Thu, Nov 26, 2026

The Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot

Sparta, NJ

Registration openAnnual since at least 2012

5K1 Mile

Entry is $30 now and rises to $35 after Nov 24, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot

The course runs out and back, starting and finishing at a restaurant and brew pub in Sparta. It is USATF certified, which means the distance is measured, and the organizers note that gun time is what counts for awards, so faster runners are directed to line up near the front.

Packet pickup happens the evening before at Lake Mohawk Country Club, where there is also a pasta party for registered runners. Race-morning pickup is available as well, though check-in closes before the gun goes off. You can grab packets for other runners in your group.

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The Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot 2025 Results

Going by the 2025 results, this is a big field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

5K Results · 2025

2,121finishers

15:50winner

34:48median

1:20:07cutoff

Top 3: Kevin Matthews (15:50) · Sebastian Montalvo (15:51) · Zach Haase (16:13)

The Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot has been held every year since at least 2012. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 18, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K11/26/2026 08:45$40

1 Mile11/26/2026 08:15$30

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the The Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot

Will I finish last at the Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 34:48, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:20:07, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot a good first 5K?

With 2,121 finishers there are runners at every pace, so you are never out on your own. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot?

The 5K winner ran 15:50 while the median finisher took 34:48. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.

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Turkey Trots in New Jersey 5K Races in November 5K Races in New Jersey in November Fall 5K Races

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