The 15th Annual Newtown Turkey Trot to benefit C.H. Booth Library will take place on Thanksgiving Day, November 28. The event offers the opportunity for all ages and fitness levels to kick off their Thanksgiving Day by participating in a 5K run/walk or 2.5K (1.6 mile) fitness walk.

The community event has annually attracted over 1,500 participants in recent years. It will again start from and finish at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, beginning at 7:45 am. The race follows routes introduced in 2019, a USTF certified course fully within the Borough that is mostly flat with a few gentle hills while it loops through neighborhoods near the school.

The update five years ago eliminated the Schoolhouse Hill Road hill.

Registration is $45 per person until November 20, $50 after that. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/CT/Newtown/NewtownTurkeyTrot.

Entry fees for groups of four are now $160 until November 20, $180 November 21-28.

There will be a registration fee charged online in addition to the race fee.

Final registration will close at 7:15 am race day.

Race packet pickup, race check-in, bib and T-shirt collection sessions are planned for Tuesday, November 26, 4-7:30 pm, and Wednesday, November 27, 10 am-2 pm, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

New this year, organizers are asking participants to bring donations for FAITH Food Pantry with them to the race packet pickup sessions. Breakfast foods — peanut butter, jams, granola bars, oatmeal, cereal, pancake mix, syrups etc — are requested.

Day-of race check-in and bib pickup (but not T-shirt collection) will be available 6:30-7:15 am at the middle school. Registered runners must collect their race packet containing their race bib before the race begins.

The start (scheduled for 7:45 am) may be staggered to avoid participants gathering too closely. If this occurs, race results shall be based on each participant’s net chip time.

All planning to participate in the Turkey Trot should note that no dogs or other animals are permitted, in the interest of both racer and pet safety.

Organizers plan for a post race awards ceremony where overall and age-group winners will collect prizes.

Awards will be available after the race near the finish area. If not collected, they will be made available for collection from the library at a later date or mailed. Results will be streamed during the event to the runsignup website.

The Newtown Turkey Trot provides essential funds to maintain the library and provide programming initiatives. Funds raised through the annual event support C.H. Booth Library’s mission to promote the joy of lifelong learning, stimulate curiosity, support the exchange of ideas, and provide a welcoming gathering place.