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About the trot

A Thanksgiving tradition built on love.

What started as a way to honor JeanPaul Judice has grown into an Acadiana Thanksgiving tradition: a one-mile run, walk, and waddle through Moncus Park that gathers the community and raises meals for neighbors in need.

A couple in Turkey Trot shirts smiling at the post-race gathering
A smiling couple in matching tie-dye shirts at the Turkey Trot
Portrait of JeanPaul Judice smiling outdoors

The man behind the mission

Meet JeanPaul

JeanPaul lived the road less traveled. He noticed the beauty others overlooked, and everyone who met him felt his compassion and kindness. He believed change begins with the people closest to us, and that unconditional love, shared freely, ripples outward from a place deep in the heart.

“He knew that every person mattered, and he loved them unconditionally.”

The trot carries that forward. A memorial grove, Hammock Grove, was dedicated in his honor at Moncus Park, and every mile run in his name spreads his message a little further.

Moments with JeanPaul

A smiling woman and a young man in a camo bandana posing outside a house
Three young runners on a homemade awards podium in a front yard
JeanPaul biting a gold medal with a big grin
JeanPaul running down a neighborhood street during the trot
A young man in a camo bandana smiling and holding up a small prize
JeanPaul and a friend relaxing in hammocks and kayaks under the trees
JPJ Memorial 1-Mile Turkey Trot poster: Moncus Park, Thanksgiving Day

GRATITUDE

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

COMMUNITY

GENEROSITY

GRATITUDE

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

COMMUNITY

GENEROSITY

Our history

The trot through the years.

From a small gathering of friends to an Acadiana Thanksgiving staple, the trot has grown every year, and so has its impact.

Kids lined up on a neighborhood street for the first Turkey Trot in 2008

2008

The first annual Turkey Trot

JeanPaul's cousins gather in Round Rock, Texas, for the very first family Turkey Trot.

Five teenage cousins posing together indoors, smiling and making hand signs

2010

The trot comes to Lafayette

The tradition moves home to Lafayette, where most of the family lives, and the Lafayette trot begins.

A smiling woman and a young man in a camo bandana holding up a wrapped turkey cookie prize

2014

JeanPaul's winning streak begins

JeanPaul crosses the finish line first and starts a streak the cousins still talk about.

Three young men standing side by side wearing medals after the trot

2015

The cousins sweep the podium

First, second and third, all in the family. Nobody else stood a chance.

Three runners wearing medals on a grassy lawn, one standing on a wooden box like a podium

2017

JeanPaul's last run

JeanPaul runs his final Turkey Trot alongside the family he loved.

A large group of trotters gathered across a neighborhood street on a sunny morning

2018

A run in honor of JP

The trot becomes a run in JeanPaul's memory, and his mission to help those in need becomes ours.

Dozens of runners in matching blue shirts posing for a group photo in a front yard

2021

One last lap before Moncus

Our final trot through the neighborhood before the race finds a bigger home.

Runners in green race shirts lining up at the start at Moncus Park

2022

First year at Moncus Park

The trot moves to Moncus Park, with room for every runner, walker and waddler.

Four young kids sitting together on a log, two in tie-dye, smiling for the camera

2023

Baby turkeys join the trot

A new generation hits the course, strollers and all.

A woman in a tie-dye shirt raising a red flag beside the start banner to begin the trot

2025

The tradition continues

Another Thanksgiving morning, another mile together, and a bigger crowd than ever.

Runners racing down a neighborhood street on a sunny morning

Run in his honor.

Join us Thanksgiving morning and help carry JeanPaul's mission forward.