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Welcome to the Official Site of The Y in Central Maryland Turkey Trot Charity 5K! We are excited to have you join us for this Thanksgiving morning tradition.

Adults, children and families from across the region come together to not only run (or walk, jog, stroll), but to raise funds so that children living in poverty in Central Maryland have access to Y programs that will forever shape their lives.

Thank you for being part of something good on Thanksgiving Morning!

Towson

We look forward to seeing you Thanksgiving morning for the 23rd year in Towson! Thank you for joining us in this healthy Thanksgiving morning tradition.


What: 5K Walk/Run

When: Thursday, November 23, 2017, 8:30am

Route: The Towson Turkey Trot Charity 5k starts at The Orokawa Y in Towson, runs through the streets of West Towson and Southland Hills and finishes back at The Orokawa Y.


Parking: Free for Turkey Trot participants until 11:30am at the Baltimore County Parking Garage (Baltimore Ave)



Packet Pick-up Times:
We strongly encourage you to pick up your packets in advance as lines on Thanksgiving morning can be long. You may pick up packets for friends and family, just have their first and last names.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Below are the answers to some other frequently asked questions for the Towson Y Turkey Trot Charity 5k. If you do not see your question answered below, please leave a comment for us and we will be sure to post an answer.

What am I supporting when I run? A portion of your registration fee and all of donations benefit The Y in Central Maryland, a charitable organization, which supports children in need across the region. Please read more about our cause HERE.

Are donations tax deductible? The Y in Central Maryland is designated as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Your contribution is tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation. For a copy of our current financial statement, please contact us at 303 W. Chesapeake Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21204 or 443-322-9622.

Do I have to be a Y member? No, all are welcome!

Can I walk (instead of run)? Of course. You are welcome to run, walk, trot, skip, just keep moving forward!

Are children welcome? Absolutely! Children six and under register for just $5! Youth ages seven through 17 register for $20!

Are dogs allowed? Yes! Dogs who are registered for the event will receive a 2016 Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K bandanna. Dogs do not have to register, but only those who register will receive a bandanna. We also ask that dogs who attend: are well socialized, well behaved, on leash at all times, and line up at the back of the pack.

Are strollers allowed? Yes! Strollers are permitted on the course; however, we ask that for safety reasons you line up at the back of the pack.

Do you have staff available to watch my kids while I complete the 5K? Yes, Stay and Play is available. You MUST have a photo ID with you and the same person who checks you child(ren) in must also be the one to pick them up.

Is there a family/group discount? Since this is a fundraiser for those in need, we do not discount registrations, BUT you can register as a team!


What if I can’t make it after I have registered and paid for the event? Your registration fee will not be refunded if you do not attend. Your fee helps families in Central Maryland that are in critical need of assistance.

Do I need to come to packet pick up or can I get my shirt and number the morning of the event? If it is necessary for you to pick up your packet the morning of the 5K, you can do so. We strongly encourage you to pick up your packet in advance to avoid standing in line the morning of the event.

Can I send someone to pick up my packet for me? Yes, that person will have to initial that they picked up your packet in case there is any question.

What if it rains? Y Turkey Trots are held rain or shine!

Where is the start/finish line? The 5K starts and finishes at The Orokawa Y in Towson.

What is the course?
  • Start on grounds of The Orokawa Y in Towson
  • Turn right on Allegheny Avenue and continue to Highland Avenue
  • Turn right on Highland Avenue and continue to West Chesapeake Avenue
  • Turn right West Chesapeake Avenue and continue to Dixie Drive
  • Turn left on Dixie Drive
  • Dixie Drive will become West Chesapeake Avenue
  • Follow West Chesapeake to Boyce Avenue
  • Turn right onto Charles Street and bear right onto Chestnut Avenue
  • Continue on Chestnut Avenue to Trafalgar Road
  • Turn right on Trafalgar Road and continue to Piccadilly Road
  • Turn right on Piccadilly Road and continue to Eton Road
  • Turn left on Eaton Road and continue to Allegheny Avenue
  • Follow Allegheny Avenue to Highland Avenue
  • Turn right on Highland Avenue and continue to West Chesapeake
  • Turn right on West Chesapeake and continue into the The Orokawa Y
What time should I arrive? If you are already registered, please plan to arrive at the event at least 30 minutes before start time (by 8:00 am). If you are registering on event day, please plan to arrive at least one hour before the 5K begins.

