Turkey trot season is just around the corner so why not kick off Thanksgiving Day with a 5K while raising money for local organizations.

Individually or a team, walk or run, the community is invited to the annual Rochelle Turkey Trot 5K Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 22 at 8:30 and will start at Lincoln Elementary School.

The event is co-sponsored by the Flagg Rochelle Community Park District.

Entry fee is $22 and includes a long sleeve shirt; single entry without a shirt is $10. A family may sign up for $35 but shirts are not included. Shirts can be purchased and picked up in the Lincoln School cafeteria beginning at 7:30 on race day. 

Sign-ups will be allowed up to the day of the event but shirts will not be guaranteed after Nov. 14. 

All proceeds will benefit the Rochelle Area Community Foundation’s Health and Wellness Field of Interest. People are welcome to dress in costume or fun attire.

“This is our eighth year … it started with just a shout out to our running friends two weeks prior to Thanksgiving morning. We had about 75 people show up that first year,” said Lauren Hintzsche, event organizer. “That’s when we knew we had something that people were interested in. It has grown from there.”

She added that although people are welcome to dress in fun attire or costumes, organizers this year will forgo handing out prizes and instead donate the money directly into the proceeds that will benefit the RACF.

“This is a ‘no frills 5K,” Hintzsche said. “The event will be timed but no awards will be given for times. In the event of a cancellation of the event due to conditions beyond our control, we thank you for your donation.”

Strollers are welcome. Due to insurance purposes, event organizers ask participants to please leave canine friends at home. 

Grants will be given in March for various projects that have the focus of health and wellness. Previously, grants have been used for park district wellness programs, fitness equipment and elementary school running clubs.

Sign up 

To register, visit rochelleturkeytrot8@eventbrite.com or at the Rochelle Park District Office, located at 735 N. Second St.

Anyone interested in assembling a turkey trot team can find fun names on the internet. 

“We are looking forward to another great fundraising event for the RACF,” Hintzsche said. “It’s a great way to start the day.”