Some road closures are planned for Thanksgiving as locals lace up sneakers — and, in some cases, don costumes — for a yearly morning race.
A couple thousand people are expected to participate in the Arlington Turkey Trot on Thursday, leading to road closures in Lyon Park and Ashton Heights. The yearly 5K race will kick off at 8 a.m. near the Lyon Park Community Center at 414 N. Fillmore Street.
Participants should pick up their race packets and T-shirts from noon to 8 p.m. today (Tuesday), noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, or 6:30-8 a.m. on Thursday morning at 3020 N. Pershing Drive.
Christ Church of Arlington founded the race in 2006 with a goal of helping local residents in need, and about 300 people participated. Now in its 19th year, the sold-out trot expects a total of 4,000 runners, joggers and walkers.
Proceeds from this year’s race will be distributed across 18 local nonprofits, including Arlington Thrive, Restoration Immigration Legal Aid, Path Forward and New Hope Housing.
A list of planned road closures from ACPD is below.
The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures from approximately 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. to accommodate the race:
- N. Pershing Drive from N. Edgewood Street to N. Piedmont Street
- N. Oxford Street from N. Pershing Drive to 4th Street N.
- N. Oakland Street from N. Pershing Drive to Columbia Gardens Cemetery Side Entrance
- 4th Street N. from N. Oxford Street to N. Nelson Street
- N. Irving Street from 9th Street N. to 2nd Road N.
- 2nd Road N. from N. Irving Street to Columbia Gardens Cemetery Side Entrance
- 9th Street N. from N. Irving Street to N. Highland Street
- N. Highland Street from 9th Street N. to 1st Street N.
- 1st Street N. from N. Highland Street to N. Fillmore Street
- N. Fillmore Street from 1st Street N. to N. Pershing Drive
The public should expect to see an increased police presence in the area, and motorists are urged to follow law enforcement direction, be mindful of closures, and remain alert for increased pedestrian traffic. Additionally, other closures not mentioned above may be implemented at police discretion in the interest of public safety.
When safe to do so, residents of the affected areas will be escorted through the road closures as necessary to minimize the impact on the community. All roadways are expected to reopen by 11:00 a.m. Community members are asked to park vehicles in driveways to reduce the congestion on the course and to allow for normal traffic conditions to return as quickly as possible.
Street parking around the event will be restricted and motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed, please use the online portal to find out the status of your vehicle and where it is located. The online portal is updated in real time. If you cannot locate your vehicle or need additional support using the online portal, call the County non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.
