About the Event
Welcome Back, Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trotters! We’re excited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot Presented by Penn State Health! This year, we’re once again offering both in-person and virtual race options, so you can join us on Thanksgiving morning from wherever you are. Whether you’re a longtime Turkey Trotter or joining us for the first time, we can’t wait to celebrate with our family, friends and neighbors. Lace up, get moving and make Thanksgiving morning a little more fun while supporting the Carlisle Family YMCA and our community! Please read the information below carefully and make sure you select the in-person or virtual option that’s right for you. Thank you for making the Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot, presented by Penn State Health, Central PA’s premier Thanksgiving Day tradition! Check out highlights from last year's race! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PIib_oHAm8 LIVE RACE INFO The 5K race starts at 9am sharp on Thanksgiving Day. Please arrive early as downtown parking is limited. Plenty of parking is available 2 blocks away at Walmart. The race starts and finishes at the Carlisle Family YMCA - 311 S West St, Carlisle. LIVE EVENT REGISTRATION FEATURES Comes with a guaranteed shirt if you register by Nov 5 at 11:45pm Want a FREE entry? Forward your registration link to others via email or on social media. When they register with your link, your entry gets cheaper (up to a free entry)! Spread the word with your confirmation link. Kids Zone by Common Sense Adoption & Foster Care Services includes fun activities for kids Shoe collection for Green Sneakers. Bring your gently used shoes (adult sizes 6-11) to packet pickup or on race day. Bring your used glasses / sunglasses / reading glasses to packet pickup or on race day. The Lions Club will use your donations to provide usable eyeglasses to children and adults throughout the world! We're once again partnering with Project SHARE to help feed the hungry. Bring canned protein (tuna, salmon, corned beef, chicken breast, turkey, etc.) to packet pick-up or the morning of the race. Or text yturkeytrot to 44321 to make an easy online donation. TUCKEY TEAM AWARDS The Tuckey Companies Golden Forks are back! Once again there are two Golden Forks up for grabs. Create a team for a chance to win the Business/Organization division (must use business/organization name as team name) or the Family & Friends division. The forks go to the teams with the most registered participants at Nov 22 at 11:45pm. The Golden Forks are the perfect addition to anyone’s living room or office (not recommended to use to eat turkey). Get your co-workers, friends or family and create a team today. P.S. We also give a prize for the most creative team name (selected by Y staff). COURSE MAP https://www.raceentry.com/race/carlisle-family-ymca-turkey-trot-5k/map/create/58572 RESULTS Online: https://carlislefamilyymca.org/programs/health-fitness/races/carlisle-family-ymca-turkey-trot/ At the Race: Click the QR code on the race result boards to get real time results or click this link: https://bit.ly/3L9YI1Q Underneath the Volvo Construction Equipment Race Result Board Banner WEATHER POLICY The race will be held rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather conditions the race will be cancelled and entry fees will be viewed as a charitable donation to benefit the mission of the Carlisle Family YMCA*. If the event is cancelled it will be posted at www.carlislefamilyymca.org before 6:30am on race day, and if you signed up for the text alert system during registration you will be notified that way. *Race proceeds benefit the Carlisle Family YMCA's commitment to strengthen youth development, healthy living and social responsibility in our community. REGISTRATION INFO Register by: Friday, Oct. 31 at 11:45pm to choose no shirt, long-sleeve performance shirt or hoodie options and pay the lowest race prices Thursday, Nov. 5 at 11:45pm to guarantee a long-sleeve performance shirt A limited quantity of long-sleeve performance shirts for those who register after Nov. 5 at 11:45pm are available during packet pick-up on a first come, first served basis. No extra sweatshirts are available. If you want a sweatshirt you must register by Oct. 31. All registrations received after 11:45pm on Monday, Nov 23 are considered Last Minute Registration and charged the race day registration rate. PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!!!! Race day registration is available from 7-8am. Transfer of registration to another party is not permitted. PACKET PICKUP For your convenience race packets are available for pickup at the Carlisle Family YMCA Nov 24 & 25 from 6am to 7pm, as well as 6:45-8am on race day. If you can't pick your packet up prior to race day, please ask a family member or friend to pick it up for you. It is highly recommended that your packet is picked up BEFORE race day. SAFETY NOTICES For the safety of all participants please do not bring any pets with you to the race, whether you are a participant or spectator. The Carlisle Family YMCA discourages the use of headphones/iPods as it can affect your ability to hear race instructions from volunteers. AWARDS 5K Run prizes go to the Overall Male & Female Winners as well as the 1st- and 2nd-place male and female finishers in the following divisions: 12 & under 13-16 17-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80 & up Awards are available for pickup at Appalachian Running Company Carlisle from Nov 27 - Dec 3. Any awards not claimed by Dec 3 will be mailed. VIRTUAL RACE INFO This year’s virtual race starts Sunday, Nov 22 and ends at 11:59pm Thursday, Nov 26. You can choose from three different distances: 1 mile, 5K or 10K. VIRTUAL RACE FEATURES $15 registration fee Want a FREE entry? Share your registration link via email or on social media. When anyone registers with your link, your entry gets cheaper (up to a free entry)! Spread the word with your confirmation link. VIRTUAL REGISTRATION DOES NOT INCLUDE A RACE SHIRT and there is no opportunity to purchase one. RESULTS Upload your results to the race website at any time by following the directions in your confirmation email. That is where you also can print your Race Bib (sponsored by Bobby Rahal Automotive Group) and print out your Finishers Certificate (sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment). You also can see live race results as people upload their times here: https://www.raceentry.com/results/carlisle-family-ymca-turkey-trot-5k/view/2026?c=undefined You also can access this link directly through your confirmation email within the "Manage Your Registration" tab. 5K TRAINING PROGRAMS Never walked or run a 5K before? No worries—we’ve got you covered! Our 8-week 5K training programs are designed to help you build confidence, get moving and cross that finish line. Choose the Walk or Run training program below to get started! Walk: https://carlislefamilyymca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TT_Couchto5K_26-WALK.pdf Run: https://carlislefamilyymca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TT_Couchto5K_26-RUN.pdf Tag Carlisle Family YMCA and use #CarlisleTurkeyTrot when you post your awesome race photos! THANK YOU SPONSORS! Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor: PENN STATE HEALTH And thanks to our Supporting Sponsors & Friends of the Trot: WellSpan Health, Volvo Construction Equipment, The Dave Hooke Team - Keller Williams of Central PA, Carlisle Buick GMC, Plant Site Logistics, Bobby Rahal Automotive Group, UPMC Carlisle, Common Sense Adoption & Foster Care Services, Carlisle Core Fitness & Health, Appalachian Running Company, Dyndes Media Inc., Casses Chiropractic Clinic, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Property Management Inc., Diamond Wealth Advisors, Allen Distribution, Cohick & Associates, Brightspeed, 2 Generations Silk Screening and Embroidery, Giant, The Tuckey Companies, Walters Services, Joseph M. Bourdon Family Dentistry, Phoenix Physical Therapy, Fox Pest Control, Briggson Building Company, Rupp & Sons Excavating and Landscaping and Strouse Entertainment. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR SIGNATURE Y RACE EVENT!
