This Year's Turkey Trot Will Take Runners on a New Path

Anyone who has run in the annual Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot can attest to the run's immense popularity. The 5-k draws between 6,000 and 7,000 runners to Elmhurst on Thanksgiving Day each year.

This year, six DuPage County charities will benefit from the event, and each charity is running its own promotional campaign. This led the Turkey Trot Committee to anticipate a greater turnout than in past years and a need to make some changes to accommodate the bigger crowd.

"The Prairie Path has exceeded its capacity and posses several safety concerns," committee members said in a memo to the City Council.

So on Monday, Elmhurst City Council members unanimously approved a new route for the Turkey Trot, which this year will be held on Nov. 24. The 28th annual run will start at York and South streets as in previous years, and will travel north on York to Park Street, around Elmhurst College, and back down Cottage Hill to York and South.

"We're really happy runners will get a chance to come through this area," 1st Ward Alderman Diane Gutenkauf said Monday. "We'll get a chance to show off a little bit. It will showcase downtown Elmhurst."

She said 1st Ward residents will be inconvenienced a little, but they will be notified in advance, and it's all for a good cause.

"I don't think it's possible to over-notify people that something like this is going to happen," she said. "The city will send out information, you will see signage indicating what roads will be affected."

A portion of St. Charles Road and other streets will be closed, and more barricades and staff will be needed, but the Turkey Trot Committee is willing to share the additional cost with the city. It is anticipated the race will cost $6,000 this year, up from $3,000 last year.

This year's race will raise money for United Community Concerns Association, DuPage PADS, People's Resource Center, Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, West Suburban Community Pantry and Catholic Charities—DuPage Emergency Services. The tent opens for race-day registration at 6:30 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. sharp.

For more information or to register, click here.