Chester County Turkey Trot

The Chester County Turkey Trot is celebrating its 25th year and there's still nothing better than spending time with friends and family on Thanksgiving Day! We are excited to bring the community together once again for a fun social event and a great cause! Did you know that this race has helped to raise funds for childhood cancer research since 2012? Get a festive start to YOUR Thanksgiving morning at the Chester County Turkey Trot 5k Run/1mile Walk and help children facing a cancer diagnosis (through sponsorships and donations) through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). The previous race beneficiary, Cure4Cam Childhood Cancer Foundation, has transitioned to The Cure4Cam Hero Fund through ALSF. 

This annual Chester County Turkey Trot, what has become a great holiday tradition for locals and their holiday guests, will be held on Thanksgiving morning at Downingtown West High School! The event is a 5k race (2 Waves* - see note below), 2K walk, and a kids’ fun run. There's no better way to start this festive morning!! Historically, this race has gotten an impressive turnout of about 3,000 registered runners and we anticipate a break crowd of both seasoned trotters and new friends this year. 

*Please note that any runners with a projected finish time of less than 25 minutes are encouraged to register for the Gold Wave! More than 25 minutes - the Blue Wave is for you! 

For course map, click here.

TIME SCHEDULE: 

• 7:40 AM Gold Wave 5k (Sub 25 Minutes 5k Cut-Off)
• 8:15 AM​ Blue Wave 5K Race
• ​8:15 AM​ 2K Walk
• 9:00 AM ​Kids' Run on the Track Presented by Track Stars Youth Programs
• 9:15-9:30 AM Awards Ceremonies (Gold Wave/Blue Wave)

Technical running shirts are guaranteed to the first 2,000 registered runners! (No T-shirts for free Kids’ Run)

WALKERS - Please consider the 2k walk instead of the 5k Race as the course will be very crowded. 
** No need to switch your event online, just start with the walkers inside the stadium. **

STROLLERS - due to the high number of participants we are strongly discouraging the use of Strollers and Baby joggers in the BLUE WAVE. 
(No Strollers or Baby Joggers are allowed in the GOLD wave)

DOGS? We love our furry friends! Unfortunately, due to the crowds, no pets are allowed at the event. Thanks for understanding.

In addition to supporting the Downingtown West Cross Country team, proceeds of the race will benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Information on the Cure4Cam Hero Fund through ALSF is available here. The Cure4Cam Hero Fund is in memory of Cameron Evans, a Downingtown West teammate and friend who finished his race with leukemia in May 2012. Cameron was a gifted athlete and a compassionate, positive, and inspiring young man. His perseverance and spirit touched all of us.

AWARDS & RESULTS

Prize Money and Pies will all be available at the Prize Table following the conclusion of each race (located inside the stadium)
 

Prizes include: 

GOLD WAVE * cash prizes only apply to Gold Wave runners

Top 5 Male and Female ($250, $150, $100, $75, $50)
Top Masters Male and Female ($125)
Top 3 Each Age Group: Terrific Thanksgiving Pies!!!
(14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+)
** All Monetary Awards must be verified and signed for at the awards table. 

BLUE WAVE

Top 3 Each Age Group: Terrific Thanksgiving Pies!!!
(8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80

Thank you so much to our valued sponsors. To learn more about them, please click on the links below.

2025 Course Map ***

• Gold 5K 
• Blue Wave 5K
• 2K mi walk

Kids’ Fun Run

9:00 AM Warm-Ups Start

9:15 AM 100m Dash 0 - 4
9:20 AM Quarter Mile (1 Lap) Kindergarten & Older
9:25 AM Half Mile (2 Laps) 3rd Grade & Older
9:15 AM-10:00 AM Track & Field Games on Infield

***Race directors reserve the right to alter the course if needed.

2024 PARKING AND RACE START

PARKING

             Parking will be off-campus for this year’s Turkey Trot. NO PARKING at the schools!

Where is parking AVAILABLE?

• St. Joseph’s Church (across from DWest) (332 Manor Avenue, Downingtown)

• Kerr Park (Only ½ Mile from the start) (1 Park Lane, Downingtown, around corner from Manor Ave)

• Water Plant Way (east of the DW complex, take Parkside Drive off of Rt 282 to Water Plant Way

Where am I NOT ALLOWED to park? (***campus areas are being used for this year’s race)

• Downingtown Middle School

• Downingtown STEM Academy

• Downingtown West High School

Any vehicles parked illegally may be ticketed and/or towed at the expense of the owner.

RACE START

GOLD WAVE - 7:40 START
Gold Wave runners should cue up at start line in front of Downingtown West High School gym entrance at 7:30 a.m. Gold Wave race will start at 7:40 a.m. 

ALL OTHER RUNNERS AND WALKERS - 8:15 START
Starting at approximately 7:45am, racers and walkers will stage behind the start line on the main driveway (Campbell Drive) between STEM Academy and Kottmeyer Stadium facing the high school. Racers should line up on anticipated mile pace (there will be signs with mile paces listed -see below for estimated paces). Runners with strollers and walkers should line up at the end so as not to cause congestion and safety issues. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Approximate mile paces:

If you can finish a 5K in 25 minutes, your pace is about 8 minute mile. 
If you can finish a 5K in 30 minutes, your pace is about 9 1/2 minute mile. 
If you can finish a 5K in 35 minutes, your pace is about 11 1/4 minute mile.
If you can finish a 5K in 40 minutes, your pace is about 13 minute mile. 
If you can finish a 5K in 45 minutes, your pace is about 14 1/2 minute mile.

In 2023, over 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. were expected to be diagnosed with cancer. 

About 1600 of those children will die from their disease. Although survival rates have increased over the past few decades, childhood cancer survivors have a high chance of developing a secondary cancer and/or chronic health problem(s) affecting their quality of life and leading to premature death. Only a small percentage of the national cancer research budget goes to fund childhood cancer projects, thus relying on nonprofits like Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for funding.

Will you partner with the DWest XC team and ALSF to help make a difference in the life of a child with cancer? (Do not need to be registered to fundraise through this event!)

1. Set up your (optional) fundraising page to raise $ to support childhood cancer research. (The system requires you to set up a fundraising page during registration, but fundraising itself is not required for registration or participation in the event. PLEASE CONSIDER FUNDRAISING. Every dollar counts and 100% donated will go to fund research.)

2. Set a goal! (Default is set at $100, but you may change that.)

3. Share the link with your contacts and friends. 

Thank you for being inspired to save a life!

Also, don't miss the opportunity to support the DWest XC team with a small donation at the end of the registration process!

Early Bird Pricing

• Through July 31st

Age-based pricing

• 0-7 yrs $20

• 8-12 yrs $25

Family Discounts

• Families of 4 or more that register participants in the same transaction

Post those memories!

Did you know there are photos from past Chester County Turkey Trots on this registration website? Click on the photos tab on the menu to view them back to 2016. And THIS YEAR, YOU get to be our photographers! Everyone can upload photos to their OWN album. How? You guessed it! Through the same Photos tab!! Can't wait to "SEE" the Turkey Trot through YOUR lens!