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Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K
Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K Race Description
Welcome Back, Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trotters!
We’re excited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot Presented by Penn State Health! This year, we’re once again offering both in-person and virtual race options, so you can join us on Thanksgiving morning from wherever you are.
Whether you’re a longtime Turkey Trotter or joining us for the first time, we can’t wait to celebrate with our family, friends and neighbors. Lace up, get moving and make Thanksgiving morning a little more fun while supporting the Carlisle Family YMCA and our community!
Please read the information below carefully and make sure you select the in-person or virtual option that’s right for you.
Thank you for making the Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot, presented by Penn State Health, Central PA’s premier Thanksgiving Day tradition!
Check out highlights from last year's race! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PIib_oHAm8
LIVE RACE INFO
The 5K race starts at 9am sharp on Thanksgiving Day. Please arrive early as downtown parking is limited. Plenty of parking is available 2 blocks away at Walmart.
The race starts and finishes at the Carlisle Family YMCA - 311 S West St, Carlisle.
LIVE EVENT REGISTRATION FEATURES
- Comes with a guaranteed shirt if you register by Nov 5 at 11:45pm
- Want a FREE entry? Forward your registration link to others via email or on social media. When they register with your link, your entry gets cheaper (up to a free entry)! Spread the word with your confirmation link.
- Kids Zone by Common Sense Adoption & Foster Care Services includes fun activities for kids
- Shoe collection for Green Sneakers. Bring your gently used shoes (adult sizes 6-11) to packet pickup or on race day.
- Bring your used glasses / sunglasses / reading glasses to packet pickup or on race day. The Lions Club will use your donations to provide usable eyeglasses to children and adults throughout the world!
- We're once again partnering with Project SHARE to help feed the hungry. Bring canned protein (tuna, salmon, corned beef, chicken breast, turkey, etc.) to packet pick-up or the morning of the race. Or text yturkeytrot to 44321 to make an easy online donation.
TUCKEY TEAM AWARDS
The Tuckey Companies Golden Forks are back! Once again there are two Golden Forks up for grabs. Create a team for a chance to win the Business/Organization division (must use business/organization name as team name) or the Family & Friends division. The forks go to the teams with the most registered participants at Nov 22 at 11:45pm. The Golden Forks are the perfect addition to anyone’s living room or office (not recommended to use to eat turkey). Get your co-workers, friends or family and create a team today. P.S. We also give a prize for the most creative team name (selected by Y staff).
COURSE MAP
https://www.raceentry.com/race/carlisle-family-ymca-turkey-trot-5k/map/create/58572
RESULTS
Online:
At the Race:
- Click the QR code on the race result boards to get real time results or click this link: https://bit.ly/3L9YI1Q
- Underneath the Volvo Construction Equipment Race Result Board Banner
WEATHER POLICY
The race will be held rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather conditions the race will be cancelled and entry fees will be viewed as a charitable donation to benefit the mission of the Carlisle Family YMCA*. If the event is cancelled it will be posted at www.carlislefamilyymca.org before 6:30am on race day, and if you signed up for the text alert system during registration you will be notified that way.
*Race proceeds benefit the Carlisle Family YMCA's commitment to strengthen youth development, healthy living and social responsibility in our community.
REGISTRATION INFO
Register by:
- Friday, Oct. 31 at 11:45pm to choose no shirt, long-sleeve performance shirt or hoodie options and pay the lowest race prices
- Thursday, Nov. 5 at 11:45pm to guarantee a long-sleeve performance shirt
A limited quantity of long-sleeve performance shirts for those who register after Nov. 5 at 11:45pm are available during packet pick-up on a first come, first served basis. No extra sweatshirts are available. If you want a sweatshirt you must register by Oct. 31.
All registrations received after 11:45pm on Monday, Nov 23 are considered Last Minute Registration and charged the race day registration rate. PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!!!!
Race day registration is available from 7-8am.
Transfer of registration to another party is not permitted.
PACKET PICKUP
For your convenience race packets are available for pickup at the Carlisle Family YMCA Nov 24 & 25 from 6am to 7pm, as well as 6:45-8am on race day. If you can't pick your packet up prior to race day, please ask a family member or friend to pick it up for you.
It is highly recommended that your packet is picked up BEFORE race day.
SAFETY NOTICES
- For the safety of all participants please do not bring any pets with you to the race, whether you are a participant or spectator.
- The Carlisle Family YMCA discourages the use of headphones/iPods as it can affect your ability to hear race instructions from volunteers.
AWARDS
5K Run prizes go to the Overall Male & Female Winners as well as the 1st- and 2nd-place male and female finishers in the following divisions:
- 12 & under
- 13-16
- 17-19
- 20-24
- 25-29
- 30-34
- 35-39
- 40-44
- 45-49
- 50-54
- 55-59
- 60-64
- 65-69
- 70-74
- 75-79
- 80 & up
Awards are available for pickup at Appalachian Running Company Carlisle from Nov 27 - Dec 3. Any awards not claimed by Dec 3 will be mailed.
VIRTUAL RACE INFO
This year’s virtual race starts Sunday, Nov 22 and ends at 11:59pm Thursday, Nov 26. You can choose from three different distances: 1 mile, 5K or 10K.
