Trot with us through the streets
of downtown Des Moines
ON THANKSGIVING MORNING!
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26th | 2026
Named as one of the best Turkey Trot’s in the country, and ‘Top Trot’ in Iowa by Runner’s World Magazine 5 years in a row, The Des Moines Turkey Trot is Iowa’s largest Thanksgiving Day tradition.
Join in this holiday in downtown Des Moines, or ‘virtually anywhere,’ for our 5K, 5 Mile, and Tot Trot events. This is indeed an event for runners, walkers and trotters!
The Des Moines Turkey Trot is like a highlight reel of the city that leads the country in community pride. Ready to experience downtown Des Moines, or show it off to your visiting family and friends? Here's your chance!
Athletes will start their Thanksgiving run with the Des Moines Courthouse as their backdrop in the heart of the Court District. From there, both 5K and 5 mile runners will make their way across the Des Moines River and through the center of the Historic East Village. A slight uphill will run athletes around the whole of the State Capitol Complex which offers the most famous view of downtown Des Moines. From there, it's downhill for home!
5 Mile Athletes will finish their holiday "tour" with a scenic jaunt to the Botanical Center before returning across the Women's Achievement Bridge and finishing by running in front of the historic World Food Prize building.
We are coming back with our favorites with the all-purpose shopper bag, official race bib, and the finisher ornament at the finish line. All items below are included with every 5 Mile / 5K registration (Tot Trot will have knit hat, bib, and medal.) Be on the look out for additional festive items for purchase during the registration process including this year’s t-shirt, socks, cooked turkey hats and out favorite ‘Cousin Eddy’ trapper hat.
The Greatest Stuffing in the Universe
✦
The Greatest Stuffing in the Universe ✦
The tradition starts even before Thanksgiving morning. Kick off the holiday at packet pick-up, where festive activities, holiday lights, and family-friendly fun help set the tone for the weekend. You might even head home with your Thanksgiving pie already taken care of.
Then, on Thanksgiving morning, wake up, throw on your favorite turkey hat, and join a sea of festive runners making their way through downtown Des Moines. Dress your flock in matching gear, sing along to holiday music, and soak up the energy of 6,000 people celebrating together before the Thanksgiving feast begins.
