Topeka Turkey Trot

Topeka Turkey Trot is held in Topeka, Kansas, on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Three formats are staggered across the morning: the Turkey Trot 10K (6.2 miles) at 8:00 a.m., the Turkey Trot 5K at 8:15 a.m., and the Kids Turkey Trot 1K Race at 9:00 a.m. The separate start times give each group its own moment on the course and let parents run before cheering on their kids.

Runners who want a meaningful race on Thanksgiving should look at the 10K, which suits anyone with a few months of steady mileage and works well as a checkpoint before a winter or spring goal race. The 5K is the sociable option for recreational runners and walkers. Preparing for the 10K takes four to six weeks of three to four runs a week, with one run stretched to 5 or 6 miles and one shorter session at a brisk pace. For the 5K, keep it simple: consistent easy running plus a few strides in the final week. A late-November morning in Kansas can be cold, so arrive with layers you can remove after the warm-up.