Ralphie from A Christmas StoryThe Cleveland Turkey Trot has come a long way since 600 people gathered for its inaugural race in 1982. This Thanksgiving, organizers are hoping to welcome a record number of participants, walkers, families, and four-legged friends downtown as the annual holiday tradition celebrates a milestone.

The 45th Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot takes place Thursday, Nov. 26, with a 1-mile walk, 5K, and 5-mile race beginning at Public Hall, 500 Lakeside Ave. The event, presented by Cleveland State University Recreation and Viking Public House, has become a Thanksgiving morning tradition for thousands of Clevelanders.

"We're really looking to have our biggest year ever," says Adam Petrovic, race manager with Hermes Sports & Events. "Last year was pretty darn close to being our biggest year ever with over 9,600 people registered. So we're pushing for 10,000 to come downtown and come celebrate Thanksgiving morning with us."

Since its beginnings in the Cleveland Metroparks, the Turkey Trot has grown into a major gathering. Over the years, the race moved to Burke Lakefront Airport, the Galleria at Erieview, and its current home at Public Hall.

Petrovic says the event attracts a mix of competitive runners, casual walkers, families, and people who make the race part of their annual Thanksgiving plans. Many participants have become familiar faces, including Cleveland transplants and former residents who return to the area for the holiday.

"We see a lot of the same people, a lot of the same costumes every year, and it's a blast down there," he says.

Dogs are welcome, too—in fact, the pets may be among the most popular attractions—although organizers encourage participants with pets to start toward the back of the crowd to avoid tripping hazards as the race gets underway.

Gingerbread ManA reunion of sorts
Petrovic says one of the best parts of the Turkey Trot is seeing thousands of people come together downtown before heading off to celebrate with family and friends.

"This will be my 13th Turkey Trot," he says. "I look forward to just the collective joy that comes with getting 9,000 plus people downtown."

That feeling starts before the races even begin—it builds as participants gather and make their way to the starting line. Petrovic says there's something special about seeing the crowd fall silent for the national anthem before the music kicks back in and runners head out.

In addition to the racers, more than 100 volunteers help make the event possible each year, with volunteers coming from charitable organizations that benefit from the race.

Petrovic says he especially enjoys joining the volunteers at the finish line, where participants receive their medals, food, and water.

“Just being able to say, ‘Happy Thanksgiving, thanks for running and here's your medal,’” he says of his favorite moments. “You get so many smiles.”

To add to the fun, some familiar Cleveland personalities keep the beats high. Cleveland Cavaliers mascot Sir C.C. helps kick off the event, while DJ Kyro, the Cleveland Guardians' in-house DJ, serves as emcee and keeps the energy going.

Giving back on Thanksgiving
Charitable giving has been part of the Turkey Trot for about 10 years, Petrovic says. The race partners with local organizations that send race volunteers in exchange for fundraising opportunities and donations from the running community.

Dogs are welcomed at Turkey Trot.Among the organizations involved are the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services, and Blood Cancer United.

Turkey Trot participants can bring canned goods and nonperishable food items on race morning. Organizers then distribute those donations to St. Augustine's Church in Tremont and the West Side Catholic Center.

"It's something we've been doing for years,” Petrovic says of the food donations. “We've had this charity aspect for, probably, the past 10 years because Thanksgiving is about giving and that's really important to us."

The partnership with CSU Rec and Viking Public House is in its second year. Both organizations serve as title sponsors and help with promotion and logistics, including hosting early packet pickup at both organizations’ facilities.

“They've been a huge part in helping us pull off the race every year that we've had them," Petrovic says. “They're a great partner.”

Enjoying the 2024 Turkey Trot.A little friendly competition
The Turkey Trot hands out medals for the top participants in the 5K and 5-mile races, including overall winners and awards by age group.

The top five male and female finishers in each race group will receive pumpkin pies upon crossing the finish line, while age-group winners receive commemorative race coffee mugs.

Even the 1-mile walk has a sweet finish. The first male and female participants to cross the finish line also receive pumpkin pies, Petrovic says, adding that they have about 22 pies ready to hand out this year.

Dress for the occasion
For many Turkey Trotters, the best part of the day is dressing up, or dressing up their dogs, for the races.

For the third year in a row, FreshWater Cleveland will be sponsoring the Turkey Trot Costume Contest for race participants and their pets who choose to “dress” for the event.

The costume contest winners will be selected in three categories—individual, group, and pet. Stay tuned for more information and don’t forget to take plenty of photos to submit for a chance to win a variety of prizes!

FreshWater readers will be able to vote for their favorite costumes and help choose the winners!

It will tough to squash last year’s winning entrants, all of whom were well-dressed birds!

Turkeys on the run.Getting ready to trot
Turkey Trot registration is open and will stay open through the start of the race—giving even last-minute participants a down-to-the-wire opportunity to join.

The 1-mile walk begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by the 5-mile and 5K races at 9:30 a.m.

Participants can pick up race packets early at several locations around the area, with pickup beginning on Monday, Nov. 16.

For more information, registration, and race-day details, visit the Cleveland Turkey Trot website.