Stratford Center fills with runners on Thanksgiving morning. The Stratford Turkey Day Trot returns on Thursday, Nov. 26, with a 5K that starts and finishes on Main Street in front of the Stratford Theatre, and the field is capped at 1,000 people. When the listing was checked this week, a little over 300 places were still open.

The race director's page describes this as the event's 24th year. It began with fewer than 100 people in Stratford Center, and in recent years it has averaged more than 800 participants.

The schedule

  • 7:00 to 8:10 a.m.: race-day bib pickup at the Masonic Auditorium, 2422 Main St.
  • 8:05 a.m.: the Turkey Trot Kids Run, free, for ages 9 and under. An adult may run alongside.
  • 8:10 a.m.: announcements and the national anthem.
  • 8:15 a.m.: the 5K run and walk.

The event goes ahead rain or shine. The organizers watch the forecast, and in severe weather the start could move, or the race could be postponed or canceled, with any change posted on the race website and its social accounts.

The course

The 5K is flat and built for every pace, walkers included. From Main Street the route turns left onto East Broadway and right onto Elm Street, runs through the town's historic district, and turns around just short of Main Street. On the way back it passes the water table and loops the park where the Shakespeare Theater once stood, then finishes in front of the Stratford Theatre. A new course map is posted on the registration page.

What it costs

Registration is online only, with no paper or cash entries on race day. Through Nov. 20 the 5K is $41 for runners 19 and older and $27 for 18 and under. From Nov. 21 to race day it rises to $45 and $30, before the registration site's processing fee. The kids run is free, and kids can register until 10 a.m. on race day.

The fees do more than cover the race. Over the last five years the Trot has sent an average of more than $10,000 a year to local causes. This year's beneficiaries are the Children's Dyslexia Center of Connecticut, the Town of Stratford's Community Services department, and the post-prom celebrations at Stratford High School and Bunnell High School.

Early pickup, and socks

Bibs can be picked up early at Riverview Bistro on Ferry Boulevard in Stratford on Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 2 to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 25, from noon to 5 p.m. The first 500 or so people who pick up early get a pair of Thanksgiving socks. You can collect bibs for friends and family at the same time.

The long-sleeve shirt size guarantee has passed, so late entrants get whatever sizes are left.

After the finish

Age-group awards go three deep for men and women in ten brackets, from 9 and under to 80 and over, with separate awards for the overall male and female winners. Awards are handed out just past the finish line, with no formal ceremony. There is a costume contest, too, with a $50 gift card to Paradise Pizza for the winner.

Several Main Street businesses are part of the morning. Cibus Dos serves food and drink at the finish from 7 to 11 a.m., and Pregame, Heffer and Frenchies Cafe are also on the post-race list. Frenchies is offering 10 percent off and a free coffee to anyone wearing a bib.

Getting there and parking

The race points runners to three parking areas: near the Stratford railroad station on Metro-North's New Haven Line, behind the theater, and across Main Street behind the restaurants. Anyone coming by train lands at the same station. Do not park anywhere on the course: the race says the police will tow.

The Turkey Day Trot is directed by Marty Schaivone of M.S. Running Productions, who can be reached at msrunningproductions@yahoo.com. Registration, the course map and the full fee schedule are on the race's RunSignup page.

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