Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, and a good share of Southwest Ohio starts the day at a starting line. The local turkey trots range from a 10K that finishes on the field inside TQL Stadium to a trail race around an old Fairborn quarry, and nearly all of them have a kids dash for anyone too small for the full distance. If Thursday morning is already spoken for, two Saturday races in Cincinnati and Dayton give you a second shot.
Here are the Thanksgiving races in Cincinnati, Dayton and the suburbs in between, with start times, locations and what to know before you register. Our full list of things to do in Southwest Ohio covers the rest of the long weekend.
Thanksgiving Day Races
Fleet Feet’s Mason Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Start time: 8 a.m.
Location: Corwin Nixon Park, 6307 S. Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040
Website: Fleet Feet’s Mason Turkey Trot registration
A 5K run or walk through Corwin Nixon Park, organized by Fleet Feet. It’s an easy first race for new runners, and dogs on a short leash are allowed, so the family dog can come along.
- Separate timed 5K run and 5K walk registrations.
- Age-group awards from 10 and under through 70 and up.
- Packet pickup is at Fleet Feet, 7661 Voice of America Centre Drive in West Chester, on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m.
- Race-day parking is in the Mason High School lots. Leave time to walk to the start.
Tipp Turkey Trot (Tipp City)
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Start time: 8 a.m.
Location: Kyle Park, 500 S. First St., Tipp City, OH 45371
Website: Tipp Turkey Trot registration
About 20 minutes north of Dayton, Tipp City’s race is in its 19th year at Kyle Park. It’s smaller than the big Dayton-area trots, which is the point if you’d rather not fight a crowd at the start.
- 5K and 10K options, both starting at 8 a.m.
- Proceeds benefit Ginghamsburg Church’s New Path Ministry, which provides food for local families in need.
Turkey Trot 5K, 10K and 15K at Oakes Quarry Park (Fairborn)
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Start time: 8 a.m.
Location: Oakes Quarry Park, 1267 E. Xenia Drive, Fairborn, OH 45324
Website: Fairborn Turkey Trot registration
This is the only trail race on the list. The course winds through woods and along the limestone cliffs of a former quarry, so expect hills, rocks and possibly mud. It suits older kids and adults who want a real workout more than a holiday stroll.
- 1.55-mile fun run, 5K, 10K and 15K options.
- Every runner gets a finisher medal, and registration for the 5K, 10K and 15K includes a T-shirt.
- Awards for the overall winners in each distance.
- Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
ORRRC Miamisburg Turkey Trot
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Start time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Riverfront Park, downtown Miamisburg
Website: Miamisburg Turkey Trot
The Ohio River Road Runners Club has put on this race for more than 40 years, and it draws thousands of runners and walkers every Thanksgiving. The main event is 5 miles on a loop course that starts and finishes at Riverfront Park, and the 1-mile run/walk is the kid-sized option.
- 5-mile run/walk, 1-mile run/walk and a virtual option.
- 5-mile runners are assigned to starting corrals by expected finish time.
- Packet pickup is Sunday, Nov. 22, from noon to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and race morning from 7 to 8:15 a.m. Race morning is packet pickup only, so register ahead.
Meyer Brothers & Sons Hamilton Turkey Trot
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Start times: Kids Fun Run at 8:20 a.m., 10K at 8:40 a.m., 5K at 9 a.m.
Location: Marcum Park, 116 Dayton St., Hamilton, OH 45011
Website: Hamilton Turkey Trot registration
Butler County’s big Thanksgiving race starts and finishes at Marcum Park downtown. Proceeds support YoungLives, a local program that mentors teen parents and their children.
- 5K is $40 and 10K is $55. Both include a long-sleeve race shirt, a custom medal and chip timing.
- The Kids Fun Run (10 and under) is free, and every finisher gets a turkey medal and a race bib.
- Team trophies go to the fastest, largest and best-costumed teams, so a matching family costume can pay off.
- Packet pickup is Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Benison Events Center, 100 S. Third St., and Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Main Street Running Collective, 119 Main St. Race-day pickup and registration run from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 1 Riverfront Plaza.
Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day Race (Cincinnati)
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Start times: ProAmpac Kids Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., 10K and 5K at 9 a.m.
Location: TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45214
Website: Thanksgiving Day Race
This is Cincinnati’s oldest running tradition, now in its 117th year, and it routinely draws more than 10,000 runners and walkers. The 10K and 5K start together, and both finish on the field inside TQL Stadium.
- Choose the Western & Southern 10K or the 5K.
- The ProAmpac Kids Fun Run covers about a quarter mile from the main start line, and every kid gets a T-shirt and a medal.
- Post-race festivities are in the Pella Recovery Zone inside the stadium.
- Packet pickup is at TQL Stadium Nov. 24 to 26.
- The race supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, the FC Cincinnati Foundation, Roger Bacon High School and Young Life.
- Race-day parking is spread across downtown and stadium-area garages and lots, so plan your route the night before. No dogs on the course.
West Chester Turkey Trot 5K
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Start time: 9 a.m.
Location: Voice of America MetroPark, 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester Township, OH 45069
Website: West Chester Turkey Trot
A family 5K at VOA MetroPark, and everyone gets a donut at the finish line. With a timed run, an untimed walk and two kids events, it works for a group with very different paces.
- Timed 5K run/walk or untimed 5K walk.
- The Kid’s Division 5K Fun Run (11 and under) includes an untimed bib and a finish-line donut.
- The 100-meter Kids Dash (8 and under) is free.
- Virtual 5K available.
Saturday, Nov. 28
Cincinnati Turkey Trot Half Marathon, 10K and 5K
Date: Saturday, Nov. 28
Start time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Otto Armleder Memorial Park, 5057 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Website: Cincinnati Turkey Trot
Two days after Thanksgiving, this race runs a flat loop through Armleder Park along the Little Miami River. It’s the best option on this list for a half marathon PR, and the 5K and kids events keep it a family outing.
- Half marathon, 10K and timed or untimed 5K.
- Kid’s Division 5K Fun Run (11 and under) and a free 100-meter Kid’s Dash (8 and under).
- Virtual half marathon, 10K and 5K.
- Runners choose a long-sleeve shirt or a quarter-zip, and Holtman’s Donuts are waiting at the finish.
- Standard online registration closes Nov. 23.
Dayton Turkey Trot Half Marathon and 5K
Date: Saturday, Nov. 28
Start time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Welcome Stadium, 1601 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417
Website: Dayton Turkey Trot
Both courses start and finish on the Welcome Stadium track and follow streets and paved paths along the Dayton riverfront. Bill’s Donuts are at the finish.
- Half marathon, timed 5K and untimed 5K.
- The Kids Division Fun Run (11 and under) includes an untimed bib and a finisher medal.
- The 100-meter Kids Dash (8 and under) is free, and every finisher gets a ribbon.
- Virtual half marathon and 5K available.
Race-day checklist
Copy it, print it or screenshot it for Thursday morning.
| Task | Notes |
|---|---|
| Register early | Prices go up closer to race day, and late registrants may not get their shirt size. |
| Check packet-pickup times | Picking up early keeps you out of race-morning lines. |
| Plan parking and arrival | Downtown lots fill quickly for the Cincinnati races. |
| Lay out gear the night before | Late November mornings are cold. Dress in layers you can shed. |
| Bring your confirmation and ID | It speeds up check-in. |
| Pack snacks and water | Especially for kids waiting on a later start. |
| Review the course map and start corrals | Important if you’re pushing a stroller. |
| Share your race photos | Tag us with #TurkeyTrotSWO. |
