Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k

Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k is held in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2026, with the 5K (3.1 miles) starting at 9:00 a.m. The annual race benefits two local food charities, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, with a portion of every entry fee going to them. The course follows neighborhood roads near Albemarle High School, and you can enter as an individual or as part of a team, in person or virtually. Chip timing, plenty of parking, and on-site medical services are all part of the setup.

Neighborhood roads and chip timing add up to an honest, reliable 5K, so it is a reasonable place to test your fitness or go after a personal best: jog an easy mile beforehand, add a few strides, and hold back slightly through the first half mile. The team option makes it easy to bring coworkers or relatives, and the virtual entry keeps you involved if you are traveling. Beginners can be ready in six weeks with three run-walk sessions a week, building toward 30 minutes of continuous running.