FAQ

Exciting News for the 2023 Turkey Trot – Introducing the C4 Energy 13K Challenge!

This Thanksgiving morning, we’re thrilled to offer a unique opportunity for a select number of runners – the chance to conquer both the 5K and the 8K races! Join us for the C4 Energy 13K Challenge, where participants will not only test their mettle but also compete for overall and age group championships in the 8K event. But that’s not all – once you’ve triumphed in the 8K, you’ll transition to join the 5K runners already in progress. Upon successfully completing both the 8K and the 5K, 13K participants will be awarded not one, not two, but three finisher medals – one for the 5K, one for the 8K, and one for the challenging 13K!

Here are the key rules for the C4 Energy 13K Challenge:

• Advance Registration: All 13K participants must register in advance for the C4 Energy 13K.
• Awards Eligibility: All 13K participants are eligible for overall or age group awards in the 8K race only.
• Race Sequence: After completing the 8K, 13K participants will merge with the 5K runners, who will already be underway.
• Timing: While 13K participants will be officially timed for the 8K, times for the 13K will not be recorded separately.
• Finisher Medals: Every 13K runner who successfully completes both the 8K and the 5K will proudly receive finisher medals for all three races – the 5K, 8K, and the challenging 13K.
• Awards Exclusion: Please note that no overall or age group awards will be distributed to 13K participants.
• Bib Requirement: To receive your well-deserved finisher awards upon completing the C4 Energy 13K Challenge, it’s essential to wear your 13K bib throughout the event.

We can’t wait to see you rise to the C4 Energy 13K Challenge this Thanksgiving. Get ready for a medal-filled Thanksgiving morning!

Your options for registration include the following:

• Online –To register online click here.

• Race Day Registration –You can register race day prior to the start of the 5K & 8K start. Registration begins at 6:30 A.M.  Timed registration will end at 8:00 A.M. Early arrival ensures you will not miss the race start. Please remember, registering on race day, there is no guarantee of shirt, bib, or chip.

• Group & Family Registration –Group & Family registration is offered for Groups or Families of 5 or more participants who register and pay on or before November 20th.  Each member of a Group & Family will receive a $5 discount (The $5 discount will be applied once the 5th participant has registered and paid for the Trot).  Group & Family participants do not need to participate in the same event to receive the $5 discount per participant. Group & Family participants should pick up shirts and bibs prior to race day.

T-Shirts and bibs will be available during the scheduled Packet Pick-Up days at Luke’s Locker and the Northpark YMCA.  To ensure you will receive a t-shirt and bib, we encourage early registration and attending packet pick-up prior to race day.

Luke’s Locker (The Shops at Clearfork)
5255 Monahans Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76109
817-877-1448

• Saturday, November 18th
  Noon – 7:00pm
• Sunday, November 19th
  Noon – 5:00pm
• Monday, November 20th
  Noon – 7:00pm
• Tuesday, November 21st
  Noon – 7:00pm
• Wednesday, November 22nd
  Noon – 5:00pm

Northpark YMCA
9100 Beach Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76244
817-993-1333

• Saturday, November 18th
  Noon – 4:00pm
• Sunday, November 19th
  1:00pm – 5:00pm

Yes – the person picking up the packet(s) will need the participant’s name or QR Code.

Parking information will be added soon!

The first 1,500 “chip-timed” 8K runners will receive a 2023 Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot medal upon completion of the 8K run.

The first 2,500 “chip-timed” 5K runners will receive a 2023 Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot medal upon completion of their 5K run.

The first 500 children participating in the Youth Gobbler Trot will receive a 2023 Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot commemorative finisher award.

Yes, we offer age group medals for the top three finishers in each age group in the 5K & 8K (age groups listed below).

All age group winners are determined by final chip-time results.  Age group awards are only available for Timed Runners.   All age group awards can be picked-up at Luke’s Locker – Clear Fork location (November 24th – December 31st).  

