St. Louis Turkey Trot 5K & 8K

St. Louis Turkey Trot 5K & 8K takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 26, 2026, with both the 8K (about 5 miles) and the 5K (3.1 miles) starting at 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. This annual event is open to participants of all ages and gives you a way to start the holiday on an active note. Every finisher who crosses the line gets a donut.

Choosing between the two distances comes down to your training: the 8K is a nice step up if you have been running 20 miles a week or more and want something longer than a 5K without committing to a 10K, while the 5K is the right fit for beginners, walkers, and anyone chasing a quick, sharp effort. With both races starting together, seed yourself by pace rather than by distance. An 8:00 a.m. start in St. Louis in late November usually means cold conditions, so warm up for 10 minutes and keep a throwaway layer on until the gun. Eight weeks of three runs per week prepares you well for either distance.