Health & Fitness

Alexandria Turkey Trot 2018: Route, Road Closures

The traditional Thanksgiving morning race will draw thousands of runners to the streets of Del Ray.

Alexandria's Turkey Trot is a celebrated tradition to get healthy before the big Thanksgiving feast. The 43rd annual Turkey Trot will be held Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, Nov. 22) from 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m. in the Del Ray neighborhood. Nearly 6,000 runners are expected to participate.

The five-mile route starts at East Spring Street near George Washington Middle School. Runners will head up Mount Vernon Avenue, down Commonwealth Avenue and loop back around again. The course is dog and stroller friendly. Walkers are invited to participate, but anyone on the course when roads reopen at 10:15 a.m. will move to the sidewalks.

To see a full map, click here.

Find out what's happening in Del Rayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Runners will be competing for cash prizes for the male and female groups. Other prizes are given to first, second and third place age group winners as well as the "Doggie Champ" and "Stroller Champ." You can check back for results at this link: www.alexandriaturkeytrot.com/results.

The schedule is as follows:

Find out what's happening in Del Rayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • 7:30 a.m. - Registration and packet pickup opens at GW Middle School
  • 8:45 a.m. - Invocation and announcements
  • 9:00 a.m. - Race begins
  • 10 a.m. - Main awards ceremony begins

Registration is available online and in-person the day of the race from 07:30 a.m.-08:30 a.m. The race is rain or shine, except in cases of extreme inclement weather.

The event will collect donations for ALIVE!, a nonprofit serving Alexandria’s needy. Participants are asked to bring two nonperishable food items (cans, boxes) to the race.

Roads on the race path will be closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Parking will be limited. Participants and spectators are encouraged to use public transportation; the Braddock Road Metro and bus stops are nearby.

The event is held by the Del Ray Business Association and DC Road Runners Club along with title sponsor The Jen Walker Team.

Image via Shutterstock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Del Ray