TrailCircuit

Turkey Trots 2026. Find a Thanksgiving 5K or Walk Near You

By Deb HalvorsonPublished 10 min read
Illustrated collage of runners and walkers of all ages, including a child, a stroller and a golden retriever, moving along an autumn park path with a stylized turkey, a golden sun and a city skyline behind them.

The word race can make a person wonder whether they belong at the starting line. I understand that. I walk, and I have never been much for announcing myself to a crowd. A Turkey Trot can make room for both of us, though the details depend on the organizer.

RunSignup’s race search and Race Roster’s event search are two great places to start looking for a Turkey Trot near you. When you find an event, open its page. Check the distance, walking rules and registration deadline. Our small state directory gives you a few places to begin.

Thanksgiving is on November 26, 2026. Some events welcome runners, walkers, children and strollers. Others have limits worth knowing before you leave home. A welcoming picture on a race page is nice. A clear answer about the course closing time is better.

How to Find a Turkey Trot Near You

Search for your city plus “turkey trot” or “Thanksgiving 5K.” Search for events in the next town over as well. A community event may use a different name, such as a holiday run or a family walk. Look at the event date, not just the search result. Some web pages for past events remain on the internet for years after the race was held.

Event registration sites such as RunSignup and Race Roster are great places to start looking for Thanksgiving events. Once you find an event, be sure to open up the current event page and read all of the organizer’s rules for the event. If you have questions about something on the event page, don’t hesitate to contact the event organizer before signing up for the event.

Your local running club, parks department, community center or charity may list Turkey Trots on their calendar of events. Look for information that is current for 2026 and find out where you can register for the race. Some listings link to registration pages on the organizer’s site but other listings link to unfamiliar payment pages. Follow the link to the registration page on the organizer’s site.

In its October 29 report, RunSignup counted 1,090 Thanksgiving Day races on its platform with at least 3 registrations. It reported 512,441 registrations, events in all 50 states and Washington, DC, and 128 races with more than 1,000 participants. Those figures describe RunSignup’s data at that point, not every race in the country. They do not tell you whether a particular course welcomes walkers.

Turkey Trot Events by State

I have put together a small directory of Thanksgiving races for Colorado and Virginia. All of these races have a walking option announced in the event description. Check the registration page and the organizer’s current instructions. Times, openings and policies can change. A registration link does not promise that a place remains available.

For other states, start with the directories above and your local parks department or running club. Look up the event on the web for 2026, and find out what the exact distance is for the event, and what time it starts. Ask what time the course closes for the walkers.

The directory below is short. Check each event’s current rules to decide whether the morning will work for you.

Can You Walk a Turkey Trot?

Yes, many Turkey Trots welcome walkers. Some offer a separate 5K walk, a shorter family event, or a run and walk on the same course. Check the event description for distance of race you are interested in.

Find out if there is a time limit to complete the course and any intermediate cutoffs. Ask what happens if you do not reach a cutoff. The organizer can explain whether there is a shorter route, a ride back or an instruction to use the sidewalk.

When registering for a Turkey Trot, find out where walkers will start in relation to runners. Some races ask slower participants to use a later wave or line up toward the back.

Kids can participate in many of these Turkey Trots. Read the age requirements and how to register for kids on the event page for each race. A short family run/walk may be more appropriate for kids than a 5K run. Find out if there are any hills on the course and what surface the course is made of. It can be hard to walk a mile with tired kids, so find out where the bathrooms are located along the course.

Stroller and dog rules are separate questions. An event can welcome one and restrict the other. Check whether strollers need their own registration or must start at the back. Ask about leash rules, crowding and whether the course is suitable for your dog.

What to Expect at Your First Turkey Trot

After registering, look for a confirmation email. It should help you find your event, start time and any instructions for picking up a packet. Keep this email somewhere you can find it later. Also, check the race website as the event gets closer for any last minute details or changes.

A packet often contains a bib, the number worn on your clothing. A timed race may include a timing device attached to the bib. The organizer will explain how to put on your bib number and when and where you can pick up your packet. Some events have different pickup times and locations for different distances, so be sure to check the rules for the event you are signing up for.

Plan your arrival around the organizer’s schedule. Leave time for parking, packet pickup, a bathroom stop and finding the right start area. Check the event’s parking map and look for any public transit notices for the day of the event. If you are meeting someone, pick a location to meet up after the event.

The temperature on Thanksgiving can vary greatly from state to state. Make sure you check the forecast for the day of the event and read the organizer’s weather policy. Bring what you need for the trip home. Find out if the event will be providing bag storage and what items can be stored in the bags.

