Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot

Join us -- rain or shine -- on Thanksgiving Day for the Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot! We will gather at Bishop Ranch City Center in San Ramon for a run around the lakes and gardens. These are chip-timed races on a flat course that has both pavement and packed dirt. Come and run or cheer. Or both!

Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot is a rain-or-shine event. The race starts and finishes inside of City Center Bishop Ranch at Alexander Square. We have two routes in case of rain.

Dry Day Route

The course takes you out Sunset Drive to the Iron Horse Trail, the back along Camino Ramon, through the gardens of Bishop Ranch and then out and around Annabel Lake. Its BEAUTIFUL. For Sträva users, this link gives a detail of the course,

Rainy Day Route 

Who's afraid of rain? We aren't. The paths around  Annabel Lake can get quite muddy, though, so plans for an alternative rain route. This course heads out Sunset Drive, down the Iron Horse Trail, through the gardens and then back on the Iron Horse. We will notify all runners if we need to use this course on Wednesday, November 27. 

Here's a map (below). Here's the Strava link.

edited 3/5/2025

Is this a rain-or-shine event?

Yes, our race happens rain or shine. 

Are these races chip-timed

Yes, the Turkey Trot 5k is chip-timed. 

What time do the races start? And where is the start?

The Turkey Trot 5k starts at 8:30am. The Tiny Turkey starts at 9:30am. 

The Start/Finish is at in City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon (directions) at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd.

When and where do I pick up my shirt and bib?

You have three chances: 

• Tuesday, November 25 12pm - 6pm TBA
  
• Wednesday, November 26  12pm - 6pm TBA
  
• Thursday, November 27 6:30- 8:30am at the Start/Finish, City Center Bishop Ranch, San Ramon

Can I register on Race Day (Thanksgiving Morning)

Of course! Just come to Registration on the Square in City Center Bishop Ranch and we will help you. Remember online registration is live until the races start, so you can also always sign up here at bishopranchturkeytrot.com

Where do I park on race day? Does it cost anything?

Parking is free. Please park in the City Center parking lot and also in the lot of at 2600 Camino Ramon (directions), which is right next to City Center. 

Can I volunteer?

Yes, please do! Great volunteers are what makes this event wonderful. You can sign up here. 

What stuff do I get?

Each racer receives a custom wooden finishers medal, a long-sleeve Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot shirt, a custom bib, and a GREAT morning!

Can I run with my dog? How about strollers?

Yes, we are dog-friendly! We do ask that you start near the back and use your best judgment with the crowd. We are also stroller-friendly!

Will you just mail everything to me?

We will not be mailing shirts and bibs this year. Contact us if you have a special request.

Should I wear my turkey suit?

Oh yes! You absolutely should! We will choose folks in costume for special gifts on race day. Post yourself running in turkey garb and tag us at #bishopranchturkeytrot and we may send you something nifty. 

Will there be prizes for the winners? Will there be Age Group Awards?

There are prizes for the top three male and female finishers (13 and above) and the top three young male and female finishers (0 - 12). We do not offer Age Group Awards, though all age group categories are reported in our results.

We practice radical acceptance of deferrals and transfers. You can defer or transfer at any time up until race day (but not after the race has taken place.) This includes gifting your registration to a friend. 

Here are your options. You can:

• Defer until next year's race. We sign you up automatically after registration opens for next year's race.
• Transfer your race to a friend. They can come and enjoy a good time.
• Transfer to any other of our events between now and a year from now. You join us in the future!

All of these options are available to you by selecting Manage Registration in your profile. Here is a little tutorial on how to manage your registration.  It's all free of charge. 

As to refunds, we don't offer cash refunds under any circumstance. Please consider purchasing race insurance. This is exactly what it's here for.

All Finishers receive the special Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot wood-cut medal. Made from recycled wood, these are one-of-a-kind. Also each runner receives a custom, perfectly cozy Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot long-sleeve shirt as part of registration. Shirts are not included for athletes under 5 but can be purchased separately during registration. These are cotton-feel shirts perfect for running or going to the market. Sizes run from small to XXXL and are in male and female cuts. Youth sizes are available. Got enough race shirts? No problem. We allow you to donate $5 to charity instead.

All athletes receive a custom Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot bib for the race and to put on your refrigerator once the race is done. 

Podium awards are given to the top 3 adult finishers, by gender, and also to youth runners 12 and under, by gender in the Fast Turkey only. The Festive 5k is a non-competitive event.

There are two days of bib and shirt pickup on race week. You can pick up on race morning as well, but we strongly encourage you to do so beforehand. Race morning is always nuts. (Yes! You can pick up for family and friends). Also! Please bring canned food items for our food drive for The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano! Bins are available at Fieldwork Brewing.

• Tuesday, November 25, 12pm - 6pm: TBA
• Wednesday, November 26, 12pm - 6pm: TBA
• Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day), 6:30am - 8:30am: START/FINISH, Alexander Square, Bishop Ranch City Center, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon 

Race morning in on Thanksgiving Day. Our race happens, rain or shine. The start and finish are in the square of City Center Bishop Ranch.

The schedule is as follows:

• 6:30am: Bib pickup registration opens
• 8:30am: Turkey Trot 5k starts
• 9:30am: Tiny Turkey starts

All runners and their families are welcome to post-race treats that include water, Bellwether Farms yogurt, fruit, and other snacks.