McHenry Kiwanis Club's Turkey Trot 5K Presented By Symphony Financial

McHenry Kiwanis Club's Turkey Trot 5K Presented By Symphony Financial is held in McHenry, Illinois, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026. The race is a 5K (3.1 miles) with an 8:00 a.m. start. Beyond the morning run, the event supports local organizations, including Main Stay Therapeutic Farm, the Alexander Leigh Center for Autism, and the Youth and Family Center of McHenry County. Registration includes a t-shirt.

Expect a road 5K that works for just about anyone: families walking together, kids running their first timed race, and regulars looking to set a personal best before the holiday meal. Thanksgiving morning starts can be cold in northern Illinois, so plan to arrive early, warm up with an easy jog, and keep a layer on until you are close to the start. Four to six weeks of steady running, with one slightly faster session each week, is plenty of preparation for a comfortable 5K.