Where do I park? 
All parking for race participants and guests is FREE at the Baltimore Avenue garage. Continue on Chesapeake towards downtown Towson. Cross over Bosley Avenue. Turn right on Baltimore Avenue (first right). Turn left into parking garage. There will be no onsite parking for race participants.

Are there prizes? 
Yes – Medals will be awarded to the top three runners in each age group! Fundraising prizes will be awarded in the weeks following the event.

Is the race chip timed? Yes, all runners, except Children and dogs, are timed.

Where can I find the race results? Race results can be found on the Charm City Run website.

How do I get my t-shirt? You can pick up your t-shirt when you pick up your packet either at the packet pick up times or the day of the event. Remember that if you register 5K morning, you are not guaranteed a t-shirt.

What t-shirt size should I get? T-shirts are Adult Unisex and Tek fabric. The sizing is as follows: Small - 28 length, 18 width; Medium - 29 length, 20 width; Large - 30 length, 22 width, XLarge - 31 length, 24 width, 2XL - 32 length, 26 wide.

How can I volunteer the day of the event in Towson? Please sign up here.


Race Bib Numbers must be placed on front of shirt for finish line postings.

Smoking is NOT permitted on The Y in Central Maryland property or the 5K course.


If you have any other questions, please contact the The Orokawa Y in Towson or leave a comment and we will get you an answer. Keep checking back for updated information!

39 comments:

  1. Will there be food available to the runners after the race?

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    1. Hi Bobby - Thank you for the question! Yes there will be food available to runners after the race. The specifics are in the works, but there will be something healthy and satisfying for you. See you then!

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  2. Is there somewhere I can look for a map of the course?

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    1. Hi Andrew - We just loaded it, so you should now see it in the FAQs above. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you and see you soon!

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  3. I think I registered early for myself & two friends. How do I confirm our registration?

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    1. Hi - Thank you for signing up for the Towson Turkey Trot Charity 5K! First step would be to search your email for an email from Active.com, if that does not help please call 443-322-8031. Thank you!

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  4. Looking at your Map and two others I checked online the course seems too long, at about 3.3 miles instead of 3.12 miles for the 5k. In the past I thought the second time we turned down Highland instead of Central. This change makes the course much closer at 3.18 miles to the 5k.

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    1. Hi - Thank you for your interest and for the feedback! We are double checking with our race company to confirm the distance and will keep you updated.

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    2. We just walked it; one watch recorded 3.435 miles, and the other watch recorded 3.456. This was with the same starting and ending point, so subtract the length of the parking lot (plus or minus the effect of using sidewalks, walking on the left side of the street, etc etc). Looking forward to TDay!

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    3. Hi L and Atlhiker - Thank you for your input! We had the course listed incorrectly on the blog and have updated it above. It has been confirmed as the correct distance by our race timing company.

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  5. Can I pick up the race packages for everyone in my group? If we received an email reply that we are confirmed can I assume there will be race packages available when I go to pick up?

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    1. Thank you for registering for the Y's Turkey Trot Charity 5K! Yes, you may pick up race packets for other people. You will just be asked to sign for the packets you pick up, so if someone has a question, we are able to tell them who picked up their packet. Be sure to check out the race packet pick-up times above. Thank you!

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  6. I'll probably not be able to run more than a quarter of the 5K but I'm registering with a runner who'll definitely finish the whole 5K strong. Should I register as a "Walker" or "Runner" ? Will there be a different start?

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    1. Hi Celia - For the Towson Turkey Trot Charity 5K, the only difference between Walkers and Runners is the chip. Runners are timed, Walkers are not. If you want to be timed, please register as a Runner. Best of luck! Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

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  7. Hi: My child and I are representing the Evergreen Health team. I see our team listed, but are there pre-registration lists available with the names of the runners included? I thought there would be something other than the website ordering "at large" process. Thanks! Looking forward to the Turkey Trot!

