Northfield Rotary Turkey Trot

Post-event update:

It was wonderful to see everyone at the Turkey Trot! What an event! 1000+ people gathered with friends and family for a great cause. It is truly heartwarming to be a part of something so special in Northfield as the Turkey Trot.

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Turkey Trot T-shirt

Those who register before Friday, Nov. 8, are guaranteed a commemorative, long-sleeve Turkey Trot T-shirt. Registrations will remain open until race time Thanksgiving morning, but T-shirts will only be included while they last. Note: pictured image is of 2024 design.

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EVENT DETAILS

The 2024 Northfield Rotary Rotary Turkey Trot is back! It Is an excellent way to get out, exercise, and support two local causes before celebrating Thanksgiving.

All proceeds benefit the Northfield Rotary Youth Exchange Program and polio eradication worldwide. This event is also a food drive to support the Northfield Food Shelf.

Start time: 9:00 (same-day registration opens at 8:00)

Location: Weitz Center, Carleton College, 320 3rd St E, Northfield, MN 55057

To limit congestion on race day, we will distribute shirts to registered teams (groups of 3+) on Wednesday night from 5:30-7:00. During the registration process, there is a field to enter a team name. The same team name can be used by all the people in your group when registering at different times. A team 'captain' will pick up and distribute the shirts to the entire group.

This is a chip-timed event and recognition will be given to the top male and female finishers.

This is a stroller and dog-friendly event. All dogs must be on a leash, children are optional.

Registration includes a long-sleeve t-shirt for all entries received before Friday November 8, 2024.

Information & Questions contact turkeytrot@northfieldrotary.org

Now in its 24th year, the 5K run/walk is a Thanksgiving tradition for Northfield households, an unofficial homecoming for the 1,000 plus folks who want to connect with old friends and neighbors. The Turkey Trot gives people an opportunity to express their gratitude by running or walking for a good cause. Funds raised at the Turkey Trot will support Rotary’s ongoing work with its youth exchange program and polio eradication. It also contributes to local and international service projects the club initiates.

Jim Loe, chair of Rotary’s Turkey Trot event, said this event has become one of the community’s signature events.

“You’ll see lots of hugs and hear a lot of catching up before and during the run/walk. There is always a lot of positive energy here,” Loe said.

The Turkey Trot, a chip-timed event, will begin at Carleton College Weitz Center, 320 Third Street East, at 9 a.m. The course winds through the northeast section of town, north to south along Spring Creek Road and back towards the church along Woodley, Seventh Street, Winona and Third.

The cost of the race is $30. Those who register online by Friday, Nov. 8, are guaranteed an official long-sleeve Turkey Trot T-shirt. Runners and walkers can sign up after that online or in-person at the Weitz Center on the day of the race, beginning at 8 a.m.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to bring their dogs to the event. Kids in strollers are welcome to ride along with their parents.

For those who will not be in town the day of the event, there is a “free-range” option. You can show your solidarity with Rotary and its goals by staging your own 5K with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day and upload a photo or video of your experience. Registration for the “free-range” run is also due by Friday, Nov. 8.

Looking back on 2023

CLICK FOR 2023 RACE RESULTS

Thanks to all of our runners and walkers who made the 23rd annual Northfield Rotary Turkey Trot a great success.

More than 1,200 people took part in Northfield’s unofficial homecoming and helped raise funds for our Youth Exchange Program, Polio Plus and both local and international service projects.

Congratulations to our race winners: Brian Goodell of Northfield, first in the Men’s Division at 16:29.9, and Emi Trost of Hastings in the Women’s Division at 17.52.5. Both have bragging rights until Thanksgiving of next year.

And congratulations to Jim Pokorney, the first Northfield Rotarian to cross the finish line. He claimed the 113^th spot in the men’s division with a time of 27.54.

We want to extend a special thank you to our business sponsors who continue to be so supportive of this event.

Past Event Details

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“We are delighted to have the opportunity to hold this event once again.

It is a great community-builder and a great fundraiser for Rotary. It will be wonderful to see people having fun and contributing to Rotary’s service work.”

- Jim Loe, Chair of the 2024 Turkey Trot