Fifteenth Annual
Turkey DayThrowdown
Saturday, November 21, 2026 · CrossFit Excel
15 years. One record left to break.
Teams of three. Entry is one frozen turkey. Every bird goes to Second Harvest.
Excel members only. 9 AM to 1 PM at the gym. Registration is free.
Turkeys in 2018. That's the number to beat.
Since 2012
We've done this every November for fifteen years.
Three people, one barbell, and a frozen turkey to get in the door. That's the whole thing. The turkeys go to Second Harvest and they feed families right here in Manteca.
Fifteen years in, the competition is the easy part. The turkeys are what people remember. In 2018 we set out to collect 100 and walked out with 265, because people who couldn't make it that Saturday sent a bird anyway.
This year we're going back for that number.
How it works
Four things. That's it.
Get a team
Three people, at least one of them a woman. Pick your own team name, and the funnier the better.
Bring a turkey
One frozen turkey per person is the entry fee. That's the whole cost. There is no cash entry.
Pick a division
Rx or Scaled. Rx wants pull-ups on the team and a deadlift over 225 for men, 155 for women. Scaled just wants you ready to have fun.
Show up at 9
Three workouts, announced that morning so nobody can overthink them. We're done by 1.
The part that actually hits 265
Can't compete? Send a bird anyway.
Most of the turkeys we collect don't come from the people competing. They come from members who can't make it that Saturday and send one in. You do not have to compete, or even be there, to put a turkey on somebody's table.
$20 buys one turkey
Pick how many.
Every dollar goes to Second Harvest of the Greater Valley. Second Harvest picks up the birds at 11 AM on the 21st.
The day
What Saturday looks like.
- 8:30
Doors and check-in. Don't be late, heats start on time.
- 9:00
Athlete brief, then workout one.
- Morning
Three workouts, Rx and Scaled running together.
- 11:00
Second Harvest comes for the turkeys. Get yours here before then.
- 1:00
Awards. Top team in each division, plus best costume.
Between heats, your team judges the next heat in your lane. If you're in the last heat, someone from your team judges heat one. Costumes are optional and strongly encouraged.
Same morning
Not competing? There's yoga.
Grateful Flow runs the same morning. Same entry, one frozen turkey. Come flow, then stick around and cheer.
209-249-9929. Online signup opens once the session is posted.
Questions
Straight answers.
I don't have a team. Can I still do it?
Yes. Tell us and we'll put you with people. Half the teams every year get built that way.
What if I can't make it that Saturday?
Send a turkey anyway. $20 covers one bird and it counts toward the goal.
Do I have to be Rx?
No. Scaled is the bigger division most years and it's the one more people have fun in.
Can I bring more than one turkey?
Please do. The record didn't get set by people bringing exactly one.
Is it really free?
The entry is a turkey, not money. Nobody pays to compete.
Can my friend from another gym come?
This one's for Excel members. Bring them to a class instead, that one's open.
What should I wear?
Whatever you train in, or a costume. Best costume gets a prize.
265
That's the number.
Fifteen years in. Let's go get it.
Excel members only. Saturday, November 21, 9 AM to 1 PM.
CrossFit Excel · 1433 Moffat Blvd Ste 1, Manteca, CA 95336 · 209-249-9929
Turkey Day Throwdown 2025!
Saturday, November 22th 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Turkey Day Throwdown is an friendly in-house competition and has become an annual tradition at CrossFit Excel. The goal is to have fun while donating a bunch of turkeys to the local food bank! See below for details:
Teams of 3 (must include 1 female)
Rx and Scaled divisions
Open to all Excel members
Costumes optional, but highly encouraged!
Entry fee is 1 frozen turkey per individual - These will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank
Prizes for the top 3 teams in each division and best costume!
Let's get a bunch of teams and have some fun!
We encourage you to bring a frozen turkey the day of the event. However, if you would like to donate more or cannot make it that day, please use the form below. Every dollar donated will be used to purchase frozen turkeys and donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.