Mendon Turkey Trot - Mendon, MA

Mendon Turkey Trot - Mendon, MA takes place in Mendon, Massachusetts, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026. The event offers a single format, the Mendon Turkey Trot 5K (3.1 miles), starting at 8:00 a.m. It is a Thanksgiving morning tradition in this small town, giving runners and walkers a chance to get moving before the holiday meal.

A 5K is an accessible target whether you are lacing up for the first time or chasing a fast time. Beginners can build up to it in six to eight weeks by running three times a week and gradually extending the longest run to about 3 miles. If you already run regularly, use the weeks before the race to sharpen with short intervals at 5K pace, then keep the last few days easy. Dress in layers for a late-November start in New England and plan on an easy jog to warm up beforehand.