Northfield Rotary Turkey Trot
Save the date! November 27, 2025
Turkey Trot registration is open
Registration is now open for the 25th annual Northfield Rotary Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, a chip-timed 5K run or walk through Northfield’s scenic northeast neighborhoods.
Watch Jim's journey to the Turkey Trot
Those who register before Friday, Nov. 7, are guaranteed a commemorative, 25th anniversary, long-sleeve Turkey Trot T-shirt. Registrations will remain open until race time Thanksgiving morning, but T-shirts will be available only while they last. Go here to register for this year’s event.
Now in its 25th year, the Thanksgiving tradition for Northfield households, an unofficial homecoming for the 1,000 plus folks who gather on crisp Thanksgiving mornings to connect with old friends and neighbors. The turkey trot gives people an opportunity to express their gratitude by running or walking for a good cause. Funds raised at the Turkey Trot will support Rotary’s ongoing work with its youth exchange program and polio eradication. It also contributes to local and international service projects the club initiates.
Jim Loe, chair of Rotary’s Turkey Trot committee, said this event has become one of the community’s signature events, and he looks forward to seeing everyone on Thanksgiving morning.
“It had a modest beginning in the kitchen of one of our long-time members, Rob Bierman,” Loe said. “But it over the years it has become a staple on Northfield’s social calendar, bringing people together in common cause.”
EVENT DETAILS
The Turkey Trot will begin at Carleton College Weitz Center, 320 Third Street East, at 9 a.m. The course winds through the northeast section of town, north to south along Spring Creek Road and back towards the Weitz Center along Woodley, Seventh Street, Winona and Third.
The cost of the race is $30. Those who register online by Friday, Nov. 7, are guaranteed an official long-sleeve Turkey Trot T-shirt. Runners and walkers can sign up after that online or in-person at the Weitz Center on the day of the race, beginning at 8 a.m.
Runners and walkers are encouraged to bring their dogs to the event. Kids in strollers are welcome to ride along with their parents.
For those who will not be in town the day of the event, there is a “free-range” option. You can show your solidarity with Rotary and its goals by staging your own 5K with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day and upload a photo or video of your experience. Registration for the “free-range” run is also Friday, Nov. 7.
Questions?
We want to extend a special thank you to our business sponsors who continue to be so supportive of this event.
GOLD SPONSORS
American Center for Philanthropy
Community Resource Bank
Engage Printing
Merchants Bank
Neuger Communications
Northfield Automotive
Northfield Retirement Center Foundation by Vivie
Professional Dental Group
SILVER SPONSORS
BAMCO (McDonalds of Northfield)
Better Air
Carleton College
Edward Jones
Heritage Bank
Holden Farms
Keith Pumper Plumbing & Heating
Northfield Construction Company
Schmidt Homes
St. Olaf College
State Farm Insurance
Xcel Energy
BRONZE SPONSORS
Bierman, Benson and Langehough
Bolton & Menk
Compeer Financial
Countryside Animal Hospital
DSI Dicks Sanitation / Waste Connections
Dundas Storage
Fairfield Inn
Firehouse Liquor
Frago and Lasswell P.A.
Heritage Dental
Knecht's Nurseries
Knight Barry Title
Millersburg Construction
Northfield Hospital & Clinics
Northfield Insurance
Post Holdings
Premier Bank
Schmitz, Ophaug, LLP
Sterling Pharmacy (Astrup Drug)
