19th Annual Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot is Nov. 21

Downtown Statesboro is where to flock on Saturday, November 21 for the 19th Annual Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot which helps fund local education projects and awards for teachers and students. 

The Bulloch County Foundation for Public School Education (Foundation) encourages the community to lace up, gobble up, and come run, trot, or walk through Statesboro's historic downtown and residential districts to help fund the Foundation's education initiatives. This year your participation or donations can help fund a new memorial innovation grant for local public schools called the Susan Cassedy Cares Grant. Its namesake diligently served the Foundation and its Turkey Trot for 20 years. 

Register to participate or donate today. Whether you choose to sprint for a personal best, trot with friends, or casually push a stroller and enjoy an autumn day, this event has something for every fitness level. The course takes you past picturesque historic homes, community landmarks, the City of Statesboro Art Park, and the Statesboro Farmers Market's backdoor from the Willie McTell Trail, where you'll also see scenic sculptures. Nature enthusiasts can even turn their run into a game to spot the six distinct native tree species scattered along the route.

The community will gather at the heart of town on the Bulloch County Courthouse Square, along East Main Street. The starting line for the main 5K race is set right outside the historic Jaeckel Hotel (now Statesboro City Hall). 

• 8 a.m.: Race-day registration and packet pick
• 8:30 a.m.: Mascot Run at the top of East Main Street in front of Synovus Bank & Courthouse Square.
• 8:45 a.m.: Kid's Fun Run at same location
• 9:00 a.m.: Main 5K race starting line is just about 100 yards down East Main Street in front of the historic Jaeckel Hotel (now Statesboro City Hall)
• 11:00 a.m.: Awards ceremony on Courthouse Square

Register Online Now

Use the Run Sign Up link above or visit the Foundation's website to pre-register for the event. Late registration will occur on race day beginning at 8 a.m. Runsignup.com or visit bullochschools.org/foundation.

All pre-registered participants will receive a swag bag and complimentary Turkey Trot t-shirt. 

• Register by October 31 to guarantee your free race t-shirt size
• Price increases by $5 on November 1.
• Register by November 16 to pick up your swag bag at early pick up on Friday, November 20, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the boardroom of Bulloch County Schools' Central Office, located at 150 Williams Road in Statesboro.

Cost of Registration:

• Individuals: $30 per person
• Teams of Five or More: $25 per team member
• Children (12 & Under): $15 for the Fun Run
• Bulloch County Schools Employees: $25 for individuals or $20 per person for team of five or more

As you complete your registration online, make an even bigger impact and have a chance to win big! Before you check out, choose to be a Raffle Rafter and donate $10 (two chances) or $5 (one chance) to win our 50-50 Rafter Raffle. Half of the donations collected from the raffle will go directly to a winner drawn from the raffle participants. The winner will be drawn during the event's awards ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on the Courthouse Square. You do not have to be present to win.

Make A Donation

Donations can be made to the Foundation on the race website. Simply click on the Donate button at the top of the race website or use the Donate button above.

Select a suggested level or enter a custom amount. You may also select whether the donation is in honor or memory of someone. Donations are tax deductible.

For those interested in donating to the Susan Cassedy Cares Grant (Championing Academic Resources to Empower Schools), you may do so here and note that it is in her memory.

• Since 2006, more than $406,000 has been invested in over 320 innovation grants for classroom teachers to enhance student learning.
• Since 2013, the Foundation has been the sole underwriting sponsor for the Bulloch County Reach Georgia Scholarship Program for eligible eighth-grade students, making college possible for dozens of local scholars (most of whom are first-generation college students). The seed capital that the Foundation provides has enabled 67 Bulloch County Schools students to each receive $10,000 scholarships.
• The Foundation supports the Bulloch County Teacher of the Year program with cash awards for both district- and school-level teachers of the year.
• The Foundation serves as the official sponsor of the Bulloch County Star Student/Star Teacher program across local high schools.
• New this year, the Foundation has established the Susan Cassedy Cares Grant Fund for schools. Schools may apply annually for the $1,000 grant. Eligible projects should  enhance student achievement, social-emotional development, problem-solving, and innovative learning opportunities. Projects should promote collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, communication, curiosity, real-world problem solving, leadership, and responsibility. Grant applications will be reviewed and scored by a Foundation grant committee just as with its existing teacher innovation grants.