HELP MAKE US #1!!
We are so excited to share that America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White Furniture has been nominated for Best Holiday Parade by The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards! We are encouraging everyone to VOTE daily now through December 2nd on multiple devices using the link below!
Frequently Asked Questions
PLEASE NOTE: FAQs are subject to change as updates become available. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
What’s new for 2024?
- Advance Packet Pickup will be held at EIGHT convenient locations from Saturday, November 16, 2024, through Saturday, November 23, 2024 (NOTE: Store hours and days of operation vary).
- Advance packet pickup locations may be found at the end of this document.
- For those participants who do not pick up their packets in advance, you will electronically receive notice with a bar code before Race Central opens at Noon on Wednesday, November 27th. Printing and bringing this notice with you will speed your pick-up at Huntington Place (formerly TCF/Cobo). Be sure to include your correct email address, home address, and phone number during event registration.
- At this time, there are no retail booths planned for Huntington Place. We are referring to our hub at Hall E inside of Huntington Place as “Race Central” rather than the “Expo.”
How do I register?
Simply register online at 42nd Annual Strategic Staffing Solution Turkey Trot Registration thru Monday, November 25, 2024.
Can I register in person?
In-person registration is available at our Advance Pick-up Locations by CASH or CHECK only. Registration will also be available at Race Central in Huntington Place on November 26th from 12-7:00 p.m. and November 27th from 6-8:00 a.m.
NOTE: Lines can be very long! We highly recommend pre-registering online.
How can I check if I already registered?
You will be notified by email when your registration is processed. There is also a link on our website for runner lookup:
42nd Annual Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot | Runner Lookup (usainmotion.events).
Will there be a new course for 2024?
No. However, unexpected road work and construction in the City of Detroit may lead to last minute course changes. Follow us on social media (Instagram and Facebook) to be notified of any adjustments.
What is a Wave Start?
Corrals (or waves of participants) are assigned by mile pace during registration. 10K and 5K races start at different times, each with five corrals.
CORRAL PACE
Yellow 8 minutes per mile and faster
Blue 8 – 10 minutes
Green 10 – 11:30 minutes
White 11:30 – 13 minutes
Red Slower than 13 minutes & Walkers
Where and when do the races start?
S3 Turkey Trot 10K 7:30am Griswold & Fort St.
BCBSM Mashed Potato Mile 7:30am Atwater, behind HUNTINGTON PLACE
Stuffing Strut 5K 8:30am Griswold & Fort St.
ALL events finish on Atwater, behind Huntington Place, adjacent to the Detroit River.
How much time do I have to finish the race?
Because of America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White, all participants must be off the Woodward Ave. portion of the course by 9:10 AM. The 10K starts at 7:30 AM, you turn off Woodward at approximately the 4-mile mark. The 5K starts at 8:30 AM, and you turn off Woodward approximately half way through the race at the 1.5 mile mark.
The finish line at Huntington Place closes at 10:00 AM.
What should I know if I sign up for the Drumstick Double?
To run both the S3 Turkey Trot 10K and the 5K Stuffing Strut you should run fast enough to register for the yellow or blue corral (under a 10-minute mile).
All Drumstick Double participants will receive a special bib.
Drumstick Double participants will finish the 10K on Atwater, then walk/run back to the start line on Griswold.
Participants will receive their unique medal inside of Huntington Place – look for the Drumstick Double Awards Banners. DO NOT take a medal outside either time you cross the Finish Line.
Participants MUST have their special bib to receive a Drumstick Double finisher medal.
NOTE: If supplies permit, Drumstick Double runners may ask for an individual race medal in addition to the DD medal. Please inquire at the Information Table in Race Central after the race. We cannot guarantee this second medal, nor whether it will be from the 5K or 10K race.
What should I know if I sign up for the Cranberry Combo?
The Mashed Potato Mile starts at 7:30am on Atwater, behind Huntington Place, and finishes at the same location. The 5K Stuffing Strut starts on Griswold and Fort St. at 8:30am (about 0.3 mile away).
Cranberry Combo participants will receive a special Cranberry Combo bib. You will receive a unique medal inside Huntington Place after you complete the second race. Look for the Cranberry Combo Awards Banners. DO NOT take a medal either time you cross the Finish Line. You must have your Cranberry Combo bib to receive the medal.
NOTE: If supplies permit, Cranberry Combo runners may ask for an individual race medal in addition to the CC medal. Please inquire at the Information Table in Race Central after the race. We cannot guarantee this second medal, nor whether it will be from the 5K or 1 Mile race.
What is a “packet,” when you reference Packet Pick up?
For those new to racing, a packet includes your number bib and your event shirt. The S3 Turkey Trot offers Advance Packet Pick up at several locations around the metro area from November 16, 2024 through November 23, 2024, in addition to a pick-up option at the Turkey Trot Race Central on November 27, 2024 and November 28, 2024.
