St. Charles Turkey Trot 5K

St. Charles Turkey Trot 5K takes place in St. Charles, Illinois, on November 26, 2026, with an 8:00 a.m. start on Thanksgiving morning. This annual event features a single 5K (3.1 miles) and welcomes participants of all ages who want to start the holiday on an active note. Every finisher is rewarded with a donut at the line.

An 8:00 a.m. start in northern Illinois in late November means cold air and possibly frost, so plan a 10-minute warm-up jog and wear layers you can peel off. The 5K is a versatile target: a good hard effort for runners in the middle of winter base building, a first race for someone coming off a beginner program, or a brisk walk for the rest of the family. If you want a fast time, keep the first half mile under control and build through the second mile. Six to eight weeks of three runs per week, one of them slightly faster, will prepare you for the distance.