Michiana's Thanksgiving Tradition is a community event to be shared with loved ones - family & friends. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to spend together - a time of gratitude for all we have!

An event on Thanksgiving morning? What? It's a great way to get some fresh air, "earn your pie" 🥧, and do something for others at the same time. Every dime raised through your entry fees goes right to Faith Mission of Michiana to help feed and house those in need!  (Sponsors cover fixed cost of the event)

Be sure to  ask around your work, friends, and people in your neighborhood - do they have something to do on Thanksgiving? Invite them to join you! 

This is not intended to be an all morning activity, just a great way to get some fresh air, some nature for an hour and be with others for this community fundraiser.

Course Description

• 10k Run, 5k Run, 5k Walk
  • You will begin on Jackson Street in Elkhart and run through the north end of town, then loop around through the historic neighborhood of Strong Avenue, with its wider streets and unique homes! We spread people out at the start so that you can go at your own pace and enjoy your morning.
  • The 10k does a lap around McNaughton park, which includes one small hill!
• 1mile Walk
  • This is a lovely walk around Island Park, which you reach by crossing a bridge over the river, it is completely surrounded by water. The trees are turning and it makes for lovely photo ops.
  • Not a runner, that's ok! You can bring the stroller with your coffee and get your steps in with your house guests before the days festivities!

New this year:

• 10k Run course will not merge with 5K course on Strong Avenue, rather head back on Lexington out of the park!
• FOUR, yes four, different locations to pick up your packets so that you can avoid lines on Thanksgiving morning!
• We encourage people to pick up for their friends and family!  
  • Finisher medals for all participants at the finish line.
  • If you didn't get one last year, you can pick up during registration this year

Packet Pick up & Registration

Pick up your race packet before race day - avoid the line - you have double the packet pickup options this year so that can sleep in on race day.  You don't have to let us know which location, you can go to any location!  We are literally hauling everything around to make it easy for you!

• SOUTH BEND - Sunday, November 23 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at The Lauber, 504 East LaSalle
• GOSHEN - Monday, November 24 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Goshen Brewing Company, 315 W Washington
• MISHAWAKA - Tuesday, November 25 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Fleet Feet Mishawaka, 3522 Grape Road
• ELKHART - Wednesday, November 26 from 12:00pm - 6:00pm at Elkhart Health & Aquatics, 200 East Jackson
• Race Day- (last minute - expect a long line) Thursday, November 27 from 6:30am - 8:15am at Elkhart Health & Aquatics, 200 East Jackson

*Shirts were ordered on 3 November 2025. If you can select a size, it is available for you!  You can always check back at the end of the race to swap out sizes and purchase a shirt.

Group Registration ended Sunday, Nov 16 at midnight!- If you have three or more people in your party, you can create a group name and pick up all the packets in one fell swoop.  We will pull them and put them together under your group name.

Race Day

Join your community for Michiana's Thanksgiving Tradition - bring your dog, your friends, and your family to do something good for others. Fresh air and exercise help you earn your second slice of pie!

If you have your bib, you can go directly to your starting corral by 8:00am on race day. Corrals are based on the event you’re participating in - see below.

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:00am on race day

 

Race Day Schedule

• 6:30am - Doors open to Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center for packet pickup
• 8:00am - Gather in your corral along Jackson
  • 8:10am - 10k Runners line up in 1st corral on Jackson
  • 8:10am - 5k Runners line up in 2nd corral on Jackson
  • 8:10am - 5k Walkers line up in 3rd corral on Jackson
  • 8:10am - 1mile Walkers line up in 4th corral on Jackson

• 8:10am - Welcome to Elkhart, Mayor Rod Roberson 
• 8:20am - Faith Mission Welcome and Prayer
• 8:25am - Mandatory Race Safety Comments and Instructions
• 8:30am - 10k Run starts (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
  • 8:34am - Turkey Rabbit is released with a 45 second head start
• 8:35am - 5k Run starts (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
• 8:40am - 5k Walk starts (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
• 8:45am - 1mile Walk starts, lead by Gobbles the Turkey (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
• 10:30am - Course is closed 🦃🦃 HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🦃🦃

Port-a-johns are available on Jackson by the starting corrals to make it more convenient for you to go directly to your corral and cut down on wait times.

Water and refreshments will be served at the finish line of the event.

Finisher medal - everyone receives a finisher medal - medals will be on display for pickup at the finish of the race.

Awards ceremony - there is no official awards ceremony, we know people want to leave and get back to their holiday festivities. asap.  If you signed up for either run, your time will be posted on the Monster Message Board as soon as you cross and pushed to an online source.

We do offer the coveted turkey awards for the top three overall men and women that finish the 5K and 10K. Come to the wagon up by the timing trailer by the start finish line, and we will take care of you!

Additionally, we offer $25 cash to the first male and female to "Catch the Turkey! "(Not a real turkey, Francis Disori is dressed up as a turkey--honor system here- so first female and male to pass him win).

Results will be on the Monster Message Jumbotron and posted immediately online at turkeystampede.com/results, EpicRaceTiming.com, and later on Stone Soup Promotions.

 

Parking Areas in Elkhart

There is plenty of parking in Elkhart! If you are not familiar with the area, please check out parking lots adjacent to your starting corral - consider parking in one of these lots:

(Check out this Interactive map - includes corrals, race routes, parking, mile markers, and start-finish line)

• 10k Runners
  • Electric Brew (113 E Lexington Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • The Vine (214 S Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Fifth Third Bank (400 N Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • KeyBank (101 S Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Centier Bank (100 S Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• 5k Runners 
  • INOVA (358 S Elkhart Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Brass Elk (333 Nibco Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Star Martial Arts (123 N Elkhart Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Public Parking (200 N Clark Street, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• 5k Walkers
  • Rocket Automatic Car Wash (515 E Lexington Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Principle Roofing (318 S Elkhart Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Exclusive Customs (126 S Elkhart Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• 1-Mile Walkers
  • Hacienda (186 Easy Shopping Place, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Volcano Pizza (126 Easy Shopping Place, Elkhart, IN 46516)

Program one of these parking lot addresses into your GPS for race day.
Go directly to your parking lot, and then go directly to your corral for the best race day experience!

NEW IN 2025

We are setting up "corrals" or groupings of people in the various distances down Jackson to spread out the field. Please head to your area for your race start!  This will significantly help the flow of the start!

 

Corrals

Corrals are designated starting area for your race group. This helps avoid tripping hazards at the start line and on the course, and alleviates potential congestion within that first mile. It spreads out runners to make the start as safe and smooth as possible, and helps avoid confusion on race day.

For the best race day experience for everyone, please follow these instructions!

Where each corral area assembles:

• 10k runners start at Nibco Parkway
• 5k runners assemble at Clark Street
• 5k walkers assemble at Pacific Street
• 1-Mile walkers assemble on Jackson towards Elkhart Ave

FAQ

• Costumes? - Yes, please we encourage costumes, hats, and celebratory elements at the event.
• Strollers? - strollers are allowed on the course. Be aware of those around you.
  • Please start with people at your pace 
• Dogs? - We love dogs! Dogs are allowed on the course, collars and leash are required.
  • Pick up after your dog - we all thank you!!
  • Up-to-date on their shots
  • Trained dogs who are comfortable in crowds (not a puppy training event)
  • Your dog is trained for the distance
  • Please consider safety for your very small dog! This is a very large crowd!
  • Lead lines need to not impede other runners
  • Help us follow these guidelines so that we can continue to allow dogs at the event
  • Let's have fun!! 🦮🐶