Stratford Turkey Day Trot

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US IN CELEBRATING OUR 24th YEAR

 

OUR START/FINISH- ON MAIN ST IS IN FRONT OF THE THEATRE- 

We have a second chip mat to have a 'net' time from both sides of the road.

 

SHIRT ALERT- we will have a long sleeve shirt - the size guarantee ends 11/8

WE ORDER THEM on NOV 9 TO INSURE INVENTORY. This isn't Amazon!

With tariffs, inflation & other uncertainties we may not have any leftover after that.

Do not get shut out- reg. ASAP   

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The Stratford Turkey Day Trot has become one of the largest of its kind in the area.

From its humble start in Stratford Center 23 years ago with under 100 people,

our event has grown to average over 800 people each year. 

Our charity event is successful and safe thanks to the tremendous support &

cooperation from the Stratford Police, EMS, Public Works & Fire Departments.

   

REGISTER NOW & AVOID PRE-THANKSGIVING STRESS-  you'll have enough later!

6/14 - 7/12   THE LOWEST FEES!
              $34  ages 19 & over    
              $27  ages 18 & under

7/13- 9/13   $39 / $27
9/14-11/20  $41 / $27  
Remember Shirt size guarantee ends 11/8 

11/21-11/26  $45 / $30 

If not sold out & online only- use your device!   
No paper entries/ no cash/ no way. 

 

Pickup shirts & bibs EARLY at Riverview Bistro on Ferry Blvd in Stratford 

YES YOU CAN PICK UP FOR OTHERS- AND VIS VERSA! We encourage early pickup.     

AND the first 500 to pickup will receive Thanksgiving Themed Socks!
Location and times subject to change- watch this site and we will send alerts to the pre-reg.

Tuesday Nov 24  2-7pm  W e can not arrive before/stay after. 

Wednesday Nov 25 12-5pm  

 

THURSDAY Nov 26  PICKUP 7am- 8:10 am sharp !

At our race site- downtown Stratford at the Masonic Auditorium

2422 Main St. 

 

WE CLOSE REGISTRATION AT 1000 PARTICIPANTS.
DON'T GET SHUT OUT! 

 

            POST PARTY-   AT THE FINISH LINE !!

 

CIBUS DOS - Will be open 7am- 11am serving -

Breakfast Sandwich, Empanadas, Burritos AND a Mimosa TOWER for $19. The bar will be open!

 
PREGAME -Also on that block is featuring a bevy of specials:

$4 drafts, $6 margaritas, $10 bloodies AND Apple Cider mules, $6 Irish Car Bombs $12 Espresso Martinis,   $25 unlimited Mimosas/Bellinis,   $1 wings (not turkey!)

 

JOINING US AGAIN THIS YEAR- HEFFER  also at the finish. https://gottahaveheffer.com/ 

 

RACE DAY MENU -  8am-10:30am   last year they had great stuff (see below). This year a new menu soon. BREAKFAST BISCUIT, S AUSAGE CHEDDAR MUFFIN, T URKEY CHILI, APPLE CINNAMON YOGURT PARFAIT, COWBOY COFFEE, HOT APPLE CIDER 
  FRENCHIES COFFEE CAFE ! FREE COFFEE w/your bib before/after your run.  Located behind the theatre with great specialty coffee, hot drinks, pastries, breakfast and baked goods.  10% off with your bib.  It's open 7:30am-12  in Colonial square behind the start/finish area.  

 

OUR FLAT 5K COURSE IS VERY FRIENDLY & HAS A COMMON START/FINISH ON MAIN ST. -                                                 suitable for all abilities.

   
 ***NEW Course map: https://onthegomap.com/s/0e6d09gt 

Our run/walk takes place on a course that starts in the heart of our downtown center. 
Start on Main St, turn left on East Broadway, right on Elm St. 
From there you’ll run through the historic section of town and out on Elm St.  The turn around is just before Main St & you’ll pass the water table on the way back. 
A short loop around the park  where the historically famous Shakespeare Theater was llcated (it burned to the ground a few years ago). Then you’re back on the roads you went out & finish line at t he Stratford Theatre on Main St.   PLEASE DO NOT GIVE AWAY OR EXCHANGE YOUR BIB WITH SOMEONE! IT REALLY CAUSES HUGE PROBLEMS, MESSES UP EVERYONES’ RESULTS AND DELAYS EMERGENCY RESPONSE! 

IF A CHANGE IS NEEDED on RACE DAY SEE THE RACE DIRECTOR OR TIMER DURING BIB PICKUP WE CAN MAKE THE CHANGE. If you give/take a bib without letting us know before the start, both parties will be disqualified.

We can easily make the change BEFORE race day- email our race director  [email protected] 

 

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR BIB IS PINNED ON FRONT - NOT COVERED BY CLOTHING & not folded over.   We will have a FREE Kids run prior to the race at 8:05am . Ages 9 & under please. An adult can accompany a child if it helps avoid drama (for either one of you). 

The “Queen of the Kids” run, the ubiquitous & always vivacious DONNA CRAMOND will again be directing this terrific start to our day! DO NOT MISS HER WARM UP!!

