University City Turkey Trot 5K

University City Turkey Trot 5K is an annual community race held on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main event is a 5K (3.1 miles) run/walk starting at 8:00 a.m., followed by a short kids' fun run at 8:45 a.m. A costume contest is part of the morning, with prizes for the overall and age-group winners as well as the most creative costumes. Every participant receives a medal and an event t-shirt, and you are encouraged to bring a donation for the food drive.

Proceeds benefit Sickle Cell Partners of the Carolinas, a nonprofit that supports people living with sickle cell disease, raises awareness, and advocates for research toward a cure. On the running side, this is a typical holiday 5K: run it hard if you want a benchmark time before the winter, or jog it in costume with the family. Either way, three or four weeks of consistent easy running plus a few strides each week is plenty of preparation, and the 8:00 a.m. start gives you the whole day afterward.