Hampstead Turkey Trot

Hampstead Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning race in Hampstead, New Hampshire, on November 26, 2026. The single format is a 5K Walk/Run (3.1 miles) starting at 8:30 a.m. As the name suggests, walkers and runners share the course, so the field ranges from people racing for a time to families who just want a brisk outing before the holiday meal.

Late November in southern New Hampshire usually means cold air and sometimes icy patches, so shoes with reliable grip and a warm-up jog before 8:30 a.m. are worth planning for. Runners who want to go fast can spend six weeks adding one weekly speed session or set of hill repeats to their regular mileage, then ease off in the last few days. If this is your first 5K, alternate walking and jogging three times a week and gradually extend the running portions until you can cover 30 minutes without stopping. Dress in layers and keep gloves on until you have warmed up.