Kaylin White 
A Thanksgiving-morning turkey trot is a part of many Northern Virginia communities’ holiday events, and this year is no different. There are events ranging from casual neighborhood runs to larger timed races with 5K, 10K, and kids’ race options. Many also raise money or collect donations for local nonprofits, schools, food banks, and other community organizations. Read on for Turkey Trots happening throughout Northern Virginia in November 2026.
Tysons Rotary 5K Turkey Trot | Tysons Central Park, 1775 Tysons Boulevard, Tysons
Sunday, November 15th
The Tysons Rotary Club kicks off the local Turkey Trot season with a 5K at Tysons Central Park. Registration supports the Rotary Club’s charitable initiatives and community programs throughout Northern Virginia.
Bunnyman Turkey Trot 5K + 10K | Lorton
Saturday, November 21st
This pre-Thanksgiving race gives runners the choice between a 5K and 10K in Lorton. The 2026 race is scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving, making it an option for anyone who wants to get those holiday miles in before Thanksgiving morning.
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Eagle 5000 Turkey Trot | Thomas Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria
Saturday, November 21st
The Eagle 5000 brings a slightly different format to Turkey Trot season. The 5K takes place on the track at Thomas Edison High School, with runners divided into heats based on predicted finish times, and proceeds support the school’s Cross Country and Track + Field programs.
Herndon Turkey Trot 5K | Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Avenue, Herndon
Saturday, November 21st
Herndon’s annual Turkey Trot is a family-friendly 5K through the area surrounding the Herndon Community Center. In true Thanksgiving fashion, the overall winners go home with turkeys, while registered participants ages 21+ can celebrate afterward with a beer token.
MVHS Cares Gobblepalooza 5K/10K Turkey Trot + Wellness Walk | Alexandria
Saturday, November 21st
Gobblepalooza has several ways to participate, including a 5K, 10K, + wellness walk. The event takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving, making it another option for runners who would rather leave Thanksgiving morning open for sleeping in and eating.
Burn Boot Camp Gobble + Give 5K | Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton
Sunday, November 22nd
The Gobble + Give event starts with a kids’ one-mile run before the main 5K gets underway. Strollers are welcome, and the community-focused race also supports a local cause.
Vienna Turkey Trot 5K + 10K | Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Center Street South, Vienna
Sunday, November 22nd
Vienna’s annual Turkey Trot has something for several types of runners, with a 5K, 10K, + kids’ fun run on the schedule. The community race also raises money for the James Madison High School Marching Band and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
Winery at Bull Run Turkey Trot 5K + 10K | Centreville
Wednesday, November 25th
Running a Turkey Trot at a winery feels appropriately festive for the day before Thanksgiving. The Winery at Bull Run hosts 5K and 10K races on Wednesday afternoon, giving runners a chance to squeeze in a workout before Thanksgiving officially begins.
Alexandria Turkey Trot | Del Ray, Alexandria
Thursday, November 26th
One of Northern Virginia’s biggest Thanksgiving traditions returns to Del Ray for another year. The five-mile Alexandria Turkey Trot winds through the neighborhood and welcomes runners, walkers, families, strollers, + dogs, with participants also encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations for ALIVE!.
2026 Arlington Turkey Trot | Lyon Park Community Center, 414 North Fillmore Street, Arlington
Thursday, November 26th
The Arlington Turkey Trot celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2026. This family-friendly 5K doubles as a major fundraiser for Arlington nonprofits, with more than $1 million raised for local organizations over the race’s history.
Ashburn Farm Thanksgiving Day Races | 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn
Thursday, November 26th
Ashburn Farm’s annual Thanksgiving Day races are another longtime NoVA tradition. There are in-person and virtual ways to participate, so runners can join the festivities even if Thanksgiving travel gets in the way.
Braemar Annual 5K Turkey Trot | 12300 Iona Sound Drive, Bristow
Thursday, November 26th
The Braemar Turkey Trot welcomes runners ages five and up for a neighborhood 5K on Thanksgiving morning. The 2026 race supports Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit focused on mental health awareness and resources for student-athletes.
Turkey Trot 5K + 10K at Burke Lake Park | Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
Thursday, November 26th
For runners looking for a more scenic Thanksgiving morning, this race takes place at Burke Lake Park. Participants can choose between a 5K and 10K through the park, with a virtual option also available.
CAN the Bird 5K | 5885 Kingstowne Boulevard, Alexandria
Thursday, November 26th
CAN the Bird combines a Thanksgiving morning race with a food drive benefiting local food banks. The route loops around the Kingstowne neighborhood lake, and there’s even a Doggie Duo category for runners who want to cross the finish line with a four-legged running buddy.
City of Fairfax Turkey Trot | Fairfax
Thursday, November 26th
The 5K will start near Fire Station 3, loop through Old Town Fairfax and George Mason University, finishing near the Fire House. All the fun starts at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 26.
Hero’s Bridge Prince William Turkey Trot | Freedom Aquatic + Fitness Center, 9100 Freedom Center Boulevard, Manassas
Thursday, November 26th
Participants can choose between the 5K and the appropriately named Mashed Potato Mile at this Prince William County race. Proceeds support Hero’s Bridge, a nonprofit serving older veterans in Northern Virginia.
See more: How to Enjoy Virginia Wine Month, According to a Northern Virginia Winemaker
2026 Lansdowne Turkey Trot | Potomac Club, 43459 Riverpoint Drive, Lansdowne
Thursday, November 26th
The Lansdowne Turkey Trot includes both a 5K and 1K, making it an approachable Thanksgiving morning outing for runners of different ages. A virtual option is also available.
Mosby Woods Turkey Trot + Sidewalk Stroll | Fairfax
Thursday, November 26th
This neighborhood event keeps things especially low-key. Rather than a traditional registration fee, participants are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations for Food For Others before heading out through the Mosby Woods neighborhood.
Reston Runners Thanksgiving Day 5K Turkey Trot | Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston
Thursday, November 26th
Reston Runners hosts a casual Thanksgiving morning trail run at Lake Fairfax Park. The community event doesn’t require traditional race registration, and participants are encouraged to bring canned or boxed food donations for local food banks.
South Run Turkey Trot 5K + 10K | Springfield
Thursday, November 26th
Springfield runners can also choose between 5K and 10K distances at the South Run Turkey Trot. It’s another Thanksgiving morning option for anyone hoping to get some miles in before spending the rest of the day around the dinner table.
Turkey Day 5K + 1 Mile Races | South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston
Thursday, November 26th
This Reston race has several distances for families, with a 5K, one-mile race, + shorter option for little runners. A virtual registration is available, too.
Virginia Run Turkey Trot | Virginia Run Community Center, Centreville
Thursday, November 26th
This longstanding Centreville tradition brings runners + walkers together for a 5K and 3K walk. The race benefits the American Boy Project, an organization supporting people and families affected by addiction.
Langley + McLean Crew Turkey Trot | Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean
Saturday, November 28th
Turkey Trot season doesn’t end on Thanksgiving Day. This Saturday race helps support crew programs for high school students in McLean + Great Falls, followed by a post-race celebration with music, food trucks, + coffee.
Fairfax Turkey Trot 5K + 10K at Lake Fairfax | Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston
Sunday, November 29th
For anyone who still has energy left after Thanksgiving weekend, this Lake Fairfax race includes both 5K + 10K distances as well as a virtual option.
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