CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Thanksgiving Day will once again see Charlotte host the largest running event in North Carolina when the 36th annual CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot takes place at SouthPark Mall, where an anticipated sell-out of 11,000 runners and walkers will participate in the CPI Security 8K & 5K, and the Harris Teeter1 Mile & Tot Trot events.
CPI Security is back as the title sponsor and is excited to promote and collaborate with event organizers to highlight the 50th Anniversary of CMPD Explorers Holiday Toy Drive – the primary beneficiary of this year’s event. In addition to serving the children in need in Charlotte, the event will double its efforts to provide toys for children affected by hurricane Helene. Beyond the direct cash donation from race sponsorship proceeds, the event is asking participants to donate a toy or two in the hopes of making the 2024 Toy Drive the biggest ever – with the goal of providing truckloads of toys for children in Western North Carolina. Participants can drop off toys (with the focus on boys and girls under the age of 14) on event day or at any of the packet pick-up events leading up to Thanksgiving. Additional beneficiaries include Samaritan’s Feet, Project Outpour and Second Harvest, as well as multiple volunteer organizations who will receive proceeds in exchange for their time and energy.
“We’re excited to be with our neighbors on Thanksgiving Day to support great causes,” CEO and Founder of CPI Security Ken Gill said. “This year, in addition to supporting our Charlotte families, we are including the hard-hit communities of Western North Carolina, to spread a little cheer to those families in need. Thank you to our customers and our community for coming together, so we can help where it’s needed.”
CPI will be activating onsite Thanksgiving Day morning with a prize wheel as well as its “Big Red Chair” photo op.
In addition to CPI Security, the event features other marquee corporate partners including Novant Health, First Horizon Bank, Pridemore Compass Real Estate and Harris Teeter. Media partners Queen City News and K104.7 will provide live morning news coverage, talent, and entertainment while SouthPark Partners is also working with the event to help elevate the event-day experience. The Finish Festival will feature beverage and food samples provided by Harris Teeter, multiple holiday photo opportunities, a costume contest, and the Novant awards stage hosted by K104.7FM. Additionally, Suffolk Punch Brewery will be open race morning from 7:00 to 11:00AM serving a race morning menu as well as providing a post-race beer to race participants of age.
“Our event is all about family, tradition and giving back to our community,” states David Jessey, one of the Event Directors, “and we’re grateful to have CPI Security and a blue-chip roster of partners to elevate both the experience and the donation. This year we want to take giving to the next level and providing thousands of toys for children from Charlotte to Asheville.”
Registration is expected to sell out in November and will be open until it reaches 11,000 participants or November 27th – whichever comes first. Events start and finish at SouthPark Mall (4400 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211), beginning at 8:00AM with the Harris Teeter 1 Mile followed by the CPI Security 8K at 8:10AM and 5K at 9:10AM. In addition, the Harris Teeter Tot Trot for kids 7 and under is free, with heats running from 8:30 to 9:30AM. To register and for all up-to-date event information visit www.cltturkeytrot.com.
For more details contact:
CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot David Jessey – 704-953-8050
CPI Security Kristi O’Connor – 980-346-9064
