Sign-ups now open for 15th annual Ballard Turkey Trot

The annual Seattle Turkey Trot is coming up next month, with sign-ups now open.

The Turkey Trot has historically been one of the biggest events in Ballard, with thousands of runners and walkers showing up for the Thanksgiving Day trot. The event will be held virtually again this year due to the pandemic.

Early-bird registration is now open for the virtual race; if you sign up before Oct. 30, the price will be $35 for all the race swag, or $15 if you just want the bib. After Oct. 30 and before Nov. 23, registration will be $40 for the swag and $20 for just the bib.

The Turkey Trot is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Ballard Food Bank.

Three Ballardites started the Turkey Trot in 2007; they wanted to run on Thanksgiving morning to “counteract the large quantities of food that would be consumed later in the day,” the Turkey Trot website reads.

The first year, just 30 people showed up; all were family and friends of the three founding trotters. The next year, 200 people joined in, and they started raising money for the food bank. In recent years, the trot has attracted more than 5,000, and it’s now hosted by the Ballard Food Bank.

“Now, on our 15th anniversary, the trot continues in a modified format as we adapt to a world with COVID. The Turkey Trot is now virtual, and hosts a plethora of family-friendly activities for all to enjoy,” the website reads. “In this way, the trot is able to stretch out and embrace neighbors in cities around the world who may not normally be able to attend!”

Photo: Seattle Turkey Trot