Smoky Bear Turkey Chase 5K

Smoky Bear Turkey Chase 5K takes place in Sevierville, Tennessee, on November 26, 2026, Thanksgiving morning, with an 8:00 a.m. start for the single 5K (3.1 miles). The race benefits the Sevier County High School Foundation and its STEM scholarship, and runners of every level are welcome. The course is described as scenic, refreshments are offered at the finish, and each participant receives a gift, either a custom medal or a Christmas ornament. Strollers and service dogs are allowed, keeping the event inclusive for everyone.

Don't assume a perfectly flat course; run by feel and let the terrain dictate your pace. For seasoned runners, an 8:00 a.m. 5K is a good hard effort to open the holiday, so warm up for 10 to 15 minutes beforehand. If this is your first race, six to eight weeks of three runs per week, building to 30 minutes continuous, will get you to the finish. Pushing a stroller? Start a bit farther back and go by effort rather than pace.