VIRTUAL RACE FEATURES
- $15 registration fee
- Want a FREE entry? Share your registration link via email or on social media. When anyone registers with your link, your entry gets cheaper (up to a free entry)! Spread the word with your confirmation link.
- VIRTUAL REGISTRATION DOES NOT INCLUDE A RACE SHIRT and there is no opportunity to purchase one.
RESULTS
Upload your results to the race website at any time by following the directions in your confirmation email. That is where you also can print your Race Bib (sponsored by Bobby Rahal Automotive Group) and print out your Finishers Certificate (sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment).
You also can see live race results as people upload their times here: https://www.raceentry.com/results/carlisle-family-ymca-turkey-trot-5k/view/2026?c=undefined
You also can access this link directly through your confirmation email within the "Manage Your Registration" tab.
5K TRAINING PROGRAMS
Never walked or run a 5K before? No worries—we’ve got you covered! Our 8-week 5K training programs are designed to help you build confidence, get moving and cross that finish line. Choose the Walk or Run training program below to get started!
- Walk: https://carlislefamilyymca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TT_Couchto5K_26-WALK.pdf
- Run: https://carlislefamilyymca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TT_Couchto5K_26-RUN.pdf
Tag Carlisle Family YMCA and use #CarlisleTurkeyTrot when you post your awesome race photos!
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor:
PENN STATE HEALTH
And thanks to our Supporting Sponsors & Friends of the Trot: WellSpan Health, Volvo Construction Equipment, The Dave Hooke Team - Keller Williams of Central PA, Carlisle Buick GMC, Plant Site Logistics, Bobby Rahal Automotive Group, UPMC Carlisle, Common Sense Adoption & Foster Care Services, Carlisle Core Fitness & Health, Appalachian Running Company, Dyndes Media Inc., Casses Chiropractic Clinic, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Property Management Inc., Diamond Wealth Advisors, Allen Distribution, Cohick & Associates, Brightspeed, 2 Generations Silk Screening and Embroidery, Giant, The Tuckey Companies, Walters Services, Joseph M. Bourdon Family Dentistry, Phoenix Physical Therapy, Fox Pest Control, Briggson Building Company, Rupp & Sons Excavating and Landscaping and Strouse Entertainment.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR SIGNATURE Y RACE EVENT!
Get ready for the Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K
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Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K Where & When
- Location: 311 South West Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
- Race Date: 2026/11/26 09:00:00 AM (Thursday)
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Categories:
- 5 & Under No Shirt FREE Entry
- Virtual 5K
- Virtual 10K
- Virtual 1 Mile
- 5 & Under Performance Shirt
- 6-12 Performance Shirt
- 6-12 Hooded Sweatshirt
Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K Sponsors
Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K Reviews
Led by Jay Cattron the annual Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot was again an outstanding community event. As in previous years the Y staff, volunteers, and sponsors went "all out" to create a memorable tradition. Thank you!
Jim C.
1/1 found this review helpful.
Wonderful time! Thanks for everything you all do to bring this all together for our town. Itβs a great tradition and way to start off Thanksgivings.
has attended 3 times
The Carlisle YMCA Turkey Trot has become a fun family tradition on Thanksgiving! Always a well organized & run event: from ease of registration to packet pickup, race day operations including DJ, course & post race volunteers, post run/walk snacks, post race results postings/awards, etc. Well done to all involved in pulling this off, year to year. Keep up this great tradition!!π¦πββοΈπ
has attended 5+ times
I will start by saying that I have only NOT run in the Turkey Trot twice in all the years it has been in existence. As always, this edition was well organized and efficient. Lots of fun too! As always, the age group awards are significantly under represented! 2500 registrants and only the top two in each five year age group are recognized is really, really poor!! That is the same number as when the race participant numbers were about 15% of that in the early years. Certainly the YMCA race administrators can afford at least five awards per age group! Also given that 37 males were in the 70+ age group finishers, I think the same five year age groupings should apply to it as well. Four other road races I ran in this year divided the over 70 group into two categories and all had under 600 participants. There has also been an over 80 age group category in these races. Please consider doing this as it would definitely enhance the experience and also acknowledge the longevity and dedication of those individuals in these groups. "Still the same" could easily make a minor change overall and a significant one for these older age groups.
has attended 5+ times
The YMCA Turkey Trot is one of Carlisle's finest events and traditions. It was exciting to be among so many local folks enjoying an upbeat active outing. As with previous Turkey Trots the 2022 event was extraordinary. Thanks to Jay Cation's outstanding management and hard work along with that of the YMCA team/volunteers another fine memory was made.
has attended 4 times
As always, The Y and entire staff do a wonderful job during registration, packet pick-up, charity options, and the main event. It is fun and a pleasure to participate with such a great community. Can't wait for next year's race. Trot on!
has attended 5+ times
I participated in the Carlisle Turkey Trot (5K) for the first time this past Thanksgiving. We were visiting my Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law who have lived in Carlisle for 20+ years. Our boys have run this race with my Sister-in-law in previous years and this year I decided to join in the fun by walking with my Brother-in-law. It was such a great experience and fun event. I would definitely do it again!
has attended 1 times
Not as fun as being there, but virtual will have to do for now. Walked our neighborhood so it was a familiar course.
has attended 5+ times
This was my first race with the YMCA and I have to say it went way better than expected. Organization of the race was splendid, no pushing or shoving like other races I have participated in, in the past.
has attended 1 times
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