Despite living in the area for 25 years, this is the first year I have ever run the largest Charlotte area Turkey Trot. The race caps at 10,000 and sold out this year, but don't let that scare you, it is crazy well organized.

First of all, you get not just 1 or 2 days to pick up your packet, but WEEKS! Packet pickups can be done well in advance at a variety of locations, which I will say, is awesome for the convenience, but does make it so that there is not really an Expo style pre-race event. I picked up my packet at one of the last pick up options which was at the park where the race was held. It was raining that day, but the pick up was covered and I walked right up to the table, gave my info and was issued my bib, given a post-race beer ticket and my shirt. The shirts were long sleeve cotton T-shirts, not my favorite race shirts, but still a nice shirt. I wore it after I was showered post-race, but will probably not keep long term.

There are 2 distances for the Charlotte Turkey Trot, the 8K and the 5K. I was registered for the 8K. The 8K started at 8:10 am and before the race, there were lots of tents set up and vendors with coffee. There were also LOADS of potties. The 8K had the fewer participants and was an hour earlier than the 5K, so when I arrived there was plenty of places to park (race was next to South Park Mall and all their decks were open since the mall was closed for Thanksgiving). I was able to walk around a bit, go to the potty and get into a corral with plenty of time. There were 2 corrals, one for walkers and one for runners. When the race started, they let the whole runner side go first, then the walker side. This was repeated for the 5K and hour later.

The course was a good one, fairly standardly hilly for a Charlotte race. While this was my first Turkey Trot, I had run another race at this location before so I knew what to expect. My only complaint was that there was no aid station on the 8K course until almost mile 4, and just the 1. Had I known, I would have carried water. The aid station seemed to be a bit past the halfway point for the 5K, which would have been fine, but for the 8K, it made for a long almost 4 miles. Also, right before the water station, was a Apple Pie Shots station, but I don't know if that was organized by the race, or just some kind souls who wanted to spread some cheer. I don't usually partake during a race, but this time, I did!

Overall, the race was fun, lots of people cheering and I had a blast. I was able to run the 8K and get back over to the start to cheer on some friends running the 5K. After, there were loads of vendors and lots of free beer opportunities. I would for sure recommend this race, and happily run it again.