FAQs

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CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot - FAQs

The CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot seeks to be a participant-friendly community event for the entire family. To create a safe environment, we have created guidelines. With over 12,000 participants we need to have rules, and these are ours - we appreciate your understanding.

We have answers to a lot of your frequently asked questions listed here but after you’ve read through them all, if you still have a question, don’t hesitate to email us at cltturkeytrot@s2fsupport.freshdesk.com.

We aim to make your Turkey Trot experience a memorable and positive one with quick customer service and allowing participants to manage all aspects of their registration online. For help making changes in your RunSignUp account, CLICK HERE for their tutorials.

Refund Policy

We do not offer a refund on registration. However, you can transfer your registration to a friend or family member.

Bib Exchange/Transfer

You can transfer your bib to another participant prior to the event. You must log into your RunSignUp account and initiate this bib exchange by placing their name and email in. The recipient will receive an email to accept the bib and sign our online waiver. Need Help? CLICK HERE and look for “Transfer to Another Runner” for a tutorial on how to edit this.

Registration (Event) Transfer

If you want to change from one distance to another distance, we allow you to do this yourself 72 hours prior to our event. This cutoff to switch is typically the final week leading up to a race and based upon availability in that event. You will manage this through your RunSignUp account. Need Help? CLICK HERE for a tutorial on how to edit this.

Insurance Options Offered

During registration, there is an option for you to purchase insurance on your registration fee. This includes several items such as injuries, airline issues, car trouble, jury duty, military duty, pregnancy, hurricanes/weather and so much more. CLICK HERE to see the plan and details – It’s a very affordable option! Moreover, you can find out full details and contact them directly by CLICKING HERE. This is a 3rd party insurance company, and we do not control coverage. If you have any questions at all concerning this insurance, please contact them directly via the link above. You may also wish to explore your own 3rd party insurance covering registration fees.

Are strollers allowed?

Yes, however, we require that you start near the back of your specific event corral to avoid tripping or congestion with all the runners. This is very important for us to create the safest environment possible for ALL participants. Babies in strollers do not need to be registered. You will still be eligible for age group awards with your chip time that is tracked from the time you cross the start line to the time you finish.

Are dogs allowed?

We love dogs, however, our insurance policy does not allow dogs. If you have a 4-legged running companion for medical reasons, you can file a request through the USATF ADA Committee (which takes 4-6 weeks) by CLICKING HERE and if they approve, they will provide you with documentation that you will then need to provide to us.

Race Bibs

Race bibs must be worn on the front of your body and always be visible for EVERYONE on course. If anyone is on the course without a bib you will be asked to leave the course. If you are running with a companion that does not have a bib you will both be asked to leave the course. No companion bicycles, scooters, golf carts or unregistered runners/walkers allowed. Why? This is strictly prohibited by USATF sanctions and our insurance. It puts our event at a large risk! Spectators are welcome at any point on course.

Weather Contingency Plan

In the event of inclement weather prior to 8:00AM, the start time of the first event may be delayed by up to 30 minutes. If a delay of more than 30 minutes is necessary and the weather conditions continue to be unsafe for the run, the event will be cancelled for all participants. Participants will be notified of event changes via the race website, email and social media.

Are your courses certified?

No, however courses were measured using the same techniques as USATF certification, a proven method that incorporates the calibration of measuring devices against a steel tape.

What pace am I required to keep?

Participants in the 8K are required to maintain at least a 13:45 per mile pace (1 hour 8 minutes). Anyone slower than that pace will be asked to move to the sidewalk by CMPD. Participants in the 5K walking slower than a 20:00 per mile pace may be asked to move to the sidewalk by CMPD.

Is there participant photography?

No, there will be no individual event photography available for downloading and/or purchase.

Age Restrictions

We have no age restrictions for the 8K and 5K, however, we do require parental consent. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver. For the Tot Trot, we ask that participants be 8 years old or younger at time of event.

Age Discounts

We do offer a $5 discount on our regular 8K, 5K and 1 Mile registration fees for participants under the age of 18 at the time of registration. Discounts will be automatically applied during the checkout process.

