Tom O'Reilly Turkey Trot 5k
About the race
Join us the last Saturday before Thanksgiving for our seventh annual "Tom O'Reilly Turkey Trot 5k," once again in November. Come run with us to celebrate Thanksgiving as we honor the memory of our race's namesake, Tom 'Dragon' O'Reilly.
Held Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Colonial Park, 156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, NJ 08873, the event offers a 5K, a 1 Mile Fun Run, and a Both Events Bundle. Registration is open, with fees of $25 for the 5K, $20 for the Fun Run, and $35 for the bundle through August 31, rising at later deadlines to $40, $35, and $60 on race day, November 21.
Courses & distances
Both Events Bundle
Starts: Sat, Nov 21 · 9:00 AM
Tom O'Reilly Turkey Trot 5k
Distance: 5K
Starts: Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 AM
1 Mile Fun Run
Distance: 1 Mile
Starts: Sat, Nov 21 · 9:00 AM
Race day schedule
Race day
- Race day registration and packet pick-up: 8:00 am - 9:45 am in Knob Hill Pavilion (Lot C)
- Start time: 10:00 am, November 21st
- Awards: Beginning at 10:45 am under the Knob Hill Pavilion
Pre-race packet pick-up
- Road Runner Sports, North Brunswick (501 Shoppes Blvd, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902): 4-7 PM on November 20th
Race location
Somerset County Park Commission's Colonial Park
156 Mettlers Road
Franklin Township
Parking: Only available in Lot B. Please enter from the Mettlers Rd. entrance to the park, especially if you are arriving after 8:30 am. The main road in the park will be closed at 8:30 am as we prepare for the trot.
Race registration pricing
- $25 early bird until August 31st, 11:59 pm
- $30 from 9/1 until October 21st, 11:59 pm
- $35 from 10/22 until November 19th, 11:59 pm
- $40 race-day registration, no discounts
$3 discount for RVRR/USATF members during pre-registration.
Race shirts: Register by 11:59 pm on Saturday, November 1st to guarantee a race shirt. Shirts are not guaranteed to race day registrants or those who register after November 1st.
Awards
Awards will be given to the first, second and third overall male and female.
Age group awards will be given to first, second and third place male/female finishers in the following categories: 15 and under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90 and over.
1 mile fun run
Fun run start time: 9:00 am, November 21st
- Kids 10 and under run free.
- Register for both events to get $10-$15 off your fun run registration.
- $20 early bird until August 31st, 11:59 pm
- $25 from 9/1 until October 21st, 11:59 pm
- $30 from 10/22 until November 19th, 11:59 pm
- $35 race-day registration
Fun run awards: Fun run registrants will not receive a race shirt, but will receive a participation medal.
The course
Course and amenities
- Course: Flat and fast. Race starts and ends in Colonial Park.
- Water stops: One water stop on the course.
- Post-race refreshments: Bottled water, beverages and snacks at Knob Hill Pavilion.
Location
City insight: Somerset
Somerset is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Pulaski County in south-central Kentucky, with a population of 11,924 at the 2020 census. Its micropolitan area includes the entire county. The climate is humid with hot summers and cold winters, so spring and autumn are the best seasons to race.
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