SMT Turkey Trot

Join us on Thanksgiving morning for the 21th Annual SMT Turkey Trot!

NEW THIS YEAR 

SMT Turkey Trot is partnering with Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg/Harrisburg to provide two additional packet pickup times! 

In addition to packet pickup at the New Cumberland Fire Hall on Wednesday, November 26th, packet pickup will be available on Monday, November 24th at Fleet Feet Harrisburg and Tuesday, November 25th at Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg.  Refer to the PRE-REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK UP section for more detailed information.

The SMT Turkey Trot is an event that is focused on family and fun. The race offers a 5K run or walk through the beautiful streets of New Cumberland. Refreshments and activities await you at the finish line.

We want to thank our sponsors for their generous support. Without them, we would not be able to help the families that are in need. Please patronize them and let them know you saw them here on our race page.  They can be found under the More → Sponsors tab at the top of this page.

In memory of Shirley Mae Taylor - The run is named after Shirley Mae Taylor who passed away in 2003 after a long, hard battle with cancer. The race is held in New Cumberland because she loved the town. Shirley worked at Coakley's restaurant for years, loved the West Shore Theater and the library, and never missed an Apple Festival. We hold this event on Thanksgiving morning because it was one of her favorite holidays and it emphasizes family and tradition.

All proceeds benefit Vickie's Angel Foundation - Vickie's Angel Foundation (VAF), Inc. is a non profit 501 (c)(3) with a mission of helping families who have difficulties paying bills due to their fights with cancer.  The goal is to alleviate monetary worries so they can focus on beating cancer and not finances.  VAF is a temporary bridge to move families from despair over how they are going to pay bills to focusing on love, faith, and hope.  Financial assistance is for both medical and non medical expenses, especially basic necessities. Examples are rent/mortgage payments, car expenses, food expenses, house heating expenses, co-pays, medical premiums, and prescriptions.  Please visit their website at:  http://www.vickiesangelwalk.org/.  Donations may also be made directly to Vickie's Angel Foundation by selecting the Donate tab at the top of this page.

EVENT INFORMATION

5K Run - The run begins and ends in the New Cumberland Borough Park.  A map of the course can be found here.

Cranberry Challenge - The Cranberry Challenge is a challenge WITHIN the Turkey Trot 5K. This family-friendly event will have you run to different stations where you will tackle fitness tests in order to continue in the race. Carrying odd objects, completing bodyweight exercises and moving weights will be a part of the obstacles you will have to overcome. The coaches from Chaka Crossfit in New Cumberland will be at each station to offer support and guidance. It's a great chance to increase calorie burn before you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner.

Participants receive an additional give-away, in addition to the 5K shirt.  

Top male and female finishers will win gift cards to Chaka Crossfit. This race is limited to 125 participants.

5K Walk -  The walk begins and ends in the New Cumberland Borough Park.  A map of the course for walkers can be found here. There is a separate start line for walkers. 

Strollers are welcome - Please position yourself at the back of the starting chute so you do not impede other participants.  There is one curb participants must cross.  A ramp is available on the left of the sidewalk before the curb.

Parking - Volunteers will be present to direct you to parking spaces.  Pedestrian access will be open at all times.

Age Groups & Awards - There are separate age groups for males and females according to the following age ranges:

8 - under
9 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 29
30 - 39
40 - 49
50 - 59
60 - 69
70 - over

The overall male and female winners receive a family-sized (15-18 lb.) turkey. Dessert prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age group. In an attempt to speed up the process of presenting awards, there will be no awards ceremony. If you think you won a prize, please check the results and report to the bandstand after 9:00 AM to claim your prize.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

5K (race field limited to 3,000 participants)

$30 - Early bird online registration through September 30, 2025 (no additional processing fee).

$35 - Online registration from October 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025.

$40 - Online registration from November 1, 2025 to November 20, 2025 (when online registration closes).

$45 - Packet pick-up day registration days (if limit of 3,000 participants not reached). Cash or check only!

CRANBERRY CHALLENGE (race field limited to 125 participants)

$40 - Early bird online registration through September 30, 2025 (no additional processing fee).

$45 - Online registration from October 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025

$50 - Online registration from November 1, 2025 to November 20, 2025 (when online registration closes).

$55 - Packet pick-up day registration days as follow: (if limit of 125 participants not reached). Cash or check only!

After online registration closes on November 20, 2025, you may register in person on November 24 at Fleet Feet Harrisburg, November 25 at Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg, or November 26, 2025 at the New Cumberland Fire Hall during packet pickup times outlined below.

** NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION ** 

PRE-REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK UP

Participants who have pre-registered may pick up their packets as follows:

Monday, November 24, 2025

Fleet Feet Harrisburg from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
4640 High Pointe Blvd, Suite A6, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
6416 Carlisle Pike, Suite 700, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

New Cumberland Fire Hall from noon to 6 p.m.
319 4th St, New Cumberland, PA 17070

Pick up is also available on race day from 6:45 to 7:45 AM at the New Cumberland Borough Park.

Pre-registered runners will receive long-sleeved unisex t-shirts. Shirts are not guaranteed for registrations received after November 6, 2025. Quantities are very limited after that so please register early. There are no refunds.  Shirt sizes are YOUTH large and YOUTH x-large. Unisex adult sizes are small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large. 

If the race limit of 3,000 has not been reached, participants who have not pre-registered may register at the packet pick up locations outlined above.  THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Entry fees entitle you to professional chip timing with accurate, prompt results and awards, post race refreshments, and random prizes (look for the redeemable feathers on the course).
• Walkers have their own start to alleviate course congestion.
• A professional DJ will be on hand to get you psyched before you run and then entertain you as you enjoy post race amenities.
• A pre-race stretch and warm-up at 7:30 AM.  Listen to the DJ for announcements and location.
• There will be a family and finisher photo station where you can have your picture taken by a professional photographer.  
• Get a feather on the course and win a prize!
• Post race refreshments.
• No awards ceremony!  If you think you won a prize, please check the results and report to the bandstand after 9:00 AM to claim it.
• Race results will be available on Falcon Race Timing website by November 27, 2025.
• The race will be timed by Falcon Race Timing using electronic chip timing.  Wear your bib on the front of your outermost layer and be sure to run through the start/finish arch.
• There is no rain date for this event and it will be held rain or shine.  In the unlikely event that a severe blizzard or storm forces the closing of roads, we will be forced to cancel the race.  Unfortunately, we are not able to provide refunds.  Since this is a charity event, we appreciate your understanding.
• We do not facilitate bib transfers.  
• Due to the large amount of participants at our event, we highly discourage dogs on the course. This is for the safety of the participants and the dogs.