FAQ
What time should we arrive? The race begins promptly at 8:00am I would recommend no later than 7:30 am but truly I would say 7:00 am as you will need to park and get over to the starting area. There will be pre race set up just outside the Tap Room at Gate City with Vendors , Race information tent , Music and restrooms. At 7:45am we will be sending everyone to the starting area where we will do announcements, national anthem, and starting of the race
Where do we park? Roswell City hall parking lot at 38 Hill Street Roswell GA and Roswell United Methodist Church lot on Magnolia are 2 large areas of parking. Please note Canton street at the intersection to of Magnolia /Atlanta street around the race start area will be closed at 6:30am that area will be closed up to Norcross street . At 7:45 am all of Canton Street and Woodstock road that are a part of the race course will be closed completely . Parking map can be found here https://www.roswellturkeyrun.com/Race/runningoftheturkeysga/Page-4
Will there be a photographer ? YES We will have someone taking photos before, during, and after, and they will be published to the website at NO CHARGE .. YUP! FREE PICTURES !!
How do the shirts fit -- can I just pick the size I want on the day I pick it up ? The color of the shirt will be a surprise this year. All shirts are unisex sizing but fit true-to-size. The shirts are a Blend, so they will not shrink. Shirt size only guaranteed if registered by November 10th. After that, we will only have what is available in inventory. We have to pre-order and sometimes it is tough to guess what people will want, which often leads to us having tons of extra shirts (but not in the size you want) :( Please do not ask to exchange your shirt size when you pick it up. If you bring your shirt on race day, after the race starts you can exchange it for a different size if it is available
If I'm virtual participant, how do I submit my time and receive packet? Any platform is acceptable. We will not require proof of time, but ask virtual participants to submit run time under results tab. Click here to submit virtual results. All virtual swag can be picked up at our live early/race day packet pickup. If you're not comfortable with that option, our race director will mail packets post live event.
Who is handling the water stations? Junction 311 Endurance Sports will own and take full responsibility for all water this year and beyond. Junction 311 Endurance Sports employees, along with some of our charitable partners, will be fully dedicated to the water stations.
Is this a hard race? Well ... it does have only 100 feet of elevation gain and "hard" is relative !! I think the better question would be "Is this race fun" and that answer could be quoted from Mr Kool-aid " OH YEAH " By far the most fun race I have ever ran !! I mean seriously its Thanksgiving and there are 3000 people running with turkey hats and gloves WE ARE TALKIN FUN !!
Can I use headphones? USATF has changed their rule to a suggestion, for the most part. Now, instead of telling you that you can’t use them, I can just recommend that you don’t use them. It’s really your call. Check the USATF web site for more info about all their rules. My only addition to this is ... If you have headphones in how will you hear all the cheers and Turkey that are chasing you ??
Can someone else pick up my race packet? Yes, you can pick up packets for friends, family, and coworkers. We are super laid back .. You just need the bar code /qr code from their registration email
Awards? 1st Place Overall Male/Female. Three deep in twelve different age groups. Overall awards are based on Gun Time and Age group awards are based on Chip Time!
Can I get a refund or sell my entry to someone else? NO REFUNDS! Refunds will not be issued for any reason unless you have purchased the "No Questions Asked Refund" option.. Registrations are not refundable. If you get injured or something, you can defer to next year, but you must do it before race day, and it is $10 fee when you offically transfer to the next year. You can transfer your entry to another person FREE. It must be done at least one week before race day.
If I do not like running with the Turkeys because they scare me or I am Vegan or I am superstitious should I run? Absolutely! It is just a theme ... Lets have fun earning your turkey!
Are Cartoon Turkeys real? Will they really be Chasing me? HMMM depends on who you ask.. It's best that I not be the one to break that to you.. and see above -- it's just a theme, Turkeys will not actually be running after you :)
Will you cancel this race if it is too Cold? WHAT?! NO !!! Its Thanksgiving !! Run before you eat even if it's cold, otherwise it will go right to your waist. Lighning is the only thing that can delay or cancel the race. If the race is cancel due to lightning please note the waiver policy at sign up as there are no refunds you will just go home talk politics and eat turkey
I am an elite runner but missed the registration because it sold out. Because I am a special person will you invite me to run in your race and give me an extra slot? Aw Hell NO! You are still a human being right? Then register in the appropriate window of time that every other human being has to register in. Turkeys don’t care if you do a sub 5-minute mile and somebody else does a 20-minute mile. They will go after either of you. And trust me they are faster than you anyway. They are used to getting chased for dinner.
Can I take a Baby Jogger on the course? YES Strollers are WELCOME for this race !! We just ask you be polite to the other runners. If you plan to push slower please do not start in the front. Also, we ask that you not run over any of the turkeys in front of you
Is this Race PET FRIENDLY ? NO ... We love our furry family members, but unfortunately with the amount of people running it is not safe to have your pet running as it could endanger others. Trust me, I understand -- my dog is amazing and is so well-behaved. However the leash can trip runners and as well-behaved as you may think.. When a turkey runs by, you cannot predict your dog's behavior !!
Do you have TIME LIMITS? The race starts at 8:00 AM and you will have until 9:15 AM to clear the course. A slow walk is about 20 minutes per mile. If you have not cleared Woodstock Road by 9:00 AM, the Police will direct you to the sidewalk to finish the remaining part of the race ... HOWEVER, most walkers will do this in an hour or less so you should be fine :)
Finisher Medals, will there be any? NO ... Your medal is your pair of Turkey gloves .. and trust me its WAY cooler than any cheap medal you would get for a 5K anyway
What’s the course like? Its 5K .. 3.10 miles ..Starts on Canton Street, turns left on to Woodstock Road .. Turns right into Roswell Area Park ... Goes to the back of RAP and comes back the way you came out. The first mile is downhill - The second mile is rolling with one hill - The third mile is flat to downhill for a fast finish see Course link on main page for more detail
Chip timed? Yup. GOBBLE GOBBLE
What are my options if a "live" event is postponed, cancelled or virtual? Mother nature is typically good on Thanksgiving BUT see race waiver when signing up for more details
Will Gate City Be Open before and after race ? YES !! Make sure to bring your credit card .. You can also use Apple Pay . YES I KNOW ITS THANKSGIVING BUT .... Even I was shocked at how many people were drinking before and after the race !! ITS TIME TO CELEBRATE and Gate City is there to help !!
Suppose that I’ve carefully read all of these questions and answers and I STILL can’t figure out what the heck is going on. How do I contact the race director? Well, you can email the race director, at jason@junction311.com and ask your question. Keep in mind there ARE silly questions and if you ask for an entry after it is sold out you may not get a response.