet Pick up & Registration

Pick up your race packet before race day - avoid the lines on race morning! Four options this year so that can you can sleep in on race day.  You don't have to let us know which location, you can go to any location!  We are literally hauling everything around to make it easy for you!

• SOUTH BEND - Sunday, November 22 from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Howard Park Event Center, 216 St Louis
• GOSHEN - Monday, November 23 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Goshen Brewing Company, 315 W Washington
• MISHAWAKA - Tuesday, November 24 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Fleet Feet Mishawaka, 3522 Grape Road
• ELKHART - Wednesday, November 25 from 12:00pm - 6:00pm at Elkhart Health & Aquatics, 200 East Jackson
• ELKHART Race Day- (last minute - expect a long line) Thursday, November 26 from 6:45 am - 8:15am at Elkhart Health & Aquatics, 200 East Jackson

*Shirts will be ordered on November 5, 2026. Of course, we order extra, but we encourage people to sign up sooner rather than later. If you can select a size, it is available for you!  

*Group Registration ends Friday, November 13 at midnight - Groups with three or more people, create a group name and pick up all the packets in one fell swoop at GROUP pick up. 

• Our team will pull the bibs and put them together under your group name, along with any shirts you may have ordered. Note: RunSignUp does not flag you as a group unless you create a group name, so just registering 10 people does not create a group automatically.

 

 

Race Day

Join your community for Michiana's Thanksgiving Tradition - bring your dog, your friends, and your family to do something good for others. Fresh air and exercise help you earn your second slice of pie!

If you have your bib, you can go directly to your starting corral by 8:10am on race day. Corrals are based on the event you’re participating in - see below.

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:10am on race day

 

Race Day Schedule

• 7:00am - Doors open to Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center for packet pickup
• 8:10am - Gather in your corral along Jackson
  • 8:10am - 10k Runners line up in 1st corral on Jackson
  • 8:10am - 5k Runners line up in 2nd corral on Jackson
  • 8:10am - 5k Walkers line up in 3rd corral on Jackson
  • 8:10am - 1mile Walkers line up in 4th corral on Jackson

• 8:10am - Welcome to Elkhart, Mayor Rod Roberson 
• 8:20am - Faith Mission Welcome and Prayer
• 8:25am - Mandatory Race Safety Comments and Instructions
• 8:30am - 10k Run starts (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
  • 8:34am - Turkey Rabbit is released with a 45 second head start
• 8:35am - 5k Run starts (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
• 8:40am - 5k Walk starts (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
• 8:45am - 1mile Walk starts, lead by Gobbles the Turkey (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
• 10:30am - Course is closed 🦃🦃 HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🦃🦃

Port-a-johns are available on Jackson by the starting corrals to make it more convenient for you to go directly to your corral and cut down on wait times.

Water and refreshments are served at the finish line of the event.

Finisher medal - everyone receives a finisher medal - medals will be on display for pickup at the finish of the race.

Awards ceremony - there is no official awards ceremony, we know people want to leave and get back to their holiday festivities asap. Finishing times for the running participants will be posted on the Monster Message Board as soon as you cross and pushed to the results page.

We do offer the coveted turkey awards for the top three overall men and women that finish the 5K and 10K. Come to the timing trailer by the finish line, and we will take care of you!

Additionally, we offer $25 cash to the first male and female to "Catch the Turkey! "(Not a real turkey, a volunteer named Francis Disori is dressed up as a turkey--honor system here- so first female and male to pass him win).

Results will be on the Monster Message Jumbotron and posted immediately online at turkeystampede.com/results.

 

Parking Areas in Elkhart

There is plenty of parking in Elkhart! If you are not familiar with the area, please check out parking lots adjacent to your starting corral - consider parking in one of these lots:

• Electric Brew (113 E Lexington Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• The Vine (214 S Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Fifth Third Bank (400 N Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• KeyBank (101 S Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Centier Bank (100 S Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• INOVA (358 S Elkhart Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Brass Elk (333 Nibco Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Star Martial Arts (123 N Elkhart Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Public Parking (200 N Clark Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Rocket Automatic Car Wash (515 E Lexington Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Principle Roofing (318 S Elkhart Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Exclusive Customs (126 S Elkhart Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516 
• Hacienda (186 Easy Shopping Place, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• Volcano Pizza (126 Easy Shopping Place, Elkhart, IN 46516)

Program one of these parking lot addresses into your GPS for race day. Once you have parked, go directly to your corral for the best race day experience!

 

Corrals - Lining up at start

Turkey Stampede sets up "corrals" or groupings of people in the various distances down Jackson to spread out the field. This helps avoid tripping hazards at the start line and on the course, and alleviates potential congestion within that first mile. It spreads out runners to make the start as safe and smooth as possible, and helps avoid confusion on race day.

For the best race day experience for everyone, please follow these instructions!

Where each corral area assembles:

• 10k runners start at Nibco Parkway
• 5k runners assemble at Clark Street
• 5k walkers assemble at Pacific Street
• 1-Mile walkers assemble on Jackson towards Elkhart Ave

FAQ

• Costumes?
  • Yes, please we encourage costumes, hats, and celebratory elements at the event.
• Strollers?
  • Strollers are allowed on the course. Be aware of those around you.
  • Please start with people at your pace 
• Dogs?
  • We love dogs! Dogs are allowed on the course, collars and leash are required.
  • Pick up after your dog - we all thank you!!
  • Up-to-date on their shots
  • Trained dogs who are comfortable in crowds (not a puppy training event)
  • Your dog is trained for the distance
  • Please consider safety for your very small dog! This is a very large crowd!
  • Lead lines need to not impede other runners
  • Help us follow these guidelines so that we can continue to allow dogs at the event
  • Let's have fun!! 🦮🐶