Virtual 19th Annual Turkey Trot

Typically billed as Hoptown’s largest holiday social gathering, the 19th Annual Hopkinsville Turkey Trot 5K is going virtual in 2020.
In light of the pandemic and statewide recommendations regarding the outbreak of COVID-19, the popular fun run/walk will not officially be held, as it traditionally is, on Thanksgiving Day. In recent years, the Turkey Trot has drawn well over 1,000 people downtown.
By going virtual this year, the Trot will still allow participants to register and purchase an official Turkey Trot shirt, but the non-competitive, non-timed event will be completed on the respective terms of all involved. Virtual races allow runners/walkers to complete the 5K (3.1 miles) at any location, at any time.
Whether a jog on the home or gym treadmill, brisk walk on the neighborhood sidewalks or even a regular family outing on Thanksgiving morning on the Rail Trail, the Virtual Hopkinsville Turkey Trot will allow Trotters to complete the 5K in a safe fashion, and at their own pace.
No matter how participants enjoy the Trot, the use of masks and social distancing is heavily recommended.
“It’s becoming a common theme in 2020 for our popular local events to take on a slightly different look, so we are pleased to be able to offer a virtual version of the Turkey Trot this year,” said Hopkinsville Parks & Recreation Superintendent Tab Brockman. “We hope families and friends will still find safe ways to get together and stay fit this Thanksgiving, using the Trot to as a way to remain active while having an enjoyable time.”
Instead of the traditional Turkey Trot course, participants who wish to complete the run/walk downtown may use a Parks & Recreation-approved route. Visit https://tinyurl.com/2020TurkeyTrotVirtual to access a provided map. For safety purposes, this specific route is 100 percent on the Hopkinsville Greenway System Rail Trail. However, as a reminder, no Parks and Recreation officials will be overseeing the event this year.
Participants must register, using HoptownRec.com.
Additionally, the Hopkinsville Turkey Trot joins forces with the Christmas 5K Light Run (Clarksville) and Ugly Sweater Run (Fort Campbell) again this year in the Second Annual Tri-Cities Holiday Series, encouraging people from around the region to stay fit.
For more information on, or to sponsor the Hopkinsville Turkey Trot, call 270-887-4290 or check out details and updates on the Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation Facebook page.