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  8. Hi! Thank you for joining us! We are very excited to have Evergreen as the Title Sponsor and have so many of you coming out Thanksgiving morning. Yes - we have a special registration process for you and your team members, so please keep an eye out for an email from us next week!

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  9. Hi there. If the shirt I requested ends up being too small, will there be the opportunity to exchange sizes? Otherwise, is there a way I change my requested size ahead of time?
    Thanks.

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    1. Hi Adam! Thank you for registering for the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K in Towson! You may be able to exchange your shirt the day-of the event. We recommend you bring it with you on Thanksgiving morning and pay our wonderful volunteers at the t-shirt table a visit. If they have any left in your size (that morning), they would be happy to switch it out. You could also ask at packet pick-up. Thank you and see you soon!

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  10. Will children 7 and under receive race bibs and T-shirts even though they are free? Thank you!

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  11. What happens if you can't finish the course in the allotted time? My husband wants to walk our dog (while I run) but we're not sure she (the dog) can make it 3 miles as we normally walk her 2 miles or less at a time. Will there be any shortcuts?

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  12. Will there be any shortcuts available for those that cannot finish the course in the allotted time? My husband wants to walk our dog while I run but we're not sure the dog can make it 3 miles as we normally walk her 2 miles or less at a time.

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    1. Hi Lisa - Since the run is held in a neighborhood, there are multiple options for short cuts. You may find it helpful to print out the map of the race route above. Your pups are welcome, please just start at the back of the pack. See you Thanksgiving day!

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  13. Replies
    1. Hi - Thank you for the interest. This event is for walkers and runners. We hope you join us!

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  14. I missed the online registration. Do I register at the Y or Charm City? If I do that today can I still get my packet prior to race day to avoid the lines?

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    1. Registration is available at packet pick up. Yes! You will receive your packet when you register.

      Tuesday, November 24 - Charm City Run Timonium, 3 - 8 pm
      Wednesday, November 25 - The Orokawa Family Center Y, 10 am - 7 pm
      Thursday, November 26 -The Orokawa Family Center Y, 7 am

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  15. Do you have youth size shirts or do I chose adult small?

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    1. There is a Youth Large cotton option for all "CHILD" registrations. ADULT and YOUTH registrations may also choose Youth Large Cotton if they wish. Thank you!

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  16. Does or is the Towson Y offering a 5K Training Program? When you click on the link you get a "sorry" message ..

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    1. They do! Thanks for letting us know about the link.

      This 10-week program will prepare you for Turkey Trot or another event this fall. Programs start mid-September and meet weekly. It's a great way to stay motivated and committed to your training goals. Special edition short-sleeve training shirt included in registration fee!

      The Orokawa Y in Towson - Saturdays, starting September 17

      Register online by searching for "5K" in the "Search for programs by keyword" box: https://ymaryland.org/register

      If that does not work, please pop in or call the center and they will get you signed up so that you can start Saturday!

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  17. Can I pickup my teams race packets all at one time? I have out of town guests running and won't be here before Thursday. Any special ID needed?

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    1. Yes, you may pick up packets for friends and family. Please just have a list of their first and last names. Thank you and we will see you soon!

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    2. I also have one entry with foot problems. I am looking for a loaner wheelchair for the trot. Are there any for loan available at the Towson Y or close by?

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    3. Hi Cory - Unfortunately we do not have any wheelchairs available at the Y.

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  18. Hi! I registered today around lunch time under the email britneymalone54@gmail.com and I have not gotten my confirmation email my registration number is 5816083

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    1. Hi Britney - thank you for registering! It looks like when you signed up you forgot the "l" in "gmail", so we have updated your email address and resent your receipt. See you at packet pick up!

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  19. Will there be food available after the race?

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  20. Have the race times been posted? I am unable to open the link. Could you please post the link again?

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  21. Here is the race time link - http://results.charmcityrun.com/content/y-turkey-trot-charity-5k-towson

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