Waynesville Sunrise Rotary Turkey Trot
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Waynesville Sunrise Rotary Turkey Trot
The Waynesville Sunrise Rotary Turkey Trot is a community road race held on Thanksgiving Day at Lake Junaluska, NC. The event features a 5K course that starts and finishes at Weldon Gym and follows a clockwise loop around Lake Junaluska. There is one water station on course.
The 2026 beneficiaries include Scholarships for Haywood Schools Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Mountain Projects, Helene recovery, and other local Haywood County projects. Race capacity has been increased to 800 participants.
Packet pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, November 25, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Bosus Wine Shop, 138 Miller Street, Waynesville, and on Thursday morning at the Weldon Outdoor Gymnasium at Lake Junaluska. Indoor restrooms are adjacent to Weldon Gymnasium, with supplemental portable toilets available. Well behaved, vaccinated dogs on leashes are allowed; runners with dogs are asked to start at the back of the pack.
Timing is handled with a chip in the race bib that records time at the start and finish mats; bibs should be worn on the front for visibility. Post-race drinks and snacks are provided prior to the awards. Awards include prizes for the top three overall male and female, top Masters 40 and over male and female, and age-group awards for first through third across youth to senior categories. There is a no refund policy, and transfers to another person carry a fee and a deadline. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
