Valley Children's Advocacy Center's 14th Annual The Club of Staunton Turkey Trot Run/Walk

14th Annual Club at Ironwood Turkey Trot 5K and 1-Miler Fun Run/Walk

Get ready to kick off your Thanksgiving morning with fun, fitness, and festive spirit! Join us in person for a pre-meal 5K or 1-Miler, and don’t be afraid to dress in your best Thanksgiving-themed attire. Celebrate your hard work at the finish line with a tasty Pumpkin Pie Bite reward!

Run for Hope. Run for Healing.

Valley Children’s Advocacy Center (Valley CAC) is a safe place where children who have experienced abuse can begin to heal. Primarily serving Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro, we collaborate with law enforcement, Child Protective Services, and other community partners to provide free, life-changing services—forensic interviews, victim advocacy, and therapy—for children and families in crisis. With nearly 75% of cases involving sexual abuse, your support helps bring safety, healing, and hope to the children who need it most.

Course Information:

Our course offers a semi-challenging route with rolling hills — a great workout for both runners and walkers! Enjoy a scenic path through the beautiful Club of Staunton golf course, making it a picture-perfect way to start your Thanksgiving morning. Please note, the race will be held at the same location as in previous years; only the venue name has changed.

Registration: 

• Registration opens September 25th
• Registration will close on 11/25/25 at 11:59 PM
• Day of registration will be available onsite from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. 
• Registration includes a special event t-shirt until the t-shirt deadline. Register by November 6th to receive your t-shirt

Please note: Race t-shirts are not available for registrations completed after the November 6th deadline.

 

Packet Pick-Up:

When & Where: Wednesday, Nov. 26th, 4–6 PM at Valley CAC, 1105 Greenville Ave, Staunton, VA. Please use the front entrance on Greenville Ave.

Parking: Available behind the building and on both sides.

Who Can Pick Up: Friends or family may pick up packets on your behalf.

Morning of the Race: Packet pick-up is also available at the race location on the morning of the race until 8:30 AM.

What’s in Your Packet:

• Race bib and safety pins
• T-shirt (if registered before the T-shirt deadline)
• Fun swag provided by our community business partners

Race Day Schedule:

8:00 AM – Pre-Race Festivities
Located behind The Club of Staunton building. Enjoy music and dancing, browse the raffle baskets and purchase tickets, and start stretching for the big race!

• Day-of Registration & Packet Pick-Up
  Open from 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM. 

8:40 AM – Opening Remarks & National Anthem
Kathy Lafon will perform the National Anthem.

1-Miler
Begins shortly after the opening remarks. Participants will be guided to the start line by a course leader.

5K Race
Starts after the opening remarks. Participants will be led to the 5K start line by our Turkey Mascot!

Post-Event Celebration

• Top finisher awards will be presented.
• Fun superlative awards with prizes will be announced.
• Raffle basket winners will be revealed and prizes distributed.

 If ice is present, we will not be able to access the course. Messaging will be provided to all registrants via email.

 

Awards & Swag:

Awards for the top male and female 5K finishers include gift certificates sponsored by Sole Focus Running in Staunton, VA

T-shirts are included with all registrations completed before the t-shirt deadline. This year's t-shirt deadline is 11/6/25

Medals will be given to all children under 17 who participate in the 1-mile and 5K events.  

 

****Register by November 6th to secure your race day t-shirt!****

 

 

Train with Sole Focus Running

Sole Focus Running has been a longtime supporter of Valley CAC’s Turkey Trot 5K, generously providing gift certificates for our top finishers each year. In addition to their sponsorship, Sole Focus offers a Running Club dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for runners of all paces—especially those who are new to running and not sure where to start. Their goal is to provide a welcoming community and mentoring for anyone beginning their running journey.

Learn more about Sole Focus Running’s Training Program: https://www.solefocusrunning.com/content/slow-as--running-club

 

Parking 

Parking is available in front of The Club of Staunton. Upon arrival, please follow the directions of parking volunteers, who will guide you to available spaces. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. Overflow parking will be used as needed, with volunteers directing traffic. Please see the image below for a parking map.

 

 

After parking: 

Race Day Schedule:

8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Pre-race festivities: Behind the Ironwood building, enjoy dancing, opening remarks, and the national anthem. Day-of Registration & Packet Pick-Up: Open until 8:30 am.

9:00 AM 1-Miler and 5K will begin shortly after the opening remarks; participants will be led to the 5K and 1-mile start line by our Turkey Mascot and volunteers.

 

Post-Race

Join us after your run or walk for the awards ceremony! We’ll hand out awards to top finishers and special fun awards, including Best Dressed Trotter, Cutest Canine, Most Loyal Trotter, Earliest Bird, Tiniest Trotter, and more!

 

1-Miler Trot: T-Shirt

Turkey Trot 5K: T-Shirt