Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago 5K|8K

Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago 5K|8K is held in Chicago, Illinois, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, and is put on by Life Time. Two distances are offered, an 8K (about 5 miles) and a 5K (3.1 miles); no start times or elevation figures are listed. The short formats and the single-morning schedule make it as much a family outing as a race.

The 8K is a distinctive distance, sitting between the 5K and the 10K: you run it at a pace close to your 10K effort while accepting a slightly faster finish. Late November in Chicago is cold, so dress warmly before the start and favor a moving warm-up over static stretching. For a runner at the end of the season, an event like this is a good way to maintain speed without disrupting recovery, provided you do not turn it into an all-out effort. If you are choosing between the two, take the 8K if you have kept regular mileage through the fall, and the 5K if you are newer to running or prefer a quick, sharp race before the holiday meal.