Boone FLEXgivin' 5K

Boone FLEXgivin' 5K is held in Boone, Iowa, on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2026. The event consists of a single 5K (3.1 miles) that starts at 8:00 a.m. The playful name says it all: a holiday run designed to get you moving before the Thanksgiving table, with a format short enough for first-timers and quick enough for those who want to run hard.

An early 8:00 a.m. start means a compact morning. Plan to arrive with time for a ten-minute jog and a few strides, especially if you intend to race it. If you are a regular runner, a 5K on Thanksgiving is a nice way to close out the fall season with a hard effort before easing into winter mileage. If you are newer, the distance is very achievable with four to six weeks of run-walk training, three days a week, and there is no shame in walking a portion of the course. Layer up so you can shed clothing once you are moving.