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ORRC Turkey Trot at The Zoo (Draft)

Thu November 27, 2025 Portland, OR 97221 US Directions
This Race is in Draft Mode

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Finish Line

Finish Line Swag

November 27, 2025

Details

Finish area assistants welcome runners and walkers at the finish line with "great job" greetings, chocolate turkeys and directions to the food. Finish line is at the elephant plaza.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Assignment is at Finish line area assistance at elephant plaza.

Tot Trot & Gobble Gallop Assistants

November 27, 2025

Details

Provide assistance to the Tot Trot & Gobble Gallop Leader at the Elephant Plaza: hand out goodies, direct entrants, set-up cones, etc.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Tot Trot events are held at the Elephant Plaza

Finish line Water/Food

November 27, 2025

Details

Finish line Water/Food set up and distribution. Set up the food distribution set up area tables at the finish line. Bananas, oranges, granola bars, bagels and spreads, trail mix, M & M, etc are the treats. Direct runners and personally watch over the food, replenishing foods as they are consumed.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Assignment near Finish area assistance near Elephant Plaza

Tot Trot & Gobble Gallop Leader

November 27, 2025

Details

Visit the Zoo before Thanksgiving to see the layout of the two courses. On race day set-up cones and signs for Tot Trot & Gobble Gallop. Make sure chocolate turkeys, ribbons, etc. are ready. Start and lead the kids as they trot and gallop. Wear something silly. Clean up signs, cones, etc.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Assignment near Finish area assistance near Elephant Plaza

Finish Line Leader High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Visit the zoo before Thanksgiving to talk with zoo staff and plan the layout of the finish line, as things change from year to year due to construction, etc. Maps from previous years will serve as a guide. On Thanksgiving, direct volunteers to set-up tables for food, delineators, banners and mesh for the finish line, etc.. Coordinate with the Finish Line Food Leader and Tot Trot/Gobble Gallop Leader.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Assignment near Finish area assistance near Elephant Plaza

Finish Line Food Leader High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Work with race directors to determine how much food to purchase. Contact Franz Bakery 3 weeks in advance to order baked goods. Purchase food and supplies at Costco, US Foods, etc. in advance, to be brought to the Cascade Grill (in the zoo) on Wednesday at 3pm. Make sure all food is brought to the finish line (Wednesday and/or Thursday). Direct volunteers to cut up fruit and bagels. Lay out the food on tables and refill as needed. Once the last person has crossed the finish line, clean-up and consolidate. Extra food may be given to entrants and volunteers, or donated to food banks. Return Franz Bakery trays after the race.,

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Assignment near Finish area assistance near Elephant Plaza

Course - Monitors, Set-up/Pick-up

Course - Turnaround

November 27, 2025

Details

Direct participants to turn around and head to the zoo entrance. Course monitor location on SW Kingston Ave

Location

Course monitor location on SW Kingston Ave.
Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Course Marshal - SW Knights Blvd - SW Kingston Drive

November 27, 2025

Details

Course monitor position at the Intersection of Knights Blvd and Kingston Drive

Location

Assignment at Intersection of Knights Blvd and Kingston Drive - upper end of Zoo
Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Course - Start Line

November 27, 2025

Details

Set up start area. Start runners at 7:30 and walkers at 7:45. Event start line on SW Knights Blvd, adjacent to MAX Zoo station and Western Forestry Center.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Course Marshal - SW Knights Blvd -- S Zoo Rd High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Position yourself in the middle of SW Knights Blvd. Direct outgoing runners to go straight on Knights. Direct returning runners/walkers to turn left onto zoo sidewalk at upper end of zoo parking lot, heading directly to the zoo entrance.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right.

Assignment is at SW Knights Blvd meets zoo sidewalk at upper end of zoo parking lot.

Course Marshall inside Zoo

November 27, 2025

Details

Direct runners and walkers to the finish line.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Course Set-up Inside Zoo High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Visit the zoo before Thanksgiving to review the course and talk with zoo staff. Review the maps and equipment needed. On Thanksgiving Day set up cones, signs and delineators on the course from the zoo entrance to the finish line. Check in with the Cascade Grill Leader when everything is ready.

Location

Report to the Cascade Grill (inside the zoo) to get supplies.

Sweepers

November 27, 2025

Details

Follow the last person at 7:45 to let volunteers know when their assignment is done. Others will pick up the signs and equipment.

Location

Check in at the Cascade Grill, then report to the start.

Course Set-up Outside Zoo

November 27, 2025

Details

Set-up signs, cones and delineators on the course. See maps and drop list for details.

Location

Check in with the Cascade Grill Leader and report when everything is ready.

Bib Check at Zoo Entry

November 27, 2025

Details

Assist Zoo security by checking all incoming participants to the zoo for their bib entry. No one is allowed in the zoo without a bib except babies in strollers.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Post Event - Pick-up Course Outside Zoo

November 27, 2025

Details

Drive the course in the Uhaul, picking up cones, signs, tables, etc. from the event. Once the course gear is loaded, load gear from the Cascade Grill, then equipment from the finish line (inside the zoo).

Location

Check in with the Cascade Grill Leader and Finish Line Leader periodically to keep them posted on your progress and location.

MAX Station Volunteer

November 27, 2025

Details

As participants for the Turkey Trot get off the MAX, give them a coupon for free appetizer at Spaghetti Factory. Limit of one voucher per participant.

