Valparaiso
Turkey Trot

On Thursday, November 22, 2018, the Porter-Starke Services Foundation hosts the 16th Annual Valparaiso Turkey Trot. The event remains the largest running event in Northwest Indiana with close to 4,000 participants.

With thoughtful evaluation and community/participant feedback, we have made changes this year to ensure that the Valparaiso Turkey Trot remains a fun, safe and family-friendly community event for participants of all ages. 

• New, True 5K route. Our new route provides a true 3.1 mile experience for participants of all abilities and ages. Flat, fast, and perfect for setting your 2018 5K personal record!

• Top Six Male and Female Finishers in each age group will be awarded medals at post-race award ceremony.

• Music stations and digital mile marker clocks will be added along the completely closed and secure route. 

We truly appreciate everyone that participates in the Valparaiso Turkey Trot. Thank you for supporting mental health and wellness services in Northwest Indiana, while joining this healthy way to start Thanksgiving Day! We hope to see you November 22 at the Valparaiso Turkey Trot!

The current construction at Valparaiso High School has required us to relocate our Start and Finish area, re-configure our race course, and re-examine several other aspects of our event. As part of this process, we had to take into consideration the ever increasing challenges of securing and monitoring 4,000 participants spanning more than 9 miles of city streets. Additionally, we had to consider the impact an event of this magnitude has on the community and neighborhoods involved, as well as the strain it places on city services on a holiday. After very careful consideration, it was decided to discontinue the 10K division of our event.

We understand this was a popular race option. Please know the decision to discontinue the 10K was not an easy one to make. In keeping with our goal to provide our participants with the highest quality running experience, while keeping our runners safety our highest priority, it was a decision we felt was in the best interest of all involved.

However, we also believe that every challenge creates new opportunities. While we will miss the 10K, its absence will allow us to direct our energy and resources into making the 5K race even better. 

Please join us this year and kick off your holiday season with the Valparaiso Turkey Trot 5K – a healthy way to start Thanksgiving Day!