Best Thanksgiving Turkey Trots and Races

Check our list of the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Trots and Races:

And the award for Biggest Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Fun Run Race goes to… Run to Feed the Hungry – Sacramento, CA

After 25+ years supporting the Sacramento Food Bank, this race can now claim their title as biggest Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. This 5k and 10k run is attended by nearly 30,000 people each year.

While you’re running through beautiful Sacramento, you’ll be cheered on by residents and volunteers alike. This race also offers team registrations for their Turkey Trot so you can gather your closest pals for maximum fun.

Full confession - I have ran this race for the last 8 years and it continues to grow. It is a family tradition with my family that we participate!

And the award for Most Attended Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot – Dallas, TX

With over 50 years on the books, this race holds two records from 2011; one as most attended with 36,820 participants and a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed like turkeys.

It is still going strong, and with a 5k run/walk, 8-mile run, and 1k Junior Trot, this race course offers plenty of activities for everyone. Even non-runners can enjoy the live music, bounce houses, and kids’ activities.

Plus, this “Way to Begin Thanksgiving Day” supports the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

And the award for Best Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race Costume Contest goes to…Dana Point Turkey Trot – Dana Point, CA

Celebrating over 40 years of Turkey Trot fun, this Dana Point Race is an annual tradition in Orange County, California. With beautiful scenery, a costume contest, and two days of Expo, this Turkey Race should be on the top of your Thanksgiving Trot list.

To put the “thanks” in Thanksgiving, this event has raised over half a million dollars for local nonprofits since it started. You can choose between a 5k, 10k, and Gobble Wobble kids run.

And the award for Biggest Fundraiser Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot – San Jose, CA

In just 15 years, this race has raised over $7.8 million for local charitable programs. They feature an array of interesting competitions, along with traditional age-based race categories.

No matter what your race style – kids fun run, 5k, 10k – they’ve got you covered. They have an expo, race day festival and kids’ fun zone that are sure to get the whole family out for a Thanksgiving Race.

And the awards for Most Pet Conscious Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to…Fit First Turkey Trot – Bay St. Louis, MS

Sometimes we want to support our furry friends, even if we can’t bring them along. This is the race for you if you love animals.

Benefitting the Friends of the Animal Shelter, this event encourages participants to bring pet food, treats, or toys to complement their race entry.

As a bonus, your run will take you through some of the most historic parts of Old Town Bay Saint Louis.

And the award for most “Thoughtful” Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Pensacola Beach Trot for Thought – Pensacola Beach, FL

Shout out to dog lovers, because this race welcomes your four-legged friends to join in the fun!

Benefiting the Preston Robert Tisch Tumor Center at Duke University, this scenic 5k Thanksgiving race donates proceeds to benefit brain cancer research.

With about 1,000 runners each year, you’ll have time on this Thanksgiving Trot to soak in the beautiful beachside scenery as you jaunt across the shorelines of the Gulf of Mexico.

And the award for Best Trail Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Feast and Feathers Thanksgiving Trail Run – Omaha, NE

If trail running is your slice of pie, then you won’t want to miss this race. Featuring 5k, 10k and Half Marathon distances, this race swoops around Cunningham Lake Park, complete with beautiful trail vistas.

Runners are encouraged to pay for parking in the form of canned foods, and proceeds from the race support Food Bank for the Heartland.

Is there any way to feel better burning calories on a holiday morning?

And the award for Most Unique Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race Swag goes to… Hot to Trot Fun Run, 5k, and 10k – Knoxville, TN

Although this Thanksgiving Race is competitive, they didn’t forget about fun and fundraising.

Benefiting A Hand Up For Women and Shepherd of Hope Food Bank, this Turkey Trot features handmade pottery by a local artist as prizes for overall finishers.

We’re pretty certain this handmade pottery would bring a unique twist to your Thanksgiving table décor, so bring your running shoes and get ready to win!

And the award for Best Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race for a PR goes to… Naperville Turkey Trot – Naperville, IL

Flat is a word that most runners can get excited about. If you’re looking for a PR for your Thanksgiving Day Race, you won’t want to miss this flat course.

With a free pancake breakfast after the race, you’ll make sure you’re making the most of your Thanksgiving Day calories.

Even better, this race supports the local Lions Club, a non-profit for the benefit of people with vision and hearing impairments.

And the award for Best Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race parade goes to… Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot – Detroit, MI

Imagine running from oversized cartoon characters and larger-than-life floats and dramatically shaped balloon creatures. No, this isn’t a scene out of the latest blockbuster thriller movie.

It is just the entrance ritual for the Detroit, MI Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over 20,000 people don their running shoes to complete a 10k, 5k, or mile run.

