Free Thanksgiving Day 5K & Fun Run Events Near You
Seven $0 Turkey Trots on Nov 26 let you run, walk, donate food or funds, and join family distances.
Yes, seven free Thanksgiving-morning runs are confirmed for Nov 26, 2026, in the listed cities and counties. They include 5K, 3-mile, 2-mile and 1-mile options for runners and walkers. A Turkey Trot is a community run or walk held on Thanksgiving morning.
Free here means $0 registration, often untimed, with optional donations supporting local causes.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
Where are the verified free runs?
Columbus Park Foundation holds its Turkey Trot 5K on Thursday, Nov 26, 2026, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. It meets at Hamilton Community Center in Columbus, IN. The event is free and untimed.
Red Clover Rovers stages the Brattleboro Turkey Trot on Nov 26, 2026, at Brattleboro Country Club, VT. According to Red Clover Rovers, the schedule lists $0 1-mile at 9 a.m. and $0 3-mile at 9:15 a.m.
see the race listing. The group describes it as a volunteer-run, donation-funded community gift since 1975. Cedar Key holds its 3rd Annual Turkey Trot 5K at 8 a.m.
on Nov 26, 2026. It starts at Prickly Palm on 2nd Street, FL, with completely free registration. Bloomsday Road Runners Club holds its fun run and walk at 9 a.m.
on Nov 26, 2026, at Manito Park Duck Pond in Spokane, WA, with no entry fee.
What happens on race morning?
According to San Miguel County, its 13th-annual Turkey Trot 5K run and walk meets on Thanksgiving morning with raffle prizes, awards and free swag for all participants read the county announcement. Costumes are encouraged. Funding comes from county property-tax dollars.
Ellicott City hosts its 5th Annual Free Turkey Trot Fun Run Festival from 9 to 10 a.m. on Nov 26, 2026, at Dunloggin Middle School. It offers 1-mile, 2-mile and 3.1-mile options for families, runners and walkers.
Harbor Point holds its 15th Annual 5K Turkey Trot Fun Run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Nov 26 in Stamford, CT, as a free, complimentary untimed 5K for runners, walkers, families and friends.
Where do optional donations go?
Columbus Park Foundation directs optional donations to Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarships for Bartholomew County children. Cedar Key directs 100% of optional donations to the Cedar Key Summer Youth Program. Both keep registration at $0 while inviting extra support.
According to the Bloomsday Road Runners Club, all donations from the Spokane event go to 2nd Harvest Food Bank view the race page. Red Clover Rovers operates its Vermont event as a donation-funded gift. Donation amounts and methods vary by event page.
How do you secure a free entry?
Free does not mean drop-in. San Miguel County points to online registration before the stated deadline, a signed liability waiver and Thanksgiving-morning check-in. Bring any requested food item or optional donation.
- Register online for the specific city you will attend.
- Sign the liability waiver during registration or at check-in.
- Arrive early for the Thanksgiving-morning check-in window.
- Bring the requested food item or optional donation if listed.