 

  PARKING - THE START AND FINISH ARE WITHIN 200 YARDS OF THE STRATFORD RAILROAD STATION where there are hundreds of spaces. There are also spaces available behind the theatre at the finish & across the street behind the restaurants. THERE IS NO PARKING ON THE 5K COURSE- the police will tow.

 

COSTUME CONTEST - The winner receives a $50 gift card from Paradise Pizza! 

 

AWARDS : Male & Female Champions are removed from their age groups and given separate awards.  

Age Group Awards male & female - 1st, 2nd, 3rd for 9 & under, 10-13, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
PLEASE PICK UP YOUR AWARD AFTER YOU FINISH. WE GIVE THEM OUT JUST PAST THE FINISH WE WILL NOT HAVE A FORMAL CEREMONY.  WE WILL NOT MAIL THEM - but pickup will be available the following week.

 

Thanksgiving morning schedule :

6:00 am - Wake up, have a coffee, do your thing.

7:00 am - Leave early to avoid traffic and parking hassle.

8:00 am - You are late- Hopefully you are parked & running to the start!

                    Cibos dos, Pregame, Heffer + Frenchies Cafe - opens.

                    Have a nosh and a drink if you miss the start.

 

8:05 am - FREE Kids run around the Main St. block- don't miss Donna's warmup!

8:10 am - Announcements, National Anthem

8:15 am - Turkey Trot 5K start - get moving!

 

8:30 am - Snacks, fluids, & adult hydration @ Cibos dos, Pregame, Heffer & Frenchies Cafe!  

                 All open & running specials. HEY, ya gotta eat after the run. The bird is much later in the day.

Awards distributed as fast as the results are generated!

  The Stratford Police & EMS have helped to determine this event number cutoff in the interest of safety. There will not be any exceptions.

 

The proceeds of the Stratford Turkey Day Trot have averaged over $10,000 each of the last five years. These funds are donated to many non-profit groups & charities from within our Stratford Community. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated AND useful.   The charities that will receive donations from the proceeds of the race:

Children's Dyslexia Center of CT (501-C 3)

Town of Stratford Community Services
Stratford & Bunnell High School Post Prom 

We thank you for participating this year so that we may continue to provide needed donations for these worthy charities in our town.

A portion of your entrance fee & donations will be contributed to the non-profit Children's Dyslexia Centers of Connecticut Inc..  This charity supports tuition-free after-school programs to help high school-aged children in the Bridgeport, Waterbury and Hartford Areas to overcome their Dyslexic condition and advance their reading levels by 3 or 4 High School years. Dyslexia is a condition related to the brain’s sequential processing of letters,   and is not related to the matter of intelligence. The families and students who are accepted to their program are trained and provided with materials totally free. Many of our famous Industrial, Political and Military leaders have risen to prominence, after having overcome the condition, such as George Washington, Gen. George Patton, Edward Branson,  Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs and former CT Governor Dannel Malloy.

 

Our event is always in need of sponsor partners. Please contact Marty Schaivone if you’d like to  partner with us or can introduce us to a potential sponsor - [email protected]    DID YOU RUN IN 2023? Take a look at these sites for pictures! 
Jlgdesigns.com/#photagraphy-   https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNIDORyGTuUIcQxXzUI1YySw-7zRvnsT4DuDqYLzDaVClXJQ_W8rZ0VDG0jS0PbmA?pli=1&key=SzVXQXUzNlV0RnhwQXJjUS03NldEbjExcjBrWkNn    CT POST PICS-
https://www.ctpost.com/seen/article/seen-stratford-turkey-day-trot-thanksgiving-2023-18509641.php 

 

Severe Weather & Cancellation Policy -This event is being held rain or shine. Weather forecasts are tracked for heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, high winds, snow, etc. If there is a possibility of threatening weather, the information will be posted on our web site and social media pages to alert participants of possible changes. We will also do our best to send an e-blast to all pre-registered that have supplied us with a viable email address. Severe weather or a forecast to become severe during the event could change the race start time. This event could be postponed or canceled. No Refunds can be given if the event is delayed, postponed, or canceled due to severe weather or by the direction of Facility Directors, Park Services, Police, or State Officials.

 

This race is directed by Marty Schaivone – M.S. Running Productions.

MSRP directs over 30 events each year that have raised over $300,000 for charities. Races in Stratford include the Little Pub Miles for Margaritas, Two Roads Shore to the Pour, the Surfin' Santa ‘Christmas in July’, the Half Way to St Pat's 5k, Run for Wishes, & the Holiday Toy Run. In Fairfield the Colony Grill Hot Oil 5K and Bigelow Tea Run, The Great Pumpkin Classic in Trumbull, Vicki Soto Memorial in Bridgeport and many more in Fairfield County. He also partners with the Little Pub in Stratford for seven races. The 2026 MSRP schedule is always flexible- email [email protected] 

 

IF ANY MANDATES/health protocols ARE INACTED THAT LEAD TO THE CANCELATION OF THIS EVENT THERE

WILL NOT BE REFUNDS.  ALL REG FEES WILL BE GIVEN TO OUR CHARITIES AFTER EXPENSES HAVE BEEN PAID.

THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.