5k Age Groups – Medals

• Ages 0-8 (Male and Female)
• Ages 9-10 (Male and Female)
• Ages 11-12 (Male and Female)
• Ages 13-14 (Male and Female)
• Ages 15-19 (Male and Female)
• Ages 20-24 (Male and Female)
• Ages 25-29 (Male and Female)
• Ages 30-34 (Male and Female)
• Ages 35-39 (Male and Female)
• Ages 40-44 (Male and Female)
• Ages 45-49 (Male and Female)
• Ages 50-54 (Male and Female)
• Ages 55-59 (Male and Female)
• Ages 60-64 (Male and Female)
• Ages 65-69 (Male and Female)
• Ages 70-74 (Male and Female)
• Ages 75-79 (Male and Female)
• Ages 80+ (Male and Female)

8k Age Groups – Medals

• Ages 0-13 (Male and Female)
• Ages 14-19 (Male and Female)
• Ages 20-24 (Male and Female)
• Ages 25-29 (Male and Female)
• Ages 30-34 (Male and Female)
• Ages 35-39 (Male and Female)
• Ages 40-44 (Male and Female)
• Ages 45-49 (Male and Female)
• Ages 50-54 (Male and Female)
• Ages 55-59 (Male and Female)
• Ages 60-64 (Male and Female)
• Ages 65-69 (Male and Female)
• Ages 70-74 (Male and Female)
• Ages 75-79 (Male and Female)
• Ages 80+ (Male and Female)

Again this year, we are excited to offer cash prizes for the top 3 finishers in the 5K race. We will also be offering gift cards to the top 3 overall Master Division finishers.  All award recipients must be registered prior to the event. Overall awards will be distributed on the stage during the post-race ceremony. 

Prize Breakdown:

• 1st Overall Male + Female        $300 Cash
• 2nd Overall Male + Female       $200 Cash
• 3rd Overall Male + Female        $100 Cash
• 1st Masters* Male + Female       $150 Luke’s Locker Gift Card
• 2nd Masters* Male + Female      $100 Luke’s Locker Gift Card
• 3rd Masters* Male + Female       $50 Luke’s Locker Gift Card

Prize money distribution is based upon gun time results and will only be awarded for qualified finishers of the 5K.

All award recipients must be registered and paid prior to start of the 5K race.

A review of the results will occur prior to the awards ceremony and prize money disbursements, but decisions of the Event & Course Director are final and cannot be contested.

*All Masters Division participants must be 40 years of age or older at race time.

New this year, we are excited to offer cash prizes for the top 3 finishers in the 8K race. We will also be offering gift cards to the top 3 overall Master Division finishers.  All award recipients must be registered prior to the event. Overall awards will be distributed on the stage during the post-race ceremony.

Prize Breakdown:

• 1st Overall Male + Female        $300 Cash
• 2nd Overall Male + Female       $200 Cash
• 3rd Overall Male + Female        $100 Cash
• 1st Masters* Male + Female       $150 Luke’s Locker Gift Card
• 2nd Masters* Male + Female      $100 Luke’s Locker Gift Card
• 3rd Masters* Male + Female       $50 Luke’s Locker Gift Card

Prize money distribution is based upon gun time results and will only be awarded for qualified finishers of the 8K.

All award recipients must be registered and paid prior to start of the 8K race.

A review of the results will occur prior to the awards ceremony and prize money disbursements, but decisions of the Event & Course Director are final and cannot be contested.

*All Masters Division participants must be 40 years of age or older at race time.

• 1K Hapi Water Gobbler Trot
• 8K
• 5K

• 1K Gobbler Trot: 8:00 A.M.
• 8K: 8:15 A.M.
• 5K: 8:30 A.M.

Yes, the Hapi Water Gobbler Trot is a separate 1K fun run. Parents who are registered for the 5K or 8K may accompany their child(ren) in the Hapi Water Gobbler Trot. The first 500 youth finishers of the Gobbler Trot will receive a commemorative finisher award. The Gobbler Trot is not a timed event.  Children must be registered prior to the 1K Gobbler Trot to receive a finisher award or event t-shirt.

Trotter will be hosting the Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot Costume Contest on Thanksgiving morning.      

