Old North State 5K Turkey Trot Run/Walk

Old North State 5K Turkey Trot Run/Walk takes place in New London, North Carolina, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026. The 5K run/walk (3.1 miles) starts at 9:00 a.m. and invites participants of every level to run or walk in support of local food banks. Registration includes a long-sleeve event shirt, and proceeds go to food-assistance efforts in the community.

Because it is explicitly a run/walk, the pace is entirely up to you: walk it with family, jog it as an easy holiday-morning outing, or race it. If you are running your first 5K, six weeks of three short runs a week will get you there comfortably. If you want a time, keep your regular routine and add one weekly session of short intervals at 5K pace. Late November in the North Carolina Piedmont is usually cool but not harsh at 9:00 a.m., so a light layer over your event shirt is often all you need.