A holiday tradition since 2003, the Valparaiso Turkey Trot brings together families and friends from Indiana, Illinois and Michigan to kick off Thanksgiving Day. The race includes a 10K Run and 5K Walk/Run through the streets of Valparaiso, Indiana. Hosted by the Porter-Starke Services Foundation, event proceeds benefit mental health and wellness programs and resources in Northwest Indiana. With 4,000 runners and walkers in 2016, the Valparaiso Turkey Trot has become the largest race of its kind in Northwest Indiana. Walkers, runners, sponsors and volunteers - everyone's presence this Thanksgiving morning supports and promotes mental health and wellness in our communities. 

2017 Updates! Due to increasing attendance, changes to this year's event include:

Packet Pick Up

Monday November 20, 2017, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Extra Mile Fitness Company - 1330 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383

Tuesday November 21, 2017, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Extra Mile Fitness Company - 1330 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383

Wednesday November 22, 2017, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Extra Mile Fitness Company - 1330 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383
***PACKET PICK UP IS NO LONGER AT VALPARAISO HIGH SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY EVENING***

Thursday November 23, 2017, 7:00 am - 7:45 am
Valparaiso High School Fieldhouse - 2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385

Shuttle Bus Service: Shuttle bus service will be available race morning from the Valparaiso YMCA to Valparaiso High School.  Look for the Valparaiso Turkey Trot Banner Flag, in ground signage and yellow bus.  Three shuttles will be making round trip from the Valparaiso YMCA to Valparaiso High School starting at 6:45 am.  The last bus shuttle will depart from the YMCA at 7:45 am—only use the final shuttle bus departure if you have already picked up your packet.

Return service will be available from Valparaiso High School to the Valparaiso YMCA following the race. The bus drivers will not deviate from the assigned route. 

Race Day Schedule - November 23, 2017

7:00 am - 7:45 am - Packet Pick Up
7:45 am - Road Closures Begin
8:00 am - 10K Race Starts
8:10 am - 5K Race Starts
9:25 am - 5K Top Finisher Awards, Age Group Awards will be mailed post race
9:35 am - 10K Top Finisher Awards, Age Group Awards will be mailed post race
10:00 am - Roads open to traffic

Road Closures
It is estimated that over 4,000 walkers, runners and volunteers will flock to the streets of Valparaiso on Thanksgiving Day. For everyone's safety, several roads will be closed. The following roads will be closed starting at 7:45 a.m. and will reopen to traffic at 10:00 a.m.

Campbell Street (Vale Park Road to Park Avenue)
Vale Park Road (Calumet Avenue to Campbell Street)
Cumberland Drive (Bullseye Lake Road to Wall Street)
Valparaiso Street (Bulleye Lake Road to Wall Street)

Parking
Valparaiso High School - (event location), those who park at Valparaiso High School must exit via Vale Park heading WEST, continuing to exit through Keystone Commons Subdivision. Upon exiting the subdivision all traffic will be directed SOUTH.
Christ Lutheran Church - 2610 N. Campbell St. - across the street from Valparaiso High School
Dyke's Funeral Home -2305 N Campbell St. (0.1 Miles), parking lot is on 10K Route, exiting prohibited until conclusion of 10K race
First Baptist Church - 2205 N. Campbell St. (0.2 Miles), parking lot is on 10K Route, exiting prohibited until conclusion of 10K race
Cook's Corner Elementary - 358 Bullseye Lake Rd. (0.6 Miles)
Growning Kids Academy - 3400 N. Campbell (0.3 Miles)