Thornton Turkey Trot 2026

The Thornton Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning run and walk in Glenwood, Illinois. The race hub is located near 183rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, adjacent to Sweet Woods Forest Preserve. Established in 1968, it is the oldest turkey trot in Illinois. The primary event is a 5K community run, complemented by a 1-mile community walk and a 1-mile children's race for students in 8th grade and younger. The event is designed for local runners, walkers, school teams, and families, not exclusively for competitive racers. High school teams can compete as a unit if at least three athletes from the same school participate, and the event provides support for student athletes. Runners are also eligible for age-group awards, and all finishers receive medals. This Thanksgiving format links the race to an older American running tradition: the first turkey trot was a YMCA event in Buffalo where six runners completed five miles on unpaved roads.