They also offer the “Dumbstruck Double” or “Cranberry Combo” for those who want to do a 10k/5k combo or 5k/1-mile combo.

And when you’re done with your Thanksgiving Run, kick back and watch the nation’s second most popular Thanksgiving Day Parade!

And the award for Longest Running Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to…Annual YMCA Buffalo Turkey Trot – Buffalo, NY

With a cap of 14,000 entrants, this Turkey Race is the oldest consecutively run footrace in the World!

The unique 8k distance attracts runners from all over the world to support the YMCA Buffalo Niagara. This race just happens to land on Thanksgiving…for over 120 years!

No matter what your Thanksgiving Race motivation is, it would be pretty cool to say you took part in such a long-standing race tradition.

And the award for the “dam” Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Las Vegas Turkey Trot: Six Tunnels to Hoover Dam – Boulder City, NV

This packed-dirt trail run is historic and scenic, taking you along Lake Mead National Recreation Area all the way to the Hoover Dam overlook.

History class could have been a lot more captivating if it included as many National Park features as this Turkey Day Race.

Although this run packs some serious elevation challenges, you’ll barely notice with the spectacular views to experience. This is one dam race you won’t want to forget a camera.

And the award for least expensive Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Louisville Turkey Trot – Louisville, CO

By this time of year, and with the holidays around the corner, your race budget may be a little tight. Don’t worry! The Louisville Turkey Trot is absolutely free to anyone who donates non-perishable food or winter clothing.

You still have to register, although you will not receive timing chips or race bibs. As if running for charity wasn’t great enough, you can visit the free beer garden or hot cocoa station after the race!

And the award for most states covered in a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day 10k Race – Cincinnati, OH

This frosty 10k Race takes you from Bengal’s Stadium into Kentucky and back to Ohio. It is one of the oldest races in the US of A, and nearly 18,000 runners come out each year.

Supporting 12 charities and dishing out a ton of cool (well…it’s actually warm, since the weather is so cold!) running swag, this is a great way to kickoff your Thanksgiving Day festivities.

And the award for most unique judging system in a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Honolulu Marathon Clinic Turkey Trot – Honolulu, HI

As runners, we are used to seeing the fastest folks go home with the prizes. Not so for this 10-mile run through Kapiolani Park in Hawaii.

Instead, runners get to predict their running times before the race starts, and those who finish closest to their pre-race predictions are awarded prizes.

Of course, we don’t need to mention the amazing views you’ll see while you run through Hawaii since you’d expect nothing less.

And the award for most historic Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Running of the Pilgrims 5k – Plymouth, MA

Although Thanksgiving celebrations have been the subject of controversy in recent years, it is true that Pilgrims first landed near Plymouth Rock, MA.

Held at the Pilgrim Memorial State Park, you will cruise by several historic sites amidst beautiful scenery, forging a deeper connection to your Thanksgiving roots.

And the award for most musical Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Fast Before the Feast – White Bear Lake, MN

Boasting a serious lineup of raffles and door prizes for those who donate pantry goods to the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf and Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf, this race offers 10k, 5k, and a fun run option.

This is the only race we’ve seen that features caroling from local theatre and choir groups along the race route. Talk about running into the holiday spirit!

And the award for most sparkly Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Run for the Diamonds – Berwick, PA

The long sleeve performance shirt may not be very sparkly, but diamond rings and diamond pendants will be handed out to top race performers at this Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.

With only 2,000 runners on average, we’d say you’ve got a pretty good shot at making this Thanksgiving a sparkly one. Worst case? You finish the race with your worst time ever and indulge in the free pizza they provide.

Seems like you can’t really go wrong by giving this Thanksgiving race a try.

And the award for best Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race for sports fans goes to… Arlington Turkey Trot – Arlington, TX

Whether you’re a Rangers Fan, a Cowboys fan, or just a sports fan in general, who could pass up the chance to run past both of these iconic sporting venues in one morning?

Burning calories in a 5k Thanksgiving Run is even more fun when you know you’re supporting a good cause, like the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County.

Besides, who knows which of your favorite athletes you might run into when you’re running so close to their sports venues?

And the award for most scholarly Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race goes to… Bonfield Express 5k – Downers Grove, IL

Hosted in memory of a local legend in the academic community, this 5k race has helped raise over $530,000 in scholarships for high school seniors in the local area.

This Thanksgiving Race is run primarily through wooded residential areas.

Conclusion: Best Thanksgiving Turkey Trots and Races

Ready to run a Turkey Trot?

Here are our favorite tips for Thanksgiving Day races.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!