DRS Timing Delivers on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is recognized as the largest running day of the year in the United States, bringing together thousands of races and over a million participants. For a race timing and management company, it is a significant opportunity to demonstrate operational preparedness and logistical expertise. This year, DRS Timing (www.runtoledo.com) successfully managed large-scale operations at two major holiday events, providing a smooth experience for nearly 20,000 runners.
Major Race Execution: The Detroit Turkey Trot
In Detroit, DRS Timing managed one of the largest single-day timing operations in the Midwest. Their team was responsible for accurately timing the city’s popular S3 Detroit Turkey Trot, which involved a sell-out registration total of 17,000 total participants of which two primary distances were timed and scored:
- 5K Race: 11,000 participants
- 10K Race: 4,000 participants
Handling an event of this size requires careful execution and strong attention to detail to ensure that all 15,000 individual finish times are recorded, processed, and delivered accurately and efficiently. Beginning with packet pickup at the Huntington Center, DRS utilized the Race Day Check In App to quickly process participants with a new volunteer record of 14 checkins within a 5 minute period shows the ease of use leveraging this technology.
The timing crew then went on to manage the start line reads, two split points on course, and the finish line to efficiently publish results online seconds after a participant finished.
Comprehensive Event Production: Dave’s Turkey Chase in Toledo
Meanwhile, in Toledo, DRS Timing provided a challenging, full-service race production for over 4,500 participants in a single 5K event. The Kangaroo crew’s involvement extended beyond timing, demonstrating their comprehensive event management capabilities:
- Timing: Accurately timing over 4,500 participants in the 5K.
- Logistics: Managing the build and placement of a large-scale 50-foot start line structure.
- Operations: Providing professional course management and overseeing the high-volume process of packet pickup.
This level of integrated service showcases DRS Timing’s ability to act as a complete event partner, managing complex physical and technological components simultaneously.
A Look at the Scale: DRS Timing’s National Context
When reviewing the national landscape of Thanksgiving Day runs, the scale of DRS Timing’s work is notable. A recent industry report on 2025 Turkey Trots published by Runsignup provided the following context:
- Scale of the Day: The industry saw over 1,330,726 participants registered for 1,056 races nationwide.
- Race Size: The average Turkey Trot hosted 1,260 participants. Only 4% of all Thanksgiving Day races reported on the platform had more than 5,000 participants.
DRS Timing’s successful management of the Detroit race (15,000 participants) and the Toledo event (over 4,500 participants) places both races among the largest events held on the day.
- The Detroit Turkey Trot, with 15,000 runners, significantly exceeded the 5,000+ participant threshold, positioning it among the country’s largest road races.
- The Toledo race is a major production, approaching the 5,000+ category and confirming that DRS Timing is capable of managing complex and large-scale events even in a competitive market like Ohio, which hosted over 50 Turkey Trots.
By timing 15,000 runners in one location while simultaneously handling the complete production for thousands more at another—including key logistical duties like building the 50′ start line—DRS Timing successfully met the high demands of the most challenging day of the year.
