Nevada County Turkey Trot

Nevada County Turkey Trot is held in Grass Valley, California, on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Two formats are offered, both starting at 8:30 a.m.: a 5K Run and a 10K Run (6.2 miles). Set in the Sierra foothills community of Nevada County, the event gives runners a choice between a quick holiday effort and a longer one on the same morning.

Choosing between the two is mostly a question of what you have in your legs this fall. The 5K is a great fit if you run casually or want to race short and fast before the family gathers; the 10K rewards a steadier base and suits runners who like a sustained effort or are using the holiday as a checkpoint in a longer build. For the 10K, four to six weeks of three to four runs a week, including one longer run of 5 to 6 miles, sets you up well. Grass Valley sits in hilly terrain, so a few runs with some gradient in your preparation will make race morning feel more familiar.