Trotter and his team of Volunteer Judges will be on the lookout for family friendly costumes prior to the start of the races.  Come to the Trot dressed in your costume and stand out amongst the crowd of runners, joggers and walkers. 

The Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot costume contest is open to all participants registered for the 1K, 5K or 8K events.  Our judges will be on the lookout before the start of the races for costumed participants.  Trotter or one of his Volunteer Judges will be at the Information Tent from 7:00am – 7:45am to include your costume.  Trotter will be recognizing the top 10 costumed Turkey Trot participants on stage after the 5K & 8K races at 9:30am.   

The VIP Turkey Coop is a great way to start your Turkey Trot experience! This is a great spot to nourish the body and enjoy a little fellowship prior to taking flight in the 5K or 8K runs. The fee for this experience is $20 per person. Wristbands will be available during the packet pick-up for those who pre-register for this experience. A limited number of Turkey Coop wristbands will be available.

Turkey Coop Perks: 

• Breakfast
• Coffee
• Hot Chocolate
• Both covered and uncovered Coop to roam
• Limited seating will be available
• Semi-private Pot-O-lets

In celebration of the 42 years of the Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot, we are recognizing some of our loyal runners, event volunteer leaders, community supporter and some of our past event winners. Honorees will be notified in advance of this year’s event and recognized prior to the start of this year’s runs. Watch for our Facebook post beginning in late September as we announce the upcoming year honorees.

Hall of Fame Members:

• Luciana Bartholomew
• Chris Butler
• Avery Culpepper
• Reagan Ferguson
• Trevor Gilley
• Caitlin Keen
• Keith Kotar
• Luke’s Locker
• Moritz Auto
• Scott Murray
• Elizabeth Northern
• Brent Paulson
• Mayor Betsy Price
• Jonathan Swiatocha
• Agustan Hernandez
• Bryan Day
• Kim Cooke
• Trevor Berkowitz
• Sportswear Graphics

Yes, we have lots of walkers. All walkers MUST start at the back of the pack to allow the competitive runners to start the race. We encourage walkers to participate in the 5K. 

Absolutely, dogs are welcome.  There is a $20.00 registration fee and all well trained, friendly dogs on leashes (max. 3 ft.) are welcome.  Participants MUST line up in the designated “Dog Coral” at the back of the starting corrals. No dog will be allowed in the competitive chip timed corrals.  

Dog owners maintain responsibility for their pets. Dogs must be registered for the event and the first 300 dogs to register will receive a Turkey Trot dog bandana. Runners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.

No, because they travel at a higher speed, for the safety of others, rollerblades, Heelys, roller skates, scooters and bicycles are not allowed in the Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot.

No, chip timing is not required to participate in either the 5k or 8k run.

Those that want to be chip timed must select the chip timed option during the online registration process.  Runners must be chipped timed to be eligible for overall or age group awards or finisher medals. 

Yes, we have paramedics, radio operators and police officers patrolling the course. If you need assistance, just ask a volunteer or an officer for help. We also have water stops located on the course.

Absolutely, strollers are welcome. Participants MUST line up in the designated “Stroller Coral” at the back of the starting corrals. No strollers will be allowed in the competitive chip timed corral.  Parents registered in the 5K or 8K are not required to register infants or toddlers riding in a stroller.  

The Turkey Trot will provide water and fruit for our participants at no additional charge at the end of the races. 

In general, no matter what the weather, the Turkey Trot will go on! Only severe lightning will delay the event. Our paramount concern is the safety of our participants.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth welcomes all who wish to participate and believes that no one should be denied access based on their ability to pay. Proceeds from the Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot benefit diverse programs of the Y that are strengthening our community including preschool and afterschool care, water safety and swim lessons, day and overnight camp, youth sports, health programs and more. Click here to make a donation in support of the great work the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth does every day.

All courses close at 10:30 A.M. If course/time accommodations are needed, please contact Eddie Dobbins @ [email protected] prior to November 10th. 

Please contact Eddie Dobbins @ [email protected] with any event related questions.