Turkey trots in Iowa 2026
Turkey trots are the Thanksgiving races: mostly 5Ks on Thanksgiving morning, often for a local charity, and the biggest running day of the year in the US. 25 turkey trots in Iowa. 16 on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2026. Dates, distances and how competitive each field is.
- Sat, Nov 14Gobbler 5K, 10K, 13.1M and 26.2MDes Moines5K10K
- Sat, Nov 14Gobbler 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M at Des Moines, IA (46)Des Moines5K10KHalf marathonMarathon
- Sat, Nov 14Turkey Trot For TrinityProtivin5K
- Sat, Nov 21Gobbler 5K, 10K, and 13.1MBettendorf5K10K
- Sat, Nov 21Stuffed Turkey Endurance RacesGrangerUltra
- Sat, Nov 21Gobbler 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Bettendorf, IA (47)Bettendorf5K10KHalf marathon
- Sat, Nov 21Logan Turkey Trot 5k/1mileLogan5K
- Sun, Nov 22Turkey TrailsDes Moines5K10K
- Sun, Nov 22Turkey Trails- Des MoinesDes Moines5K10KHalf marathon Competitive
- Thu, Nov 26McCarthy Bush Turkey TrotDavenport5K
- Thu, Nov 26Turkey Trot 5KMount Pleasant5K
- Thu, Nov 26Turkey Trot 5KWaterloo5K
- Thu, Nov 26Turkey Trot 5K Run & WalkCharles City5K
- Thu, Nov 26Get Roasted Turkey Trot 5KWaverly5K
- Thu, Nov 26Marshalltown Area United Way Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Fun RunMarshalltown5K10K
- Thu, Nov 26Turkey Trot 5KWaterloo5K
- Thu, Nov 262026 Central Lyon Student Council Turkey TrotRock Rapids5K
- Thu, Nov 26Ames Turkey TrotAmes5K
- Thu, Nov 26Ankeny Turkey Trot 5KAnkeny5K
- Thu, Nov 26Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot 5K Run/WalkCedar Rapids5K
- Thu, Nov 26FAM Turkey TrotWest Des Moines5K
- Thu, Nov 26Flint Hills Turkey TrotBurlington5K
- Thu, Nov 26Hawkeye Turkey TrotIowa City5K
- Thu, Nov 26The Des Moines Turkey TrotDes Moines5K
- Thu, Nov 26Turkey Trot 5kWaterloo5K Very competitive
Turkey trots by state
Alabama 35Alaska 2Arizona 28Arkansas 32California 137Colorado 42Connecticut 36Delaware 7Washington, DC 9Florida 188Georgia 70Hawaii 8Idaho 13Illinois 77Indiana 48Iowa 25Kansas 18Kentucky 50Louisiana 18Maine 18Maryland 52Massachusetts 71Michigan 83Minnesota 29Mississippi 13Missouri 56Montana 11Nebraska 13Nevada 10New Hampshire 18New Jersey 92New Mexico 11New York 106North Carolina 116North Dakota 4Ohio 80Oklahoma 26Oregon 21Pennsylvania 100Rhode Island 4South Carolina 34South Dakota 6Tennessee 47Texas 155Utah 18Vermont 16Virginia 89Washington 61West Virginia 18Wisconsin 33Wyoming 4
Common questions
When are turkey trots in Iowa in 2026?
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. 16 of the 25 turkey trots we list in Iowa are that day; the rest fall on the days around it.
How long is a turkey trot?
Most are 5Ks: 96% of the turkey trots in Iowa have one. 7 offer a 10K and 3 offer a Half marathon. Many add a kids' run or a 1-mile walk.
Which turkey trot in Iowa has the fastest field?
By past results, Turkey Trot 5k in Waterloo, then Turkey Trails- Des Moines. Field strength compares the front of each race's field with every other race at that distance.
Where would I place in a turkey trot?
Open any race with past results and enter your time: raceIQ compares you with that race's past finishers in your age group. With a free account it ranks every race near you by where you'd likely finish.