Can someone else pick up my Race Packet or vice versa?
Yes. At the advance pick-up locations, participants will need the name & zip code used during registration. Please be sure of the spelling and zip code accuracy. It speeds up the process to have names and zip codes written down when you arrive, especially if you are picking up more than one packet. Since race numbers are not assigned until pick up, packets may be picked up at whichever location is most convenient for the participant.
How do I know what shirt size to order at registration?
Shirt sizing is unisex this year! Please refer to the size chart available on our online registration page before choosing a size.
Shirts are ordered months in advance of the event, based on estimates. Therefore, we may not have enough of every size available at every packet pick up location on any given day. We advise you to pick your packet up early to ensure your size. Shirts cannot be exchanged for a different size at any of the advance packet pick up locations. For the Drumstick Double and Cranberry Combo events, participants receive one shirt.
Where do I find the race results?
Each bib includes a QR code (a computerized identification symbol). If you have a code reader setting or app on your smart phone (such as QR Droid or QR Code Reader), you may scan your bib and receive your results within an hour of finishing. Participants can also ask one of our information volunteers for assistance with scanning the QR code. Results are posted online, after 4:00 PM at Results and Photos (enmotive.com) and http://www.runmichigan.com.
Results links will be posted on our event website, as well as our social media outlets (Instagram and Facebook).
The 10K, 5K, Drumstick Double and Cranberry Combo are all B-tag timed (chip on back of bib number). Participants in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mashed Potato Mile have clock timing, which means you need to mark your own start and finish time.
Will water and food be available for participants?
We have two water stations on the courses, one water station at the Finish Line, and refreshments available inside of Hall E of Huntington Place (formerly TCF/Cobo).
Are there restrooms on the course?
Yes. Portable restrooms can be found along the course route. Additional restrooms are available on the first two levels of Huntington Place.
Where should I park on race day? And what time should I get there?
Event organizers are working to provide the most convenient parking locations for our volunteers and participants. Primary locations are:
- Huntington Place (both underground and rooftop)
- Millennium Garage, 432 W. Congress (across from Huntington Place)
- Center Garage (SP+ Parking): 414 Renaissance Drive West adjacent to the Renaissance Center
NOTE that all listed parking garages are “Pay by Charge Card” ONLY.
Wherever you plan to park – GET THERE EARLY! That’s the best advice we can give. Arrive at your parking lot of choice no later than 6:15 AM on race morning, no matter which race you attend.
Are there discounts at local hotels if I want to spend the night in Detroit before race day?
A very limited number of discounted hotel rooms is available at the Marriott inside of the Renaissance Center. When booking, use this link: https://book.passkey.com/go/ParadeCompanyTurkeyTrot
NOTE: The discounted rooms at the Marriott inside of the Renaissance Center are available on a first come, first serve basis. Once they are sold out, we recommend checking one of the discount services like Expedia or Hotels.com.
Do people really wear costumes?
Most definitely. Costumes make our S3 Turkey Trot “The Parade before the Parade!” Wearing costumes is a time-honored tradition and highly encouraged! There are not awards for best costumes, however.
Do you offer Gear Check?
Yes. The Gear Check area is located inside Huntington Place Atrium, which is adjacent to the Hall E. The Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot and The Parade Company are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Participants will receive a clear plastic bag for gear to be checked. All items for gear check MUST fit inside of the bag provided. Any bag inside of Huntington Place is subject to a security check.
Will there be Awards?
First place awards will be given for men’s 10k, 5k, Drumstick Double and Cranberry Combo winners and women’s 10k, 5k, Drumstick Double and Cranberry Combo winners.
Can I switch races?
If you decide to switch races after you have registered, but before race day, please email the change request to our Registration Director, Mark Koehl, at mkoehl@theparade.org. If you already picked up your packet, be sure to provide Mark with your assigned bib number.
If you decide to switch on Race Day, you need to go to the Help Desk at Huntington Place Race Central inside of Hall E.
Are strollers allowed on the course?
Yes, participants can run with baby joggers or strollers in the slower waves (NOT in the yellow or blue waves). Event organizers strongly request that participants utilizing a baby jogger or other stroller start in or near the back of the participant group for both the participant’s safety and the safety of others.
Are wheelchairs or handcycles allowed on the course?
Because of safety issues we do not permit hand cyclists to participate. Wheelchair participants can take part in the slower waves (NOT in the yellow or blue waves). Event organizers strongly request that participants utilizing wheelchairs start in or near the back of the participant group for both the participant’s safety and the safety of others.
Can I run with my dog?
Due to course congestion and Huntington Place’s policy against animals, event organizers do not allow dogs or animals of any kind to participate in the Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot events.
Are there any Age Restrictions for the races?
No. Event organizers ask that young children be accompanied by an adult, even for the BCBSM Mashed Potato Mile.
Didn’t find the answer to your question?
Send us a message on social media OR email us at TurkeyTrot@theparade.org.
