New Hope Christian School, located in Smithville, Missouri, is excited to announce their inaugural turkey trail trot 5k on November 27, 2025. This self-timed event will be a fundraiser for the school to support Christian education in Smithville. All proceeds from the race will go toward the New Hope Scholarship Fund which helps defray the cost of tuition for deserving families attending New Hope who demonstrate a financial need.
This first-ever turkey trot in Smithville will be held in the Smith's Fork recreation area with ample parking near the soccer and baseball fields as well as overflow parking at Grace Community Church, just a cross MO Hwy DD. All participants registered by November 21st will receive a t-shirt and finisher's medal. As mentioned, this inaugural event will be self-timed.
The course has something to offer all skill levels, with a 1.25ish family friendly fun run and a challenging back-half that will leave experienced trail runners exhilarated. All runners will begin on the former Julia Bargman Memorial Cross Country course and wind along the tree line where deer sightings are common. This section of the course also offers several 'Nature Knowledge' stations along the way.
Participants of the full 5k will continue on and run through the seasonal campground on an asphalt road and head across the spillway towards the gravel/dirt trails of the Lake Remote area. In this section you will encounter tree roots, rocks, and uneven terrain, so watch your footing. Also watch for bald eagles (although more common in December, sightings in November are possible as the bald eagles begin their winter migration) as you break through the trees to the beauty and serenity of Lake Remote. Catch your breath here though because you will soon encounter the course's biggest hill. What goes up must come down however and the technical descent is no joke! Rocks, roots, and uneven ground are plentiful, but it doesn't last long You will bottom out along the Little Platte river bottom and run along the grassy bank before rejoining the gravel path leading back to the spillway and the finish line.
Please consider helping to make this first ever New Hope Turkey Trot a success while supporting Christian education in Smithville. Our hope is that, with your help, this event can become a Northland tradition like no other! Register by Friday, November 21, 2025 to be guaranteed a t-shirt. Children 5 and under can participate for free. . . Runner packets and t-shirts (if registered by 11/21) may be picked up on Wednesday, November 26th between 4:00PM and 6:00PM at the Smithville United Methodist Church located at 505 North US-169 Hwy.
