Turkey trot facts for kids
Turkey trots are running events, usually long-distance races, held near Thanksgiving Day in the United States. The name comes from the turkey, which is a popular food for Thanksgiving dinner. Some races in the United Kingdom around Christmas are also called turkey trots, as turkey is eaten there at Christmas too.
In the U.S., many of these Thanksgiving races are official road races. They can be different lengths, like 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles) or even a half marathon (about 13.1 miles). Other races are more casual "fun runs." These fun runs are often held to raise money for charity. Runners sometimes wear costumes, especially turkey costumes! The Atlanta Marathon used to be a full marathon (about 26.2 miles) held on Thanksgiving from 1981 to 2009. It was the longest Thanksgiving Day race. Now, it's a half-marathon, and the full marathon is held at a different time of year. The oldest known turkey trot race started in Buffalo, New York, in 1896, and it's still happening every year!
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Famous Turkey Trot Races
Many cities across the United States host their own special turkey trots. These races are a fun way for families and friends to get active before their big Thanksgiving meals. Here are some of the most well-known ones:
Buffalo Turkey Trot
The Buffalo Turkey Trot in Buffalo, New York, is the oldest running race in the United States. It started way back in 1896! Every year, about 14,000 runners take part in this 8-kilometer (about 5-mile) race. It's a very popular tradition.
Cuero Texas Turkey Trot
The Cuero Texas Turkey Trot in Cuero, Texas, has a very unique twist. Instead of people running, real turkeys are the participants! These domestic turkeys parade through the town. This special event now takes place in October, around the same time as Canadian Thanksgiving.
Dallas Turkey Trot
The Dallas Turkey Trot in Dallas, Texas, is one of the biggest turkey trots. It started in the 1940s and now has more than 25,000 runners each year. It's an 8-mile (about 12.9-kilometer) race.
Dana Point Turkey Trot
The Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, California, attracts over 18,000 people. This race has also given more than $500,000 to local charities. It's a great example of how these races help communities.
Invesco QQQ Half Marathon (Atlanta)
The Invesco QQQ Half Marathon in Atlanta, Georgia, used to be the biggest half marathon on Thanksgiving morning. From 1981 to 2009, it was part of the Atlanta Marathon, which was the longest turkey trot in the U.S.
Manchester Road Race
The Manchester Road Race in Manchester, Connecticut, has been running since 1927. It's a 4.748-mile (about 7.6-kilometer) race that is a long-standing tradition in its community.
Run to Feed the Hungry Race
The Run to Feed the Hungry race in Sacramento, California, started in 1994. It's a very popular event, attracting over 27,000 runners every year. This race helps to provide food for those in need.
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot in Austin, Texas, began in 1990. About 20,000 people usually participate in this 5-mile (about 8-kilometer) race.
Troy Turkey Trot
The Troy Turkey Trot is another very old race, starting in 1916. Only six runners took part in the very first race. Today, it is one of the largest and oldest turkey trots in the United States.
Images for kids
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A person dressed as a turkey runs in a 10K race on Thanksgiving Day.
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In 1912, Cuero, Texas, held a turkey trot where real turkeys paraded through the town.
