KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Before families gobble down Thanksgiving meals, runners will fill downtown Knoxville for an annual event that supports a nonprofit supporting children in need across East Tennessee.
The annual Turkey Trot is set to kick off from the Mill and Mine and end in the same place, taking runners down Gay Street and across the Henley Street bridge before turning around on the Gay Street bridge and returning to the bar and event space.
Organizers with the Knoxville Track Club said the 5K race is expected to bring out more than 3,500 runners. While walkers are welcome at the race, organizers said they could not allow dogs, bikes, or rollerblades due to insurance regulations. The course will close an hour and 15 minutes after the race starts at 8:30 a.m.
Registration ends five minutes before the race starts, and anyone who wants to participate can register for $35. Organizers are also hosting a short kid's run from 8 a.m. through 8:25 a.m. and registration costs $10.
Runners could pick up their packets at The Mill and Mine on Wednesday, from 12 p.m. through 6:15 p.m. They can also pick up packets there between 6:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.
KTC said the results of the race would be posted online. Members of the track club are eligible for Grand Prix points through the race.
Refreshments will also be served after the race, but there will not be a water stop for runners on the course.
The race supports Variety East Tennessee, a nonprofit that supports organizations serving at-risk children like the Emerald Youth Foundation, the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Tennessee School for the Deaf, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Clubs throughout East Tennessee.