The Rescue Mission of Roanoke Drumstick Dash 2026

On Thanksgiving morning in Roanoke, Virginia, the Drumstick Dash sends thousands of people through downtown to raise money for the Rescue Mission of Roanoke. It is a 5K run and family walk, open through race morning, and local organizers describe it as the area’s most popular race. The event supports a mission that serves three meals a day, every day, and provides more than 200,000 meals a year to people in need. The Dash started as a fundraiser and awareness event for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Its field includes runners, walkers, families, and community groups, with participation expected to approach 8,000 people. The Thanksgiving setting matters here: race staff describe it as a morning when people come together to run, walk, and support neighbors before the holiday meal. The Rescue Mission also runs a Manna Food Pantry box program, giving sheltered families 50 to 70 pounds of food every 30 days.