Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk

Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk takes place in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026. All three formats start together at 8:30 a.m.: a 10K run (6.2 miles), a 5K run, and a 5K walk. The Birdie Derby is a Thanksgiving tradition that supports Active Youth Wisconsin, with all profits going toward sports equipment and lessons for kids. Participants receive a bib, event apparel, and other goodies, and a virtual option is available if you cannot make it in person.

The 10K is the standout here for runners who want more than the standard holiday 5K. It is a good distance for a steady tempo effort or a first step up from 5K racing, and eight weeks of three to four runs a week, with a long run that reaches five or six miles, is sufficient preparation. The 5K run suits a hard, short effort or a first race, and the dedicated 5K walk means you can bring along family members who prefer to keep things easy.