Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run

When you support Thanksgiving Day Run, you make our community better and build strength in those who live here. Since its inception in 1982, support from local businesses and individuals has powered a multitude of YMCA programs including, water safety, youth sports, Summer My Way® day camp, Y-Club before and after school care, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, and more!

Early Registration - until 11:59 pm on 10/27/2024
$35 per person
$30 per person for households of 2-8 participants

Regular Registration – 10/28/2024-11/26/2024
$40 per person
$35 per person for households of 2-8 participants

Late Registration – 11/27/2024-11/28/2024
$45 per person

• No refunds.
• No additional discounts available.
• Shirts not guaranteed after 10/27/2024 registration.
• Strollers are allowed; no fee for children in strollers.
• Dogs are not allowed.

Multi-Person Pricing gives a $5.00 discount per person for up to 8 people in your household. Pricing ends Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at midnight.

Niles-Buchanan YMCA • 905 N. Front Street, Niles, MI 49120

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

1:00 - 6:00 PM - Packet Pickup & Registration

Thursday, November 28, 2024

6:30 AM - Packet Pickup & Registration

8:00 AM - 10K Run

8:05 AM - 5K Run/Walk

8:15 AM - 1 Mile Fun Run

With a virtual race, you can run the distance anywhere! For example, you can run in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, at a nearby park, or even on the original course! You will have between Thursday, November 28, and Saturday, December 7 to complete your race and upload your time. Virtual runners will still receive this year’s race shirt. Further instructions will be emailed to participants before the virtual race opens.

Must register before Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 11:59 pm to be guaranteed a shirt. Shirts are long-sleeved, dry-fit material. All participants who register before the cutoff date, including virtual, will receive a shirt.

The awards ceremony will begin around 8:40 AM and will be held outside at the front entrance of the YMCA.

Trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female winners in the 10K Run and 5K Run.

Medals will be awarded to the top three females and males in each age group in the 10K and 5K run events.

Age Groups:

• 5-9
• 10-14
• 15-19
• 20-24
• 25-29
• 30-34
• 35-39
• 40-44
• 45-49
• 50-54
• 55-59
• 60-64
• 65-69
• 70-74
• 75-79
• 80+

The 1 Mile Fun Run is a non-competitive event.

Packet pickup will be held at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA:

• Wednesday, November 27 from 1:00-6:00 pm
• Thursday, November 28 from 6:30-8:00 am

Participants will receive this year's race shirt and other goodies while supplies last.

Due to M-DOT restrictions, please note the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run course has been changed. We will no longer be allowed to run on Main Street or the Main Street bridge. Please see the updated map attached.

All participants will access the Broadway Street bridge only. It will be set up for 2-way participant traffic and closed to vehicle traffic.

With both the 5K and 10K participants on the course at the same time, please note 5K participants TURN LEFT onto Parkway and 10K participants continue on Broadway/Grant Street. 

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.

Please give yourself ample time for travel and parking.

• Traveling US-31 – Use Walton Road exit #7 to M-139 South. 
• Traveling N 5th Street – Take Pucker Street >Ullery Road > Pucker Street Drive or M-140 > M-139 South. All roads traveling to the YMCA past Pucker Street will be blocked off (Pokagon Street, Dey Street, Wayne Street, Main Street, etc.)

Parking is available at and around the Niles-Buchanan YMCA:

• Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 N Front Street
• Berrien County Courthouse, 1205 N Front Street
• Beyond Smiles, 123 Marmont Street
• Millin Automotive, 705 N 2nd Street
• Niles City Hall, 333 N 2nd Street

• The 5K and 10K start and end on 2nd Street behind the YMCA.
• The 1-Mile Fun Run starts and ends at Plym Park.

Please note, city streets will remain open during the event. Be sure to stay within the coned/barricaded lanes. There could be minimal traffic in the oncoming lanes.

YMCA restrooms and locker rooms will not be available during this event.
Porta-potties have been rented to accommodate participants.

Timing is done by Classic Race Management. Results will be posted immediately following the event. Scan the QR code on your bib to access your race results.

We are excited to offer both in-person and virtual options for the 43nd annual Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run on Thursday, November 28!

Our in-person event is in need of the following types of volunteers:

• Race Day Packet Pick-Up: Volunteers will be placed in the Y to hand out race packets to participating runners.
  Course Route: Volunteers will be placed at various locations throughout the race routes to instruct runners on directions. There are three races: 10K, 5K, and 1 Mile Fun Run.
• Water Stations: Volunteers will be placed at various stations along race routes to hand out water to participating runners. We will provide participants with open cups of water. 
• Clean-Up: Volunteers will be needed at the end of the event to help clean up different areas.
• Place me where needed: Volunteers will be placed where they are needed the most.

All volunteers will need to stop by the Niles-Buchanan YMCA between 1:00-6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 27 to receive directions and pick up their Thanksgiving Day Run shirt.

Please contact Sammee Schaller, event volunteer coordinator, at sschaller@ymcagm.org or 269-683-1552 with questions or to volunteer.