Sign Up Now For Stamford's First Turkey Trot

How many calories will be in your Thanksgiving dinner?

For most people, including the “Turkey Team” gathered at   to plan Stamford’s first Turkey Trot, it’s a scary thought. That’s one of the many reasons they’re working to give the Stamford community a chance to get their day off to healthy start with a 5K Walk/Run in the South End's new Harbor Point neighborhood.

The city’s new Stamford Walks initiative is striving to help everyone get up and get moving and their inaugural event will be the Turkey Trot beginning at 8 am on Thanksgiving morning in the parking lot of the .

“Everyone will be home in time to get that bird in the oven!” Kerri Hagan, Public Health Educator for the city of Stamford, laughed.

Hosted by the City of Stamford's Department of Health & Social Services and sponsored by Building & Land Trust (BLT), Stamford EMS, Fairway Market, Pacific Swim Bike Run, Whip, and Robeks, the Turkey Trot will bring together many of the new businesses in Harbor Point.

“We thought that South End would be a great place to help highlight the new Harbor Point neighborhood and the great new things happening there,” Hagan said.

“It’s an opportunity for people to come down and see what's been created,” Carla Catanzaro, Event Coordinator for BLT, said. “It’s constantly changing and we’re very excited.”

While individual neighborhoods in Stamford have held their own Turkey Trots in the past, this will be the first time an event has been planned for the city as a whole.

“This is open to everyone free of charge — from seasoned athletes to families that want to put the kids in the stroller and go before they sit down to eat,” Hagan said.

“It’s a chance to get some exercise, get out and get some air,” Julie Gabay, President of Pacific Swim Bike Run, said. “It’s to promote a better life for yourself and set an example for your kids.”

Fairway Market will also provide a healthy breakfast for participants on the morning of the race. While the event is free, the planning team is asking participants to bring along a non-perishable food item or warm weather gear (hats, gloves, etc...) to help those in need.

As Harbor Point continues to take shape, this promises to be the first of many exciting events in the neighborhood.

“We’re hoping to have a series of runs through the year,” Catanzaro said.

“This event will only grow,” Gabay said.

This year’s race is capped at 200 participants so preregistration is advised, sign up here in advance or in the lot shared by Fairway and Lockworks on the morning of the race.