Madison Turkey Trot 5K - Madison

Madison Turkey Trot 5K - Madison is an annual Thanksgiving tradition in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 26, 2026, with a 5K (3.1 miles) that you can run or walk, starting at 8:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to share their experience with the hashtag #TurkeyTradition. The organizers note that details such as times and locations may change, so check the schedule before race morning.

Treat this one as a relaxed season-closer or a last fast effort of the year, depending on where your training stands. Runners who have kept consistent mileage through the fall can sharpen up with two or three weeks of short intervals at goal pace and a few strides, then rest in the final days. First-timers and families do well with a few easy 30-minute runs or brisk walks in the month beforehand. Late November in Madison is cold, so keep your layers on until the last minute, warm up with an easy jog, and expect to enjoy the post-race feeling more than the temperature at the start line.