Strap on your running shoes and get your turkey on! The 47th Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is just days away!  Second only to the Macy’s Day Parade, the Official Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is the largest Thanksgiving Day event of its kind in the world. It's not too late to join the generations of families who make this their Thanksgiving Day tradition.  

This year, participants and spectators alike are invited to join in all the fun leading up to the big event and take advantage of special offers presented by the Trot sponsors.  Fans can engage with the Trot’s online communities Facebook and Twitter leading up to the event for prizes, updates and posts from the treasured Trot mascot, Tommy the Turkey!

The original Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot was held at the Old Fairgrounds back in the early 1940s, but the long string of consecutive years began with the eight mile race back in 1968. The unique eight mile distance was created when the one hundred and seven participants were instructed to run along the shores of White Rock Lake “to the big oak tree and back”. By 1979, the race had become so popular that it was moved to the downtown area to accommodate more runners and to showcase “Big D”.   The 3 mile Fun Run/Walk was added in 1984 to accommodate the increased participation of individuals and families. In 2009 the distance was changed to 5K and the course was certified.

The Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is a YMCA tradition that draws people from all over the country each year. Even if you’re not a runner or walker, there are fun activities for the whole family to enjoy: clowns, pony rides, bounce houses, live musical entertainment and much more!

“Last year we were excited to be recognized in the ‘Top 5 Fun Runs’ to try in the United States,” said Sarah Byrom, Associate Vice President of Communications at YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “This year, we’re excited to offer several new fun features to our event and continue to provide an exceptional experience for our race participants.”

Features of the 2014 Dallas Turkey Trot include:

New Mobile Safety notification system for emergency alerts and critical communications

As part of a focused effort to provide a better and safer race, Trot participants will have the opportunity to sign up via their mobile phone by texting the word “TROT” to 444222 to receive important updates on the day of the event.  The Dallas Y is proud to make available RedFlag, a mass notification system, to be used to allow our race coordination team quickly communicate last-minute updates as well as time sensitive information should an emergency arise.

25 Free Visits to a Dallas YMCA with your race registration

Participants of the Trot get a leg up on their training and gain access to the Dallas area Y facilities and skilled training staff with this year’s registration.  A complimentary 25-visit membership is provided with race registration confirmations and can be used at any of the Dallas Y’s 22 area branch locations.

Excited to join in on Dallas’s official Thanksgiving tradition? Here’s what you need to know: It is not to late to register,  race registration is $35 through Nov. 26. To register online go to www.thetrot.org.   Race day registration onsite is $45. Trot Tot registration for children 6 and under is $15. The Trot includes a certified 5K, and a unique 8-mile race distance course.  Again this year there is the option for all participants to be chip timed in both the 5k and 8-mile race with a $5 timing charge.Packet Pick-up for on-line registration and walk-ins will continue through Wednesday, Nov. 26th at Luke’s Locker locations in Dallas at 3046 Mockingbird Lane until 5 p.m. in Allen at Shops at Watters Creek, Plano at Shops at Legacy and Highland Village at The Shops at Highland Village until 3 pm on Wednesday. Register your dog for $10 and receive a cool Y-Trot bandana and race bib for your 4-legged friends.

Join the fun and kick off our family's  holidays in a healthy way.

The YMCA is excited to announce the move to the interim facility for the Park Cities YMCA.  On January 2^nd,  2015, the Y is slated to open the doors to the interim Y, located at 6030 Luther Lane, Suite 180 in Preston Center, facing Westchester across from the Black Eyed Pea. The YMCA will remain at this location throughout the construction of the new Moody Family YMCA in the Park Cities. 

“This is just the next step in our exciting journey to a new YMCA in the Park Cities. As we make this move, we will see the pace of the project accelerate along with donations and naming rights,” said John Palms, Park Cities YMCA Board of Management Chair.

The Preston Center Y location is a 15,000 square foot facility, which includes a 3,500 sf fitness area, spin and group exercise rooms, a child watch area, multi- purpose meeting space, and men and women’s shower and locker rooms. Anticipated construction for the new Y is 12-16 months, with occupancy in the Preston Center space for the same amount of time.

The overall project of the new Moody Family YMCA in the Park Cities is a $28 million campaign, which we have currently raised nearly $16 million. Our volunteers continue to work hard in the community with not only key leaders but with all families to help to achieve this goal.

If you would like to leave a legacy gift to the Park Cities YMCA please contact Steve Nuehoff at 214/526-7293.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.  Anchored in 22 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcadallas.org