Athens Turkey Trot

Athens Turkey Trot takes place in Athens, Ohio, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, with a single 5K road race (3.1 miles) starting at 8:30 AM. This 18th annual edition follows the classic Thanksgiving-morning format: one distance, one start, and a mix of runners and walkers from the local community.

A Thanksgiving 5K is a perfect low-stakes goal if you have been thinking about your first race: three to four weeks of easy running, two or three times a week, is enough to cover the distance without stopping. Runners who are training through the winter can treat it as a tempo effort or an all-out test, depending on where they are in their plan. Late November in southeastern Ohio is cold in the morning, so warm up for 10 to 15 minutes, wear gloves, and keep the first mile controlled before pushing over the final stretch.