Registration is open for Hopkinsville’s 24th annual Turkey Trot, the Thanksgiving morning 5K that is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.
Traditionally the Turkey Trot attracts hundreds of participants, including babies in strollers, children in wagons and leashed dogs. Many former residents who are back home for the Thanksgiving holiday join the Turkey Trot as a sort of homecoming event to catch up with old friends.
There’s fee to participate, but event organizers at Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation encourage participants to register online before the noncompetitive event.
Check-in starts at 7 a.m. Thanksgiving Day in Founders Square at Ninth and Main streets. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. The route incorporates a portion of the Hopkinsville Greenway.
A new Turkey Trot T-shirt is designed each year and sold online before the event. The shirts are $25 each. All sales will be in advance.
The Pennyrile Rail Trail Foundation started the Turkey Trot in 2002. Initially it raised money and awareness to support creating a recreational rail-trail along the U.S. Army’s old rail spur through Hopkinsville.
The original purpose of the Turkey Trot, to push for the creation of a rail-trail, was realized in 2013 when the city completed Phase I of the Hopkinsville Greenway. It runs 3.15 miles from the old river trail near North Drive up to Pardue Lane. Phase II, the 1.7-mile stretch from Pardue Lane to Foston Chapel Road, was completed just before Thanksgiving of 2020.
