The early morning 5K run/walk on Thanksgiving Day is returning to trails in 4S Ranch with a new name and charitable cause.
Now dubbed the North County Turkey Trot — it was previously the Thank You Run — the event will begin with the 5K main race at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28. That will be followed by the Kids Fun Run at 8:45 a.m.
Proceeds will go toward youth sports scholarships.
Tiffinie Harpster, a 19-year 4S Ranch resident who was a runner in the previous events, has revived the fundraiser and is the race coordinator.
“It was our family tradition,” Harpster said. “We loved getting exercise before we ate turkey later in the day. It was a community event and we would see people we haven’t seen in a while. We loved the community aspect.”
The original run was started in 2010, a combined fundraiser for the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation and Helen’s Closet, a nonprofit that assisted those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. It was paused during the pandemic, returned in 2022, but not held last year due to extenuating circumstances.
With the foundation now disbanded and longtime organizers Theresa and Ray Shay stepping aside, it appeared the tradition was over. But Harpster said she approached Ray Shay over the summer and asked about resuming it under her leadership.
“It’s a lot of work and I am learning a lot,” Harpster said, who has never organized such an event before. She has a committee of friends helping her, but said about 90 percent of the work this year has fallen on her.
To make the event more inclusive — previous races largely drew from those in the 92127 ZIP code — Harpster renamed it the North County Turkey Trot. As of Nov. 13, she said around 500 people had signed up and she is hoping for 1,000.
“I’ve been marketing it a lot,” she said.
The 2022 run had 886 participants, Harpster said. In prior years there were well over 1,200 based on newspaper articles at the time.
Participants are to gather at the 4S Ranch Boys & Girls Club at 16118 4S Ranch Parkway. The race will go partially on streets in the nearby neighborhood, including Dove Creek Road and Dove Canyon Road, then enter the trail that goes behind Oak Valley Middle School and nearby homes. It will conclude on streets with the finish line in the 4S Ranch Sports Park, according to the race map.
“About 75% of the course is on the trail that has been maintained by the 4S Ranch HOA so it is in pristine condition,” Harpster said. “The challenge hill has a steep incline.”
Proceeds will go to a scholarship fund to help area youths participate in sports. Harpster said the cause is important to her because she has seen the positive influence sports have had on her three children who are now in high school.
“Our mission is to give every child the chance to experience the joy and benefits of playing sports,” Harpster wrote on the race website. “We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills and be part of a ive community. Through sports, kids gain a sense of accomplishment, forge new friendships and set goals that help them grow both on and off the field.”
Harpster said she founded the Active Kids Alliance, a nonprofit organization that will handle the scholarships. The number presented and size will be dependent on how much money she raises through the Turkey Trot and if she can organize another fundraiser or two during the year.
“This is close to my heart,” Harpster said. “I want to give back to kids … who do not have the financial means. Anyone can apply, but I want to keep it in North County. … It is for anyone in need who would like to play a sport.”
She said typically sports can cost $250 to $300 for a three-month season and she wants to have scholarships available for the various sports seasons. There is a link at northcountyturkeytrot.org where those interested in receiving a scholarship can apply.
The registration fee to run in the 5K is $45 in advance at northcountyturkeytrot.org and $50 on race day. The fee for the Kids Fun Run is $25.
Participants will receive a T-shirt, race bib and medal. Harpster said there will also be age division awards and those over 21 will be given a ticket for a free beer in the Karl Strauss Beer Garden after the race.
She is advising people to online in advance. To make check-in easier on race day, runners can pick up their race packet from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 at the Ray Shay Realtor’s Hub in the 4S Ranch Village Shopping Center, 16611 Dove Canyon Road.
“This is a perfect way to start Thanksgiving morning and then not feel guilty about (all the food),” Harpster said.
