Arlington Heights Turkey Trot

Arlington Heights Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning event in Arlington Heights, Illinois, on November 26, 2026, built around two starts. A 100-meter Kids Fun Run opens the day at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K run / walk (3.1 miles) follows at 9:00 a.m. The order makes it easy to bring children along: they run their dash, then watch or wait while you take on the 5K half an hour later.

For adults, this is a low-stakes race that fits into a normal week rather than requiring a training block. Newer runners can walk parts of it without any pressure, and experienced runners can use the 5K as a hard effort in the middle of base training. Chicago-area weather in late November is the main variable, so dress in layers you can hand off before the start and jog for ten to fifteen minutes beforehand. If you want a fast time, run the first mile a shade slower than goal pace and close hard.