It's strange to be in a college town on a holiday; not only is the parking plentiful, it is FREE! Yes, FREE. FREE on the streets at metered spaces, and FREE in the parking garages. I parked at the Maynard Street garage (where the usually off-limits spaces are also fair game on holidays) and was within 3 minutes' walk of the registration.

The Ann Arbor Turkey Trot offers pre-race-day packet pickup, but I hadn't even pre-registered, so I couldn't take advantage of it. Race day packet pickup never seemed to have a long line, and there were plenty of volunteers doling out shirts and bibs and safety pins. Race day registration is available (cash, check, card) on-site, with the understanding that there are limited sizes available for the race shirts. (There were no medium, but plenty in every other size.) I showed up about an hour before the start of the race and had plenty of time to register, walk back to my car with the shirt, and attach my bib before anything happened. A separate table had a stack of forms and pens, and the line ahead of me had maybe 2 people in it. The registration was quick and painless, and there was a giant bank of porta potties nearby. Pro tip: the only thing open before the race start was a nearby Starbucks, so plan ahead if you want/need coffee!

People started to gather in force about 45 minutes before the start of the 5k turkey trot, and that's when the announcements and music began too. I used most of the pre-race time to look around what used to be a very familiar section of Ann Arbor and see what had changed since my last law school reunion. (Answer: LOTS.) The starting are was flanked with two giant inflatable turkeys as well as the start/finish arch.

First, there was a costume contest and some people took it very, very seriously! The categories included individual, ugly sweater, group, and kids. The winning group was dressed like parts of Thanksgiving dinner (broccoli, carrot, drumstick, etc.) and their costumes were made entirely of balloons! There were tons of silly hats and shirts on people of all ages. (As one teen boy near me said, "I love this race! It's an excuse to act like a doofus for three miles!") Costume contest winners were awarded trophies. Pro tip: if you want good pictures of the costumes, you need to stake out a spot early.

Next came the kids' race. This was a 1k Tot Trot (for kids under 10) with plenty of participation; adults registered for the race could run with their kids. I thought it was cute that every kid's bib had number 1 on it. (The kids' race is not timed, I think.) Kids also got a race shirt and the post-race goodies. Some of them then turned around and did the 5k with family (a few took a stroller ride, one or two went on piggyback, but many ran/walked). I didn't watch the kids' race because I was making my way to a more appropriate place in the corral for the 5k.

The 5k has a mass start, (The 5k is timed, with the foam covered timing chips that stick to the back of your bib.) According to the announcer there were over 3,000 people registered for the 2016 run. Given the number of participants (and strollers and large costumes), overall I think people did a pretty good job with self-seeding. The first half mile was rather crowded, but it eventually spread out significantly pretty quickly. There were runners and walkers of every level, from super competitive athlete to "I'm just here for the cookies."

The course is an out-and-back starting on East Liberty, heading down Main Street, curving around The Big House (that's the football stadium to the rest of you), doing a loopy thing through part of the neighborhoods, and then returning back up Main to East Liberty. It isn't 100% flat, but the hills are very gradual; the main uphill is on the way out, making the finish a nice downhill. There was one water stop about half way through the race, which was plenty for a 5k. While it was about 38 degrees when we started, it warmed up a little during the race; we had some sprinkles, not actual rain, so I was glad I had dressed in layers. (I took off my gloves, wool BUFF, and fleece running beanie during the race, but put them right back on when I was done.)

The finisher chute is not blocked off from the crowd (it is right at the finish line, but not through the water/snacks) but is fairly well organized. There were no massive traffic jams, and everyone was pretty nice. Each runner received a cute turkey medal on a thick ribbon with race-specific graphics. Post-race treats included bottled water, bananas, chocolate chip cookies, hot cocoa (perfect for dunking the cookies), coffee (with optional cream, sugar, etc.), and some boutique energy truffles. There was more than enugh for everyone, and I think we each could have eaten multiple bananas and cookies.

Awards included top overall male and female, and 5 places deep in each of 5 age divisions. I didn't watch the entire awards ceremony, but I did see that turkeys and pies were awarded along with the trophies. Liberty Plaza, the site of the awards ceremony, also had an inflatable Santa house, complete with a real bearded Santa outside for photo ops with the kids.

The t-shirts were long-sleeved heavier cotton shirts (Gildan) with the race design on them, available in unisex sizes only for adults. The kids got shirts in kids' sizes. Personally I find it very cute and do plan to wear it again.

Overall, this was a super easy, friendly, low-key Turkey Trot. I liked the course--who doesn't love a downhill finish?--and the atmosphere, and would definitely do this race again.