Changing a Shirt Size

A link to shirt sizing is HERE. You may adjust your shirt size by logging into your RunSignUp account no less than four (4) days prior to the race. If you miss the cutoff for this, you will receive the shirt size at packet pick-up that you initially registered. We cannot switch sizes onsite at packet pick-ups. However, we will offer a “Shirt Exchange” table on race day after 9:30AM if we have an abundance of sizes. If we don’t have your size, you may choose not to wear the shirt and trade it in after the race for another size based on availability.

Packet Pick-Ups

In addition to race week pick-up in SouthPark (Tuesday & Wednesday, Noon to 7PM), we offer seven (7) additional packet pick-up events covering Matthews, Pineville, Huntersville and Fort Mill to make it as easy as possible for you to get your shirt and bib well in advance of race day. We highly encourage you to take advantage of this schedule and pick up your packet before race week. CLICK HERE to see the packet pick-up schedule to find one that works for you. You can pick up for friends and family members; however, we request that you be considerate of fellow participants with these requests.

Pre-Event Mail-Out Option

We do offer an option for your packet (t-shirt and bib) to be mailed to you in advance of the event. The option is an additional $15 and can be added during the registration process. Deadline to purchase the mail-out option is EOD (end of day) Friday, October 31st.

Race Day Will-Call Packet Pick-Up Option

You can purchase the right to pick up your packet on race morning beginning at 7AM. This option is an additional $15 and can be added during the registration process. Deadline for Race Day Pick-Up option is EOD (end of day) Sunday, November 23rd. PLEASE NOTE: Only those participants that have paid for this option will be able to pick up on race morning.

Event Parking

Event day parking is available (and free) at all deck and surface lots at SouthPark Mall, plus numerous surrounding lots. There are 7,000+ parking spots at the mall, so plenty of space! The only lots off limits are those closest to DICK'S Sporting Goods. We recommend you enter the mall to park via Fairview Rd. or Sharon Rd. Please see our parking map for more information.

Awards

Overall Female, Male and Non-Binary awards will be given out for 1st through 3rd place in the 8K and 5K events. In the 8K we will also give out Masters top 3 overall. Winners will receive one of our iconic ceramic Turkey Trophies and they will be announced onsite on race morning.

In addition, we're excited to offer Female, Male and Non-Binary 1st – 3rd place awards in the following age categories for both the 8K and 5K events: 7 & under, 8-11, 12-14, 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 & up. Award winners will receive a commemorative Charlotte Turkey Trot 2026 Richardson 112 Trucker Hat. Age group awards can be picked up at the Start 2 Finish Solutions Tent at the Finish Festival beginning at 9:20AM for the 8K and 10:20AM for the 5K.

Individual age group winners will NOT be announced. Note that age group awards are based on “chip time”, so awards are not final until the pick-up times listed above. To see if you have won an award, scan the QR code on the back of your bib post-race. Award winners are denoted with a trophy icon and "Award Winner" shown below your race statistics.

CMPD Explorers Toy Drive

Once again, we are partnering with CMPD, CPI Security and Queen City News to bring holiday cheer to children via the Toy Drive. In addition to the event providing significant proceeds to this effort, we are asking participants to get involved. We are asking folks to bring a new unwrapped toy on event day to help children in the Charlotte area. Or you can add a donation as part of the registration process. The emphasis is on toys for boys and girls age 14 and under but the Drive also serves those up to 16 years old when visiting families. Some ideas for toys and gifts are below. We will have bins onsite at the CPI Finish Line Festival on race morning to accept your generous donations.

Ideas: Bicycles and helmets, sports balls, Lego, make-up, jewelry, socks, board games, perfume, stuffed animals, fun pillows,

Toys for girls and boys ages 14 and under but we also serve those up to 16 years old when visiting families, hats, gloves, clothing, books, scooters, puzzles, coloring books and supplies. Also, baby items including diapers. PLEASE – No violent toys or toy guns.

How do I enter the Parton Law Costume Contest?

A fun part of every Turkey Trot are the costumes! Details on how to enter will be coming soon. We will be awarding gift card prizes for the following costume contest categories:

Best individual (1 adult winner & 1 child winner)
Best couple/group (1 winner)
Best family (1 winner)
Best Thanksgiving-themed