Miles in Martinsville has two remaining running events for 2024, with the Turkey Two set to be run on Thanksgiving Day, and the Holiday Run Festival is set for Saturday, December 7.
The Turkey Two is a two-mile race and walk which will be run on a course which circles the Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex and follows the scenic Dick & Willie Trail along the Smith River.
The event is open to competitive runners, joggers and walkers. Competitive runners will receive an official race shirt and be eligible for plaque awards to be given for the top three overall male and female finishers. The top three male and females in age groups beginning with 9 and under will be receive a certificate, suitable for framing. There will be a division for non-competitive walkers who will not receive a race shirt or be eligible for age group or overall finish awards. All participants will receive a commemorative medal celebrating the event.
The Turkey Two race and walk will start promptly at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. Packet pick-up will be held on Wednesday, November 27 from noon-6 p.m. at the YMCA, and from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on race day at the sports complex. Following the race, runners and walkers will gather for awards presentations and holiday themed snacks.
Holiday Run Festival races will take place at the Martinsville Speedway. Founded in 1947 by the late H. Clay Earles, Martinsville is the only track which has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races every year since the division’s inception in 1949.
The event will benefit Martinsville Speedway’s annual Toy Drive. Runners and spectators can bring an unwrapped toy or donate $25 for the opportunity to drive your vehicle on the Speedway track that evening. Licensed drivers only. Toys and proceeds to be given to Grace Network for distribution to area underprivileged kids. A portion of each runner’s registration fee will be donated to the Toy Drive.
The Youth in Motion 5K will start at 9 a.m. This is the fall race for the local Youth in Motion program. This program is designed to inspire young girls and boys to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum and creatively integrating running into their lives. This race will include serious competitors of all ages and will include the participation of a significant number of youngsters along with their coaches and mentors.
Also starting at 9 a.m. is the 5K Toy Walk, which is open to those who just want to walk the course and enjoy the ambience of the Speedway venue. Walkers will not be eligible for awards or race shirts.
The Southside 10K will start at 10 a.m. This new race offers the opportunity for runners to challenge themselves over a longer distance. The 10K is a great steppingstone for those runners who are considering stepping up to a half marathon or full marathon.
For runners looking for a longer race the event will offer the 15K Double Challenge. Competitors in this race will race the 5K at 9 a.m. and then recover to run the 10K at 10 a.m. Runners in each race will be competing for female and male awards for top three overall finishers and top three finishers in each of five-year age groups.
Registered runners will receive official race shirts. The 5K competitors will get short sleeve tech fabric T-shirts. The 10K and 15 K Double racers will receive long sleeve versions of the official shirt.
All races start and finish at the checkered flag finish line located on the speedway’s front stretch. Runners will run 8/10s of a of mile on the track, infield and pit road and then exit to circle the roads around the Speedway complex. The racers will finish by re-entering the track and running back to the checkered flag finish line.
The Turkey Two and Holiday Run Festival races are open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.
Runners are encouraged to register online as early as possible. More details and online registration are available at http://www.milesinmartinsville.com.
