Salem Run'ucopia Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 6k/10k/15k

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: 

Yes, strollers are okay.

No dogs please. Please leave them at home.

Yes, you can still register with this page up until Thanksgiving morning.

Yes, you can change races by going to your profile in RunSignUp and choosing "change event."

Walkers, please do not block the whole path. Stay right, so runners can pass on the left.

Music, cowbell, good times… Run’ucopia is a Salem tradition. The course will cross the new bridge through one of the largest interconnected urban park systems in the nation! Bring your family and friends and engage in some healthy activity before your feast.  Consider this your “appetite development.”  It is a tradition of friends, family and competitors. 

Distances:

1K kids run (6 & under) Free! Just sign the form on race day...
6K run/walk (4 mile)

10K run (6.2 mile)
15k run (9.3 mile)

Location: Riverfront Park, Salem, Oregon.  Start/Finish at the pavilion.

Date & Time:  Thanksgiving morning.  Thursday, November 26, 2026.  Here is your schedule:

8:00 am   Check-in opens at the pavilion. Grab your bib
8:45         1k Kids race
9:10         Race start 15k
9:12         Race start for 10k

9:14        Race start for 6k

Post-race:  Check the raffle to see if you won

9:50         6k awards. Hot chocolate & coffee from Dutch Bros is enjoyed until supplies run out. Commemorative photos are taken.
10:15      10k awards and 15k soon thereafter.

The Course:  The course is a beautiful tour of the largest interconnected urban park system in the United States and starts at the pavilion on the south side of Salem Riverfront Park.  It passes around the Eco-Earth and onto the new bridge into Minto Brown Island Park.  

The 6k run/walk course is now a little more of a loop course. It is closer to 4 miles, and you get to tour a little more of beautiful Minto Brown Island Park.

The 10k and 15k go deeper into Minto Brown Island Park before heading back to the Pavilion start/finish area. Many signs & volunteers mark the way. Be sure to check out the route below.  The 10k is a very simple out-and-back with a turnaround near the 1930's Buick.

The 15k is also an out-and-back, but on the return, you have to turn right to do your 15k loop, which takes you off the pavement onto a nice dirt trail, directing you back towards the starting line. You go deep, then do the loop.  Signs and volunteers guide the way.

View the 6k course here: 6k/ 4 mile course
 
View the 10k course here:  Revised 10k course
 
View the 15k course here: Revised 15k course

Again this year: Express what you are grateful for this year on the giant chalkboard.

Timing: The Run’ucopia is always chip-timed. 

Pre-Registration:  There is a small online sign-up fee. Register early for the best price. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Early packet pickup: Wednesday 11/25 in downtown Salem at Gallagher’s Fitness Resources (135 Commercial St. NE) from 2:30pm to 5:45pm (Come down to the Basement). Do not arrive early unless you are shopping please. Pickup some new running gear, sports nutrition, or Christmas gifts while you are there.

Age Groups for the 6k, 10k, 15k runs:  14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-79, 80 & over.  Ribbons for top 3 age group placers. Special gifts for top 3 men’s and women’s winners in each distance.

The 1k kids run is free this year, and is for kids 6 and under. Just report to the registration desk to sign the waiver & get their bib. This one is just for fun and is self-timed. All kids run finishers get a ribbon.  5-6 is not too young to do the 6k course, but separate sign up is required for that event.

Walking Groups: Walkers are welcome and encouraged to join in the fun.  For safety reasons, we ask walkers to stay to the right side of the path to allow runners to pass on the left.  The paths are narrow, so please do not block the whole path.

Opportunities to contribute to your community: The registration form includes a place to donate to our charity partners. The race organization also makes annual contributions. Please join us to help make Salem awesome.  

Participating again this year is Outward Church and their annual Thanksgiving Meal Program.   They are back at it this year organizing a feast for families in need.  Each Thanksgiving, they cook and deliver full meals to over 200 families, many of them were at least partially sponsored by generous Run’ucopia runners.  To sponsor a family’s full meal, it is $35.  Or please consider just the turkey at $20, or just the sides for $10.  The on-line registration form lets you donate any level you feel able to give. You can read more about it here: http://www.THXSalem.com

As you can imagine, there are a lot of logistics involved in cooking, loading and delivering this many meals. They need your help on the delivery. If you would like to join in delivering Thanksgiving meals, all are welcome, and your help is greatly appreciated. Just check out http://www.THXSalem.com

Salem Harvest is back again as a charity partner, and they also help feed economically-challenged families in our community. These volunteers will be guiding runners around the course.

Family Discount: There is a discount for families of 4+ for the race. To get the discount, on-line registration is required.  We just extended this family discount deadline to November 26. Just register and come get your bibs. As always, you get the best deal by registering early.

Raffle: After you get your bib, be sure to check out the raffle items. There are always cool gear, food, some quirky items to keep it interesting, and some kid stuff. Put your raffle tab from your bib in the jar of your favorite raffle item. You only win the stuff you want to win here.

Sponsors:

Gallagher's Fitness Resources, Dutch Bros Coffee, FastSigns South Salem.

Dutch Bros will be providing coffee and hot chocolate.

More information, including the Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on our webpage at www.RuninSalem.com.

Questions? Please email the Race Director at [email protected] or call/text 503.750.9245.  Do not contact Gallagher's Fitness Resources regarding the race. GFR is a sponsor and early packet pickup location, but questions go to [email protected].

This is a minimalist & green event, so please use all recycling bins, and keep Salem clean.

Come early, enjoy the music and get pumped up!