Orland Park’s 38th annual Turkey Trot sold out its 1,100 spots at a record pace, according to the village, but families without a bib still have two Thanksgiving week events to enter.
The village has scheduled a kids’ race and diaper dash for Saturday, Nov. 21, and a parent-child free-throw contest for Sunday, Nov. 22, both at the Orland Park Sportsplex, 11351 W. 159th St. The Turkey Trot is scheduled for 8 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26.
Kids’ Turkey Trot and Diaper Dash
Races for children run from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m. Nov. 21, grouped by age. The Diaper Dash is for 1- and 2-year-olds. The Kids’ Turkey Trot is for ages 3 to 9.
Approximate start times:
• 8:30 a.m.: Age 1
• 8:45 a.m.: Age 2
• 9 a.m.: Age 3
• 9:20 a.m.: Age 4
• 9:35 a.m.: Age 5
• 9:50 a.m.: Age 6
• 10 a.m.: Age 7
• 10:15 a.m.: Ages 8 and 9
• 10:20 a.m.: Age 10
The Kids’ Turkey Trot costs $10 for Sportsplex members, $15 for Orland Park residents and $20 for nonresidents. The Diaper Dash costs $6 for members, $9 for residents and $14 for nonresidents.
Turkey Shoot Free-Throw Contest
Teams of one parent and one child will compete for a Thanksgiving turkey from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 22. Players are grouped by age, and younger children shoot with mini basketballs at smaller hoops. Parents may enter with more than one child.
Entry costs $5 for Sportsplex members, $7 for residents and $10 for nonresidents.
Turkey Trot
The 2.5-mile chip-timed cross-country course sends runners and walkers along paths and paved roads and through John Humphrey Woods. Strollers and pets are not allowed on the course.
Each participant gets a long-sleeved dri-fit shirt, refreshments and an entry in a post-race prize drawing. The top male and female finishers overall win turkeys. The top three men and women in each of 14 age divisions, from under 9 to 70 and older, win turkey trophies.
Registered runners can pick up packets Nov. 20 to 25 at The Human Race Sports, 15148 S. La Grange Road. Race-day pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. at the race site.
Registration for the kids’ races and the free-throw contest is at orlandpark.org/events. Event details and volunteer information are available at orlandpark.org, at (708) 403-5000 or at specialevents@orlandpark.org.
