Shepherd’s Pantry

30th Annual

Windham Turkey Trot

Register

Registration for the 30th Annual Turkey Trot will open in the fall of 2024. Register Now!

Volunteer

There are big and little jobs, before, during and after the Trot. All help is appreciated. Sign Up!

Donate

Shepherd’s Pantry is grateful for your donations that help feed our community
Donate Now

Please join us for “30” with the Turkey. Register today for the 30th Annual Windham Turkey Trot!

Start your Thanksgiving Day by giving back and giving thanks with a fun Walk/Run!

Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: 74 Blossom Road Windham, NH
Distance: 1 mile, 3 miles or 5 miles

Race History

Turkey Trot History

100% of the funds raised from The Windham Turkey Trot goes to Shepherd’s Pantry to help its clients who experience food insecurity.

1994: Humble Beginnings

The Windham Turkey Trot was started in 1994 on Blossom Road by next door neighbors, Louise Peltz and Heidi Reever. The two women wanted to have a neighborhood fun run/walk while their turkeys were cooking in the oven. They invited as many neighbors as they could and 50 joined the fun. Participants were asked to bring canned goods which were then donated to Shepherd’s Pantry.

1997: Traditions Were Born

After collecting food donations for a few years, participants began making monetary donations to the Shepherd’s Pantry. Year after year the Turkey Trot gained popularity with the community and it became a Thanksgiving Day event for many people and as a result more funds were raised for charity every year.

2020: New Race Operations

The operations of the Trot were taken over by Shepherd’s Pantry.

2021: Starting Line Move

The official starting line moved a few doors down and is now hosted by the Dewane Family at 74 Blossom Road. The race has grown from 50 runners to between 800 – 1,000 runners.

Turkey Trot Fun Facts

Everyone joins in the fun. . . Some groups show up with as many as 15 family members who are in town for the holiday.

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Rain or Shine

There are 1 mile, 3 mile, and 5 mile courses that travel through the Blossom Road neighborhood in Windham. The start time is 9:00 am Thanksgiving morning, regardless of the weather.

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All Ages Welcome

Participants range in age from 3 weeks to 96 years, and they run, walk, bike, rollerblade, roll their wheelchairs or are pushed and pulled in strollers and wagons. Many have made the Turkey Trot part of their family’s Thanksgiving traditions.

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A Kitchen Clock & A Ladder

The Turkey Trot is an unofficial race. There are no numbers or chip technology. The official timer is a kitchen clock sitting on a step ladder. Some people are intimidated at the thought of participating in a “Race”; the reality is that only about 30% of our Trotters actually run.

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Most Trotters Return

Once people experience the Trot for the first time, they usually keep coming back. Participants have a great time; friends and neighbors chat while strolling around the neighborhood, returning college students enjoy a mini reunion with friends, younger children like biking among the excitement, and we always see some impressively competitive runners.

2024 Sponsors

Supporting Our Community

Turkey Trot Course Maps

Plan Your Run

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1 Mile Course

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3 Mile Course

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5 Mile Course

Turkey Trot FAQs

Ready, Set, Trot!

How much does it cost to participate in the Turkey Trot?

Registration for the 30th Annual Turkey Trot is $30 per person and includes a T-Shirt if you want one. You must register before November 16th at 6PM to receive a T-shirt. You may also choose to make an additional monetary donation to the Pantry on your registration form.

Are there any age requirements or restrictions?

We welcome all ages from 3 weeks to 96 years run, walk, bike, roller-blade, roll their wheelchairs, or be pushed and pulled in strollers and wagons. Many make the Turkey Trot part of their family’s Thanksgiving traditions.

Please leave your furry family members and drones at home.

What time should I arrive at the starting line?

You want to make sure to arrive in time for our “Ready, Set, Trot” send off.

Please take into account you will need to park.

Suggested arrival times:

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Anyone who is not yet registered and needs to register onsite
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM: Already registered & just needs to pick up their t-shirt
8:30 AM: Already registered and already picked up t-shirt

Where do I park for the race?

Please plug in 1 Floral Road, Windham, NH into your GPS. This will get you to a good spot where parking attendants will guide you to the parking location. Do not park on Easy Street, unless one of the parking attendants directs you there. We highly encourage carpooling!
Read our complete parking instructions

I'm not a planner... Can I register on Race Day?

Although we strongly recommend everyone register before race day, race day registration will be available. You will also be able to make additional donations at registration that morning.

Where do I pick up my T-Shirt?

Get ready for the Turkey Trot and Pick Up Your Shirts before the race
Saturday, November 23rd, 12pm – 3pm
Sunday, November 24th, 12pm – 3pm
3 Industrial Drive, Unit 9
Windham, NH 03087