HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated July 14, 2026ITEM #:14
DATE:07-14-26
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:REQUESTS FROM FITNESS SPORTS AMES FOR TURKEY TROT ON
NOVEMBER 26, 2026
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Fitness Sports Ames has requested to host a Thanksgiving morning 5k, known as a "Turkey
Trot", on November 26, 2026. This is the third year of the event. An estimated 700 people will
enter the race. The event will begin and end in the downtown area. A portion of the route along
13th Street will utilize a shared-use path. Other portions of the route will require street
closures. In order to facilitate this event, organizers are requesting partial street closures from
7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at the following locations:
5th Street from Kellogg Avenue to Pearle Avenue
Pearle Avenue from 5th Street to Main Street
Main Street/Northwestern Avenue from Douglas Avenue to 13th Street
9th Street from Northwestern Avenue to Ridgewood Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue to
Hodge Avenue
Ridgewood Avenue from 9th Street to 13th Street
10th Street from Northwestern Avenue to Roosevelt Avenue
Roosevelt Avenue from 10th Street to 9th Street
Hodge Avenue from 9th Street to 6th Street
6th Street from Hodge Avenue to Northwestern Avenue
Douglas Avenue from Main Street to East 7th Street
East 7th Street from Main Street to Kellogg Avenue
Kellogg Avenue from East 7th Street to 5th Street
Metered parking spaces along the route will also be closed. Since Thanksgiving is a City
holiday, no parking meter revenue will be lost. Volunteers will be stationed at intersections
along the route to assist traffic. Furthermore, because several blocks of residences between
Ioway Creek and Ridgewood Avenue rely on Ridgewood Avenue to gain access, organizers
will ensure runners are primarily concentrated on the left side of the road while on Ridgewood
to ensure maximum visibility to motorists.
City staff will provide barricades and traffic cones to facilitate this event, blocking a
dedicated running lane while allowing vehicle traffic to continue using other lanes. A
letter of support has been obtained from Ames Main Street for the event.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the requests for the Turkey Trot on November 26, 2026, as outlined above.
2. Do not approve the requests for the Turkey Trot.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Turkey Trot offers an opportunity to attract the public to Downtown Ames for a
unique event. The applicant has provided all necessary documentation to support these
requ e s t s . Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council
approve Alternative 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ames Main St LOS - Fitness Sports Turkey Trot
Special Event Application
Race Route - Turkey Trot
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How many years?3
Region Ames Main Street (Downtown)
Upload your letter of support from AREA here.
Upload your letter of support from ISU here.
Upload your letter of support from Ames Main Street here.Ames Main St LOS Fitness Sports.pdf
Please explain:
Timeline Setup will begin at 7 AM. The 5k map is attached to this
application. It will begin at 9 AM on Thursday, November 26,
2026. The tot trot will be at 10 AM. The 5k course will be torn
down and roads will be open by 10 AM, with 5th street being
closed until 10:15 to allow for the tot trot. All will be torn down
and cleaned up bu 10:30 AM.
Description of Event Activities This event is a 5k run and a 400 meter tot trot. 5k will be run first,
starting at 9 AM, tot trot will be at 10 AM. There will be porta
potties placed behind Fitness Sports at 410 5th street, on private
property. While the roads are closed, a timing arch will be put up
and tables with free food and refreshments will be placed out.
Event Category Athletic/Recreation
Is the event open to the public?Yes
Anticipated Daily Attendance 700
Audience Profile Families, all ages.
Is your event being held in conjunction with another event?
(e.g. Farmers' Market, 4th of July etc.)
No
Please list.
Organization Status For-Profit
Are patron admission, entry, or participant fees required?Yes
Percentage of net proceeds going towards fundraising:10
Percentage of net proceeds going towards for-profit entity:90
Are vendor or other fees required?No
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Would you like to make a formal request to the City Council
for waiver of some fees associated with the event?
Waivers Requested
Estimated Value of Requested Waivers
Fee waivers are generally granted only in unique
circumstances or in exchange for specific benefits. What is
different about this event from most special events making
it uniquely deserving of fee waiver(s)?
Benefits Provided to the City in Exchange for Requested
Waivers
Formal Letter to the City Council Requesting Fee Waivers
Who will be responsible for security during the event?
Check all that apply.
Volunteers
Security Organization
Security Organization Contact Name
Security Organization Phone Number
Security Organization Email
Number of Volunteers 20
Number of Staff
Describe identification method of staffing levels (e.g. yellow
shirts for volunteers, red shirts for managers).
Communication will be made that I am the race director and shall
be contacted with any issues.
Provide details of the training for crowd management
personnel/staff/volunteers, including dates and times of
pre-event briefing and training sessions.
We will have a meeting with all volunteers the morning of the
event talking through scenarios and how to handle situations.
They will also be given a detailed handout of their assignment in
the weeks leading up to the event.
Provide details of how the number of attendees at the event
are to be monitored and controlled (e.g. ticketed event;
monitored entrances and exits).
Runsignup.com will be used to sell entries. Packet pickup will be
the day before, so everyone running the race will be required to
have a bib.
Will there be police on site during your event?No
Security & Communication
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