On the course, follow the signs and the instructions of the volunteers. If you need to stop, do so safely off to the side of the course. At the finish of the course, follow the route through the finish area so that others behind you can also finish.

You do not need a speech ready for the people next to you. A nod is enough. I find that useful information at a gathering of any size.

How to Prepare for a Thanksgiving 5K

A 5K is about 3.1 miles. Walking that distance is different from training to run it faster. First, start with the walks you already do. Find out the distance, route, surface, hills and course closing time of the event you are interested in. Compare the event’s requirements with your current walks and find an event that is within your current abilities. If you have any health concerns or are unsure of how you will be able to handle the change in activity, consult with your doctor first.

A simple list of things to prepare for before registering for the race and on the day of the event.

  • Check the distance, course, surface, hills and course closing time of the event.
  • Compare the event’s requirements with the walks you already do. Look for an event of shorter distance if necessary.
  • Be sure to read the registration, cancellation and refund policies for the event you choose. Also check the full cost of registration before you sign up.
  • Check the start time, packet pickup, parking and bathroom information.
  • Choose comfortable shoes and clothes you have used before. Check the weather again near the event.
  • Make a plan for children, strollers, dogs or anyone meeting you afterward. Confirm the event’s rules for each.
  • Save the organizer’s contact information and ask any remaining questions.

If your goal is to have a faster running performance, you will prepare for the event differently than for an ordinary walk. You can find out more about preparing for a faster running performance by contacting a local running club or a qualified running coach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Turkey Trots always held on Thanksgiving Day?

Not all Turkey Trots are held on Thanksgiving Day. Some are held on days other than Thanksgiving. Be sure to check the current event page for the date of the event.

Are they timed?

This depends on the event. Some will be timed and some will not. An event with several distances can time one and leave another untimed. Read the description of the event for more information about your particular entry. Find out how the event will record the results and whether there will be a walking division.

Can beginners participate?

Many events welcome beginners. Look at the distance of the event and the time limits for the course. If you have any questions that are not answered on the event listing, ask the organizer of the event. You may be able to find a shorter event or even another race that would better suit your needs for the day.

Are children welcome?

Some events have children’s or family races. Age requirements, registration fees, adult supervision and stroller policies can vary greatly from race to race. Be sure to find out about each child’s participation for each distance offered.

Can you register on race day?

Some organizers do allow race day registration. Others close earlier or fill available places. Check the current event page for more information on the Loveland event listed in the directory below for online race day registration up until the start of the race.

What happens if it rains?

The answer to this question depends on the organizer of the event. Some events proceed in rain or snow, and dangerous weather can bring changes. Be sure to read the event’s weather, cancellation, and refund policies prior to the event.

How long does a 5K walk usually take?

The time it takes to complete a 5K walk will vary. For example, a person walking at a pace of 3 miles per hour will complete a 5K walk (approximately 3.1 miles) in about 62 minutes without any stops. Factors such as the course, other participants, and breaks will affect your time. Use your current comfortable walking pace to estimate your time for the course and compare it to the course’s limit. Be sure to ask the organizer about any cutoffs along the way.

Choose one event that sounds like it would work for you and read the rules for that event. Ask any questions that you have about that event and then decide if it is right for you. A quiet start is a start all the same.

Event directory

Organizer information checked November 1, 2026. Times are local. Registration availability and event details can change. Contact the organizer about an unlisted deadline or walking cutoff.

State and city Event and date Distances and start times Walking and registration
Loveland, Colorado 25th Annual Loveland Turkey Trot 5K, November 26 5K at 8:30 a.m. Organizer welcomes walking. Register. Organizer lists online race day registration until the 8:30 a.m. start. Confirm the current cutoff and availability.
Denver, Colorado Mile High United Way Turkey Trot, November 26 4-mile race and walk waves at 9, 9:30 and 10 a.m. Family 1-mile run and walk at 10:15 a.m. The 4-mile course is described as a walk or race for the event. The family event is a walk or run. Register. Onsite registration on race morning is described. A final deadline is not stated on the event page.
Richmond, Virginia The Big Turkey Trot, November 26 5K at 8:30 a.m. and 1-mile Gobble Wobble at 9:30 a.m. A crawling only Baby Bobble starts at 9:20 a.m. Organizer explicitly welcomes walking in the 1-mile event. Ask about the 5K walking cutoff. Register. A registration deadline is not stated on the event information page.

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