14th annual North Reading Turkey Trot is fast approaching!

THE NEW 5K Turkey Trot route starts and ends inside Ipswich River Park. Runners turn right onto Central St., right onto Park St., continue through the center of town, turn right at Nan’s Cafe and right onto Mt. Vernon St.; right onto Woodland Dr.; left onto Larchmont Rd.; right onto Mt. Vernon St.; left onto Haverhill St. at Trinity Church; and right onto the Haverhill St. footpath into IRP, passing the softball field back toward the finish line. (Map courtesy of Hornet HOF Committee)

NORTH READING — It’s Backkkk! Just four weeks away! What has become the traditional start to the Thanksgiving Day festivities, the North Reading 5K Turkey Trot returns on Thursday, November 23, at 8 a.m.

This year marks the 14-year anniversary of this family-friendly event that hosts more than 1,500 participants in a 5K race or 1.75-mile walk.

“The North Reading Hornet Hall of Fame will continue to host the race in town before the annual high school football game, hoping for a dry day. It’s a wonderful family tradition for many and is now so popular, we have had to close registration well before race day the past three years at the cap of 1,500 runners! It is an amazing event supported by residents and businesses,” said Kirsten MacLellan, co-director of the race along with Joe Davis.

NEW COURSE ROUTES!

Both the 5K course and walk course have been changed due to the Chestnut Street closure. The run and walk will start at the same time as usual but will begin and end inside the parking lot of Ipswich River Park (IRP).

From the starting line, the participants will head toward the main entrance/exit of IRP and turn right onto Central Street, heading toward Park Street. The 5K runners will follow the usual course through the center of town. The walkers will turn right at Ryer’s to head south on Haverhill Street, then turn into the back section of IRP via the path on Haverhill Street. Walkers will turn to the left inside the park and return to the start/finish line along the path that passes by the tennis courts.

The 5K runners will continue east on Park Street toward Mt. Vernon Street. Turning right onto Mt Vernon Street, runners will proceed to Woodland Drive, turn right and go around the block, taking a left onto Larchmont Road and a right back onto Mt. Vernon Street. They will proceed to the end of Mt. Vernon Street where they will turn left onto Haverhill Street (Trinity Evangelical Church is on the corner) and head south along Haverhill Street. They will enter the back section of IRP via the path on Haverhill Street and turn right heading back to the start/finish line via the path that passes the softball field.

The event will take place rain, shine, or snow and starts promptly at 8 a.m. Overall winners will receive the Frederick A. Keyes Memorial Award on race day. Age group winners will be mailed gift certificates.

All funds raised at the event are used for the Frederick A. Keyes scholarships for two graduating NRHS student athletes who have participated in the school’s running programs as well as equipment and supplies not covered by normal funds relating to sports in the public schools.

The elementary school challenge has changed to provide each school the opportunity to earn funds for their fitness programs. Each school must have 20 percent of its student body participate on race day to receive funds for their own physical education program supplies. Schools can earn extra points for each participant who finishes first, second or third in their respective age groups.

Age categories are: 10 and under; 11-13; 14-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; and 70 and over.

WALKERS participating in the 1.75-mile Turkey Trot will follow a new route this year, due to the closure of Chestnut at Park Street. The walk starts and ends inside Ipswich River Park. Walkers will turn right onto Central St.; right onto Park St.; right onto Haverhill St. (at Ryer’s) and turn right into the back section of IRP via the path on Haverhill St. Walkers will turn left inside the park, passing the tennis courts and head back to the finish line. (Map courtesy of Hornet HOF Committee)

ENTRY FEES

Save money on entry fees by registering by Sunday, November 5. Fees increase by $5 on November 6. Student entry fee is $20 ($25 Nov. 6 or later); adult entry fee is $30 ($35 Nov. 6 or later); and the family entry fee (4 people maximum) is $70 ($75 Nov. 6 or later).

To register go to www.northreadingturkeytrot.com

Strollers are welcome but please leave dogs and bikes at home.

FOOD DRIVE

As part of the commitment to the community, all runners will be asked to bring non-perishable food to pre-race bib number pick-up to be donated to the North Reading Food Pantry to assist them during the holiday season. This food drive is sponsored by the North Reading Middle School Early-Act Club and will be held in the school’s cafeteria on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 4-7 p.m.

Not only has the race grown, so has the interest in sponsoring it. This year commitments have been made by Farrelly Realty Group, SourcePak, Marathon Sports, Horseshoe Grille, the Keyes Family, Aesthetic Dentistry, China Cuisine, CDG Realty & Renovation, Lady Di’s Barbershop, Reading Gymnastics Academy, Denaro Chiropractic, Joker’s Wild, North Reading Diamond Club, North Reading Knights of Columbus, the Carucci family, Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy, and Kitty’s Restaurant. Joining us for the first time as sponsors are Por-Shun, Pizza Goddess and True North Realty, and providing sound and music for our event will be local business “nuimage Entertainment”

As a sponsor, your company name is displayed at the race, and it is also prominently displayed on 1,700 long sleeve performance shirts that are seen year round all over the Greater Boston area.

To learn more about the race or to register, check out www.northreadingturkeytrot.com.