Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is gearing up for its annual Turkey Trot 5K, an event that has been a staple in the community for over five decades. Scheduled to take place on November 14 at 4:30 p.m., the race will start at the east entrance of EMU's Rec/IM and wind through the campus.

Participants are encouraged to don seasonal costumes, with a costume contest offering swag bags as prizes for winners. Brett Carlisle, EMU sports programs and REC/IM special events coordinator, expressed his enthusiasm about the event. "The EMU Rec/IM Turkey Trot 5K run has been a long-standing tradition, and my hope is to get the community of Eastern, Ypsilanti and maybe even Ann Arbor involved to make it bigger and better," he said. "With 56 years and counting, we want to keep this tradition going while providing people with an amazing experience."

Registration for the event costs $10, which will benefit Swoop’s Pantry, a food pantry serving Eastern students. Discounts are available: $1 off for each non-perishable food item donated and $5 off for those who participated in the Train to Trot program. The event is open to everyone, regardless of student status or running experience.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 and is Michigan's second oldest public university. It serves nearly 13,000 students across various degree programs through its multiple colleges. The university is recognized nationally for its commitment to education excellence and diversity.