Garlic City Turkey Trot 2026 — Gilroy, CA

Inaugural Gilroy Turkey Trot **** Important information***** Dear Participants, We are working very hard to bring you a one-of-a-kind experience, starting with the finisher t-shirt and medals. We are designing a high-quality t-shirt that you can use for years to come. Because of the production quality, we need adequate time to manufacture and ship the items. Please note that the deadline to guarantee a finisher t-shirt in your desired size is September 18th. After this date, you will still be guaranteed a t-shirt, but sizing will be subject to availability. Thank you for your understanding and support. Initiative The idea of hosting a Turkey Trot in Gilroy was born out of my husband's and my tradition of traveling to San Jose to run in their event, which always left us with limited time to prepare for Thanksgiving family gatherings. A local Turkey Trot was an idea that surfaced a few years ago, but due to a lack of funding, we were unable to fulfill that vision until now. We are thrilled to finally be moving forward with this event for our community. Please let me know if you would like more details on how to get involved or participate. Description Please join us for the Inaugural Garlic City Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving morning, hosted by Garlic City Hybrid Training. You can run, walk, or ruck in this festive 5K event, which will feature holiday music, custom shirts, and post-race treats. This event is organized by the Gilroy community, for the community. Half of the proceeds will go toward acquiring workout equipment to enhance local health and fitness of our community, while the other half will benefit Rebeka's Children's Services for their Culinary Academy. It is a wonderful way to get your family and friends moving while supporting a local nonprofit organization. We hope to see you there to start this new Thanksgiving tradition together! About the Course: The route begins at Gilroy Sports Park and winds through the Levee Park Preserve alongside oak trees. The course is mainly flat and fully paved, offering a scenic run through one of Gilroy's most beautiful natural areas. It is mostly paved and accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices. To ensure a smooth running experience for all participants, the course will be marked and assisted by volunteers with clearly marked turnaround points. There will be one aid station at the halfway point, as well as snacks at the finish line. In addition, the Garlic City Turkey Trot will be a cupless event. Runners will need to carry a bottle, collapsible cup, or other means to drink at aid stations. Due to the event falling on Thanksgiving Day, and keeping in mind that participants might be traveling to spend the day with their loved ones, there will be no food trucks at the event. However, coffee will be available to purchase from Taaza. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there. About Rucking Rucking is a physical activity that involves walking with a weighted backpack, often referred to as a ruck. It combines the benefits of strength training and cardio, making it an effective workout for building endurance and muscle. Weight requirements are 30 lbs for men and 20 lbs for women, and rucksacks will be weighed prior to the start. Looking forward to seeing you all there!!