Oglesby Turkey Trot

Oglesby Turkey Trot is an annual Thanksgiving Day race in Oglesby, Illinois, on November 26, 2026, held at the Elks Lodge. The main event is a 3-mile run/walk starting at 9:00 a.m., alongside a kids' fun run. You can register online or on race day, with discounts for club members and families. Age-group awards are given, refreshments at the finish include water and free beer for those 21 and over, the first 900 registrants receive a commemorative beanie, and results are posted online.

A 3-mile run is essentially a 5K, so any 5K plan applies: six weeks of three short runs a week for a first-timer, or a weekly interval session on top of your regular running if you want to contend for an age-group award. The race-day registration option makes it easy to decide at the last minute, though signing up early is the way to secure a beanie. Late November in north-central Illinois is cold, so dress in layers and warm up before the 9:00 a.m. start.