Athlete Guide
Welcome to the Turkey Trot Chicago
We are thrilled to have athletes begin their Thanksgiving holiday celebrations with us in the beautiful Lincoln Park. Whether you’re an experienced athlete or a first-time participant, this fun, light-hearted stroll along the lake will be an unforgettable experience.
As a friendly reminder, we want everyone to understand that the Turkey Trot Chicago isn’t a typical race, it’s a holiday celebration.
As you finalize your preparations, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the course details, review the race guidelines, and take advantage of our athlete resources available online and on-site. Our team is committed to ensuring that your experience is both rewarding and enjoyable.
Pre-Race Information
Schedule of Events
Packet Pickup
- Location: NEWCITY | 1457 N Halstead St. Suite C201 | Chicago, IL 60642 | Level two of the building where AMC is located
- Tuesday, November 25 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
Wednesday, November 26 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Tuesday, November 25 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
Thursday, November 28 (Race Day)
| 5:00 AM | Cannon Dr. closes to all vehicle traffic. |
| 6:00 AM - 8:45 AM | Race Day Packet Pick Up | Registration (Based on availability) |
| 6:00 AM | Gear Check opens. |
| 8:00 AM | Start Corrals Open | Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Pkwy |
| 9:00 AM | Race Start 5K & 8K |
| 9:30 AM | Start Line Corrals Close |
| 10:30 AM | Awards Ceremony + Costume Contest | Turkey Trot Tailgate Stage |
| 10:30 AM | Plymouth Rock Ramble Race Staging Begins | Diversey Harbor North Parking Lot |
| 11:00 AM | Plymouth Rock Ramble Kids Race Starts |
| 12:00 PM | Turkey Trot Tailgate and Gear Check Closes |
Packet Pickup
Location & Schedule
- NEWCITY | 1457 N Halstead St. Suite C201 | Chicago, IL 60642 | Level two of the building where AMC is located
- Tuesday, November 25 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
- Wednesday, November 26 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
Find out how bib assignments work, what you need to bring, and details on race day packet pickup, through the link below.
Holiday Travel
Hotel Bookings
If you’re traveling from out of town or wish to stay closer to the race venue during the weekend, you can take advantage of the best hotel rates available in the marketplace through our hotel partner – Hotel Planner. This partnership provides the following advantages to make your stay in the windy city a breeze.
Air Travel
If you plan on flying into Chicago, you have two airport options: Chicago Midway (MDW), located 11 miles southwest of downtown, and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) located 15 miles northwest of the city.
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- At Midway, the L Train line that operates from the airport to the Loop is the Orange Line. Additionally, you can order a rideshare service, taxi cab, and shuttle buses. For more information, please visit the link below.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- At O’Hare, the L Train line that operates from the airport to the Loop is the Blue Line. Additionally, you can order a rideshare service, taxi cab, and shuttle buses. For more information, please visit the link below.
Race Day Information
Race Morning Logistics
How to Get There & Where to Park
- Race Location: Diversey Harbor, Lincoln Park | 2601 N. Cannon Dr. | Chicago, IL 60614
- Transportation Options
- Due to limited parking in and around Lincoln Park. We highly encourage event participants and spectators to use mass transit, taxi cab or ride sharing services.
- Ride Sharing (Uber/Lyft)
- Public Transit (CTA)
- Taxi
- Drive on your own (or carpool)
- Due to limited parking in and around Lincoln Park. We highly encourage event participants and spectators to use mass transit, taxi cab or ride sharing services.
- Parking Options
- Please keep in mind that parking is limited near the Jackson Park area
- We highly encourage all athletes + spectators that will be driving race morning to carpool, if possible.
- Your best choice for parking is the Lincoln Park Zoo pay lot.
Turkey Trot Tailgate
Where all the fun happens
Imagine a cozy fall day filled with the scent of apple cider, the crunch of autumn leaves, and the laughter of family and friends, fresh from a brisk run to kick off the holiday. That’s the Turkey Day Tailgate! After crossing the finish line, head over to our celebration of the day featuring delicious treats, fun photo ops, and exciting activities for kids of all ages. It’s the ideal place to relax, refuel, and soak up the Thanksgiving spirit.
