2025 Turkey Trot 5k & Fun Run 2026

The Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run is a running series held around Thanksgiving, centered on the 5K distance common to turkey trots, with a shorter fun-run option for a less demanding morning. These races typically occur on or near Thanksgiving Day in the United States, taking their name from the turkey central to many Thanksgiving meals. The format is intentionally accessible, featuring some events with certified road-race distances and others as informal neighborhood runs ranging from about a mile to 5K. The courses differ by city, but a typical Turkey Trot is a road run uniting families, first-timers, club runners, charity teams, and costumed participants at the same starting line. Many events collect funds for charity, and turkey costumes are a cultural element rather than a mere jest. The tradition is established by American road-racing standards; Buffalo, New York, hosts the oldest continuously operating public footrace in the country, attracting approximately 14,000 runners annually. Turkey trots are now found in all 50 states, with larger fields covering multi-city series like the American Turkey Tradition, which holds events in cities such as New York City, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Louisville.