Location

Check-in at the Cascade Grill, then report to the MAX station

Post-Event Pick-up Crew--Inside Zoo High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Pick-up and pack-up everything from the zoo entrance and Cascade Grill to the finish line. Load up the trucks.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Zoo Parking

Parking Volunteers - North end of zoo parking - SW Kingston Drive

November 27, 2025

Details

Zoo parking assistance near the North entrance to the zoo at corner of SW Kingston Drive and SW Knights Blvd. for late arrivals and those approaching zoo from the north.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Parking volunteers - Main parking lot

November 27, 2025

Details

Help organize parking to efficiently and safely use the Zoo's park lot full capacity.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Parking Lot Leads

You must be 18 or older to volunteer for this task.

November 27, 2025

Details

Manage the safe and efficient use of all of the parking areas at the Oregon Zoo for the Turkey Trot event.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Cascade Grill & Start Line

Bib Pickup and Registration - Thanksgiving Day

November 27, 2025

Details

Assist at bib pickup on Thanksgiving Day at Oregon Zoo inside Cascade Grill

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Volunteer Assignment Coordinator

November 27, 2025

Details

Responsible to check in volunteers for their assignments on Thanksgiving morning at Cascade Grill

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Shirt and Beanie Distribution

November 27, 2025

Details

Distribute pre-ordered shirts and beanies. All participants and volunteers get a beanie. Shirts are limited to pre-orders.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Turkey Mascot High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Be the ORRC Turkey mascot and get photographed with hundreds of runners and walkers!

Location

Report to the Cascade Grill at 7am to get in costume.

Drop Bag Monitor

November 27, 2025

Details

Receive and organize provided garment bag drop both before and after event. Bags must be picked up by 9am

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Turkey Mascot Companion High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Help guide the Turkey Mascot around the Zoo.

Location

Report to the Cascade Grill at 7am to meet the mascot.

Greeters - Cascade Grill

November 27, 2025

Details

Greet people and direct them to Bib pickup, restrooms, start line, etc.

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Post Event Clean-up Crew - Cascade Grill High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Clean-up and consolidate ORRC equipment and supplies in the Cascade Grill and near the Zoo entrance to make things ready to load in the Uhaul.

Cascade Grill Leader High Priority

November 27, 2025

Details

Make sure everything is ready to go in the Cascade Grill--tables for T-shirts, Bib pickup, Trouble Table, Pie Table, etc. There will be supplies to go to the zoo entrance, finish line, and on the course. Coordinate with the Course Set-up/Pick-up Leaders, the Finish Line Leader and the Finish Line Food Leader. Direct volunteers to their assignments, prioritize if you are short volunteers and keep things flowing. People will be starting at 7:30am and 7:45am for the 5K, then expect a wave of parents and kids arriving for the Tot Trot & Gobble Gallop at 8:30am. Expect another wave of people stopping by to pick-up pies. As the numbers dwindle, consolidate equipment, etc. but save the final clean-up until 9am.

Pie Pickup Monitor

November 27, 2025

Details

Distribute pumpkin pies to lucky winners! If someone wait until after the event to pick up their pie, write their name on the pie and save it for later. Must be picked up by 9am or will be given away to another recipient

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo main gate at Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Cascade Grill - Trouble Table

November 27, 2025

Details

Troubleshoot any issues with registration, shirts, etc.

Location

Report to the Cascade Grill (inside zoo entrance)

Pre Race

Set up at the Zoo day prior to event

November 26, 2025

Details

Meet at the zoo at noon at Cascade Grill to help set up Bib-Pickup and t-shirt set-up, and arrange equipment in van and truck for next day's set-up.

Location

Cascade Grill at the zoo, in the basement

Early Bib Pickup at Foot Traffic Stores High Priority

November 22, 2025

November 23, 2025

Details

Provide event bibs, beanie hats and t-shirts (if ordered) for participants at our early bib pickup events at Foot Traffic stores. Contact Mark Barrett (raceoperations@oregonroadrunnersclub.org) to arrange pick-up/return of shirts, bibs, etc. Note the time listed is the time at Foot Traffic, so allow extra time before and after to pick-up/return the gear.

Location

Westside Portland Saturday, Nov. 23 - Noon to 4 p.m., Foot Traffic,13306 NW Cornell Road, PDX

Sellwood Sunday, Nov. 24, Noon to 4 p.m., 1260 SE Lambert Ave., PDX

Early Bib Pickup - Day before Thanksgiving Day

November 26, 2025

Details

Bib and Beanie Hat pickup and shirt distribution at Oregon Zoo's Cascade Grill .

Location

Check in first at Volunteer Desk inside Oregon Zoo Cascade Grill inside zoo on right

Load equipment truck the day before Turkey Trot

November 26, 2025

Details

Load the Uhaul Van with equipment, etc the day before the Turkey Trot at ORRC's storage units in Beaverton at 10am

Location

ORRC Storage Units at U-Haul on 14225 SW TV Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97005

Other Tasks

Unload Equipment at Storage Units in Beaverton After Event

November 27, 2025

Details

After event unload the Uhaul Van with equipment, at ORRC's storage units in Beaverton

Location

ORRC Storage Units at U-Haul on 14225 SW TV Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97005

Race Info Hats and Extra Shirts Donate
Event Info Volunteer Refund Policy
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