10th annual Turkey Trot set for Thanksgiving morning

The 10th annual Turkey Trot is set for Thanksgiving morning on Thursday, November 24, at 9 a.m.

The 5km fun run/walk raises funds for the Ballard Food Bank with participants making their way over the course from Sunset Hill to Golden Gardens Park.

Last year, over 3,500 participants turned out for the trot, raising over $110,000 for the Ballard food Bank. This year’s organizers expect to close to 4,000 trotters to turn out next month.

Once again, Patrick and Kirby McDermott will turn out to lead the Trot dressed as turkey, or tofurkeys, for the vegetarians in the crowd.

“The work we do at the Ballard Food Bank is a community effort. The Turkey Trot is a great way for all of us to come together and run, walk, or trot for hunger. It’s also a fun event to kick off Thanksgiving with friends and family,” says Jen Muzia, Ballard Food Bank Executive Director.

The event was originally started by three local Ballardites Erin Fortier, Matt Ramme, and John O’Brien who traditionally ran with their families on Thanksgiving morning. “It was a way to spend time with family on the holidays and feel better about all the food we’d be eating for the rest of the day,” says Fortier.

Early registration is now open through the November 15. Early registration costs $25 for adults, $15 for children 10 and under.

Locals can register online from November 15 through November 22 for the same cost as day of registration which is $35 for adults, and $20 for children 10 and under. All proceeds go to the Ballard Food Bank.

Click here to register and find out more about the event.