Reidsville Family YMCA Turkey Trot

Join us for the 2026 NC AAZK Zoo Dash 5K: Race to Protect the Wild on Saturday, May 30, with a 7:30 am start at Jaycee Park in Greensboro, NC.

This race is hosted by NC AAZK, the North Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. AAZK is a nonprofit volunteer organization made up of professional zookeepers and others dedicated to animal care, conservation, and education. This event supports conservation efforts locally and around the world.

Proceeds from the race benefit the following conservation organizations:

• Turtle Survival Alliance

• Anteaters and Highways

• Piedmont Land Conservancy

• NC AAZK

Course Description

The 5K course winds through Country Park in Greensboro and the Greensboro Science Center's zoo. The route is fully paved with rolling terrain and plenty of scenery along the way.

The start is located at the Jaycee Park parking lot, and the finish is located near the Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel, making it easy for friends and family to cheer you on. Spectators will not be permitted on the course inside the GSC during the race, but are allowed in Country Park.

Please visit the City of Greensboro Jaycee Park website for directions. Parking will be at Jaycee Park (3899 Jaycee Park Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455). Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Late arrivals will not be allowed to participate for the safety of the runners.

Restrictions

Race will take place rain or shine, and the registration fee is nonrefundable.

Walkers welcome! Participants must be able to complete the course within 90 minutes (~28 min/mile pace).

Strollers are allowed. Please be aware that some areas of the course may be narrow with uneven surfaces.

Only service animals are allowed at the GSC. Please leave all other animals at home!

Participant Information

This event is open to all ages and abilities. Runners and walkers are welcome. Participants must be able to complete the course within 90 minutes, which is when the course closes.

Adult price:

$40.00

Youth price (under 18):

$35.00

Online Registration Fee Includes:

Timing chip, a race t-shirt, and general admission pass to the Greensboro Science Center.

Race Time: 7:30 am to 9:00 am

6:30 am - Packet pick-up begins

7:30 am - Race begins

Awards will be given to the overall top three male and female finishers as well as the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age categories: 12 and under; 13-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60 and over.

Registration is limited to 500 participants.

On June 3rd, let’s inspire the runner in everyone.

The Big Run and Matt's Run to Fight Hunger have combined forces to make Global Running Day in the Triad the best ever! All proceeds from the race will go to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Come run with us on June 3, 2026! This is a free fun run. Yes, free. We do ask that each person make a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank in order to receive an event t-shirt. You may pick up your race shirt at Fleet Feet Greensboro on June 2nd from 4-6pm or on the day of the event, June 3rd, 2026 from 12-4pm at Fleet Feet Greensboro and at the race site from 5:30-6:15pm. The run will actually start and finish in the parking lot next to Mt. Pisgah Church at 2600 Pisgah Church Rd. To ensure you get a t-shirt, please register by May 18, 2026. You may register race day and pick up your shirt from 5:30-6:15pm at this location.

Why? Because RUNNING CHANGES EVERYTHING™.

Help Us Give Back: We want to support our local community and give back to the Second Harvest Food Bank. All proceeds from the event will go towards Second Harvest Food Bank and any additional donations would be appreciated. Each dollar collected for this event provides 6 meals from Second Harvest to those in need.

Stay inspired:

● Not sure where to start? Come see us so we can outfit you in the best gear, talk about your goals, and make sure you meet them. We're here to help.

● Search #thebigrun on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to see how our epic coast-to-coast running community celebrated at The Big Run last year.

About Matt's Run to Fight Hunger: Matt’s Run to Fight Hunger originated to celebrate Matt Ketterman’s 23-year running streak of not missing a day. Yes, that is 8,700 days in a row. While Matt retired his streak due to surgery in 2015, his passion for feeding hungry families continues. Second Harvest Food Bank has been the recipient of thousands of meals due to the generosity of those of you in the running community!

About Fleet Feet: Committed to providing expert advice, data-driven insights, head-to-toe product solutions, and robust training programs, each Fleet Feet location serves runners based on the belief that RUNNING CHANGES EVERYTHING™. Learn more at fleetfeet.com

Celebrate five decades of running with Fleet Feet at The Big Run presented by Brooks. This community 5K, to celebrate Global Running Day, is all about summer vibes, shared memories and the kind of runner’s high that keeps you coming back. Register today for The Big Run and let the good miles roll!

For 2026, we are back at Ivey Redmon Park and look forward to celebrating running with you! Huge thanks to Brooks Sports who is generously sponsoring The Big Run nationwide.

You'll have a chance to run (or walk!) on the beautiful course cross-country course. Once you hit the finish line, join our post-race expo! Race shirts are guaranteed to the first 350 5K registrants and 80 fun run registrants.

Because this is a cross-country course, there are three different heats:

Heat 1 = Expected finish time under 30 minutes; the more competitive runners should choose this heat.

Heat 2 = Expected finish time is 25 minutes or over; less competitive runners should choose this heat.

Heat 3 = Elite heat. Runners in this heat are eligible to win cash prizes (purse of $1200). Qualifying time for this heat: men is 18:00 and for women is 20:00. First place male/female: $300, second place male/female: $200, third place male/female: $100. Participants in this heat race director approval only.

A portion of race proceeds will be donated to our Good Works Engine charity. Good Works Engine was formed in 2010 (formerly Mission: Feet First) and exists to aid the underprivileged. Through our charity we are able to provide proper fitting shoes to our local homeless, sheltered, tent-city communities as well as students in local low-income schools.

Online registration will close at 7:00AM on race day morning, June 6th.

Friday June 5th: Packet Packet Pick-Up and Late Registration @ Fleet Feet Winston-Salem 4PM-7PM

Saturday June 6th: Packet Pickup and Race Day Registration @ Ivey Redmon Park

AWARDS INFORMATION

Results will be based upon gun/clock time, noting that with a cross-country start, chip start times are not recorded.

HEATS 1 AND 2 will be combined for age group awards.

Top 3 Overall Winners - Male and Female

First Place Masters Winners - Male and Female

Top 3 Winners in each Age Group - Male and Female

Age Groups: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over

NOTE: Live results on race day on RunSignUp will not show division awards placement for Heat 2. We will be able to provide combined results from our timing system to present at the race. Combined results will be updated on RunSignUp after the race.