Registration is now underway for the 2025 ACC Turkey Trot, giving Anderson Creek Club residents and guests a festive way to kick off Thanksgiving morning while supporting local students. The race will start and end at Anderson Creek Clubhouse at 125 Whispering Pines Dr. in Spring Lake.
The annual event is set for Thursday, Nov. 27, with all races starting and finishing just in front of the ACC Club House at Bunkers Bar and Grill. Organizers say the family-friendly morning will blend fitness, fun and philanthropy, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the David Levinson Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides financial assistance to rising college students from the Anderson Creek Club and Anderson Creek Crossing communities. Every registration helps expand educational opportunities for young people close to home.
The Turkey Trot schedule features something for nearly every age and pace. At 9 a.m., children under 12 can take part in a free half-mile fun run. The shorter distance is designed to give young runners the feel of race day excitement in a low-pressure setting. Every child who finishes the fun run will receive a finisher medal in recognition of their effort.
At 9:30 a.m., the main event, a 5K, will send walkers and runners onto a scenic course through the community. The 5K costs $35 in advance and $45 on race day.
Awards will be presented to the top three male and top three female finishers in the 5K. The event’s competitive side is balanced by its relaxed holiday spirit, with families, neighbors and friends invited to join in, whether they are racing for a personal best or simply strolling before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner.
Bunkers Bar and Grill, located at the ACC Club House, will open its doors to participants and spectators throughout the morning. Breakfast items will be available along with a selection of kid-friendly beverages and drinks for adults. Organizers say the hope is to create a festive gathering spot, where runners can warm up before the race and celebrate together afterward.
Residents can register online through RunReg at the Anderson Creek Club Turkey Trot page. The registration portal includes race day details, pricing and waiver information. Race organizers also maintain an event presence on Facebook, where updates, volunteer needs and last-minute announcements are shared with the community.
While Thanksgiving road races are now a common tradition across the United States, the roots of the “Turkey Trot” stretch back well over a century. One of the earliest and best-known holiday races started in Buffalo, New York, in 1896, helping establish the idea of lacing up for a run before the big meal. Over time, ‘Turkey Trots’ have grown into a national staple, with thousands of participants in cities and towns choosing to spend their holiday morning on the move.
The term “Turkey Trot” once had a very different association, however. In the early 20th century, it was also the name of a lively dance that stirred controversy in some social circles for its energetic and unconventional moves. Today, the race tradition has largely eclipsed the dance in the public mind, and “Turkey Trot” is more likely to call to mind running shoes than dance floors.
Organizers of the ACC Turkey Trot say they hope the event will become a lasting Thanksgiving tradition for families in the Anderson Creek area, one that blends the national custom of a holiday run with a local commitment to education. By participating, residents can get some exercise, enjoy time with neighbors and help deserving students move closer to their college goals.
Community members are encouraged to invite friends and family, form informal teams and dress in festive attire to celebrate the holiday with a healthy start. Whether participants line up for the free kids’ fun run, race the 5K or cheer from the sidelines with a warm drink from Bunkers, the morning is designed to offer a welcoming atmosphere for all.
For more information, residents can visit the 2025 ACC Turkey Trot registration page at RunReg and follow updates on the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/accturkeytrot. The message is simple: lace up, show up and help make a difference for local students this Thanksgiving.