Newtown's Thanksgiving morning starts on Queen Street again this year, at one of northern Fairfield County's Thanksgiving races. The 17th annual Newtown Turkey Trot steps off at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, from Newtown Middle School, with a 5K run and a 2.5K fitness walk, and every entry supports the C.H. Booth Library on Main Street.

The race has drawn more than 1,700 participants a year in recent years, according to the organizers. As of this week the walk alone still had more than 2,100 spots open.

The two courses

Both events start and finish at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, on the routes the race introduced in 2019. The 5K is the timed run. The 2.5K is a fitness walk of about 1.6 miles. Results are streamed on the race website during the event.

Dogs are not allowed on either course this year, for the safety of participants. Water is provided, donated by local sponsors, but the race says there will be no food at the finish.

Registering, and what it costs

Entry is by advance online registration through the race's RunSignup page, which stays open until race morning. Prices rose in stages through the fall, and the current online price for either the 5K or the walk is $43.40, which includes a $3.40 processing fee. The library says it never wants the cost to keep anyone from joining, and it invites anyone in that position to contact the race organizer at the library directly.

Runners who registered before November 8 receive a cotton-blend race shirt. Any shirts not collected by the start are handed out to other participants.

Packet pickup at the library

Bibs and shirts are collected at the C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, in the Gathering Room:

  • Monday, November 23, 4 to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 24, 4 to 7 p.m.
  • A midday session the day before the race, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., listed on the race page.

Race-morning check-in runs from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. at the start, for bibs only, not shirts. Every runner and walker needs a bib before the start.

The organizers also ask participants to bring a non-perishable food item to packet pickup for Faith Food Pantry, to help families in need this holiday season.

Awards

A post-race ceremony near the finish is planned for the overall and age-group winners. Awards that are not collected on the day can be picked up later at the library or will be mailed.

Why the library

The Turkey Trot is a fundraiser for the C.H. Booth Library, the town's public library, which runs a makerspace, a Library of Things, children's and teen programs, and a full calendar of talks. Its calendar in the coming days includes a Newtown Historical Society program on residents who sided with the king during the Revolution (Sunday, November 15) and an author talk with Ruchin Kansal (Saturday, November 21).

Getting there

Newtown Middle School is at 11 Queen Street, and the town sits just off I-84. Registration, the event schedule and live results are on the Newtown Turkey Trot page on RunSignup.

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