Turkey Trail 5K Run at Hoffmaster State park

Enjoy a challenging and scenic run through the back dunes of Lake Michigan at Hoffmaster State Park. All proceeds from this race will go to the Gillette Nature Association.

The Gillette Nature Association is a non-profit organization that promotes and sponsors interpretive activities and educational opportunities for the Muskegon and Ottawa county community surrounding the Gillette Visitor Center at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park.

With the assistance of volunteers, the Association hosts over 200 yearly events at the Gillette Visitor Center to heighten public awareness and preservation of the unique natural features of the park, reaching nearly 35,000 people a year.

In addition to hosting special events, the Association provides funding for new exhibits, interpretive trail markers, audio-visual programs, educational materials and educational outreach programs.

The Association is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. The Association raises funds through its membership program and several fund raising events throughout the year. All membership fees and donations are tax deductible

General Information:
Please arrive 45 minutes prior to race start time of 10:00am in order to ensure that you obtain your t-shirt, race bib/chip and race packet. Please stick around after the race for additional family fun events!  The Little Turkey 1 Mile Trot registration will be at 11:00am at the Visitors Center and is free! Please be there at 11am to sign forms and get a turkey bib for your child. An adult must accompany the child on the trail. Transportation will be provided from the beach parking lot to the Visitor Center for runners and visitors via trolley.

Race Location:
Start line and registration for the 5k will be at Hoffmaster State Park beach parking lot, and the finish will be at the Gillette Visitor Center. Make sure to have a recreation passport for park entry. The Little Turkey 1 Mile Trot will begin at 11:30 from the Visitors Center. Route may have a slight variation of distance based on GPS checks.

Fees:
Early Registration - $25.00
Late Registration November 3rd thru Race Day - $30.00

There is a small processing fee for online registration. Feel free to print off the attached registration form and mail it or drop to the Visitor Center at 6585 Lake Harbor  Muskegon, Mi 49441 . Please check www.gillettenature.org on hours of operation to avoid this fee.

The Little Turkey 1 Mile Trot is free. A prize will be given to children who complete the trot, no t-shirts will be given. An adult must accompany the child. You do not need to be at registration early, the trot will start at the Visitor Center- please register there at 11:00am. You may mail in a registration for both child and adult for the trot, no money is required, a donation is appreciated.

Race Packet pick-up:
All race packets are to be picked up the morning of the race near the start line. Pick up and late registration will begin at 9:00am race day. We may run out of shirts if you do not pre-register, so please sign up today! Online registration does have an additional fee, but you may mail in the attached registration form or stop out to the Visitor Center to drop it off. Please check www.gillettenature.org for fall hours. No refunds will be given.

Numbers for the Little Turkey Trot will be given out at the Visitors Center at 11am.

Awards:
Overall M/F winners.
Age groups will be three deep as follows:
13 and under, 14-16, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29,30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+ Results will be posted during the race and will be awarded immediately following. The Meatblock will be giving a turkey to the first place finisher in each age catagory!  So, get training so you can brag to your family on Thanksgiving that you won the bird with your amazing running skills. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsors! We couldn't do this without them!

We will also be holding a food drive for the Muskegon Salvation Army's food pantry, so bring a few canned goods with you. For every item donated you have a chance to win a gift basket full of items donated by local businesses. This is the perfect time to help other families in our community have a special Thanksgiving! You can drop items out to the center starting September 27th and get a head start on filling out those entries.

A big thank you to our early sponsors Adecco Employment Services, Tylers Sales- New Belgium Brewery, The Meat Block, Road ID, Dobb Printing, Community Shores Bank, Nowak Machined Products, and Grand Traverse Pie Co.

More Information at
www.gillettenature.org

A recreation passport is required for park entry.

Online registration ends on November 10th 9:00am.