Thornton Turkey Trot

11/26/2025

Packet Pickup today from noon - 6pm at Running for Kicks in Palos.
If you can't make it, we will start packet pickup tomorrow at 8 AM.

11/24/2025

Packet Pickup will be Wednesday at Running for Kicks from Noon to 6 PM. Have you signed up for Illinois Oldest Turkey Trot?

The Thornton Turkey Trot is on Thursday November 27, 2025. It includes the following events: Thornton Turkey Trot 5k, Thornton Turkey Trot - 1 Mile Kids Race, and Thornton Turkey Trot- 1 Mile Community Walk.

11/04/2025

57th Annual Thornton Turkey Trot

Every November, thousands of Turkey Trots take place across the United States, held either on Thanksgiving Day or the weekend that follows. Runners gather—often dressed as turkeys or pilgrims—to take part in races that are typically 5K or 10K in length. While many join to justify a day of feasting afterward, few realize that this lighthearted Thanksgiving tradition has a surprisingly deep history.

The very first Turkey Trot was held in 1896 in Buffalo, New York, organized by the YMCA. Considered the first official road race in the United States—predating even the Boston Marathon—it featured just six runners racing five miles on dirt roads. The course was later paved in the early 1900s, though women weren’t allowed to compete until 1972. By 2015, participation had swelled to 12,834 runners, transforming the Buffalo Turkey Trot into a nationally recognized event that draws participants from around the world.

The Midwest’s oldest race is also a Turkey Trot. Cincinnati, Ohio, launched its Thanksgiving Day 10K in 1908 with just 21 runners; today, it welcomes around 13,000 participants each year.

Over a century later, the Turkey Trot phenomenon has not faded; in fact, it continues to grow, with more participants and races every year. According to Run Sign Up, 1,109,909 people ran in a Turkey Trot in 2024.



Chicago is no exception in the trend:

Illinois Oldest Turkey Trot, the Thornton Tukey Trot, was first held in 1967 at Wampum Lake. The race, started by the Thornridge Cross Country Coaches and the Thornton Lions Club, kicked off with 119 runners paying $1 to run.



In 2019, the race was moved to Sweet Woods, but continued on. This year, for the 58th year, the Southland welcomes Chicago area runners to the Thornton Turkey Trot races on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, at 9:00 AM at Sweet Woods Forest Preserve, 183rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue in Glenwood.



The community race offers thousands of runners a scenic run before their Thanksgiving festivities.



The event also gives back to the community. Proceeds will be donated to the Winged Foot Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 Charitable Organization assisting student athletes throughout Illinois since 2007.



Two races will be run on a well-marked paved trail: The 1 Mile Kids Run and community walk starts at 9:00 AM and the 5k (3.1 miles) will start at 9:30 AM.



Questions can be directed to [email protected]

https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Glenwood/ThorntonTurkeyTrot

11/21/2024

We are one week away from the 56th Annual Thornton Turkey Trot! Join the millions across the country by running a turkey trot on Thanksgiving Morning.

Use the code Turkey24 for $5 off your entry fee.

https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Glenwood/ThorntonTurkeyTrot

12/26/2023

We are six days away from the 3rd annual Resolution Run. Start of 2024 with a loop around the Vollmer Trail at 11 AM. New Years Day. Use the code newyear24 for $5 off your entry fee.

The Resolution Run 6K is on Monday January 1, 2024.

12/05/2023

Get ready to start the new your on the right foot by running the Resolution Run on New Years Day at 11:00 AM at the Vollmer Trail. Use the code newyear24 to get $5 off your entry fee.
Price goes up on December 14th.

The Resolution Run 6K is on Monday January 1, 2024.

12/04/2023

Check out photos from the Turkey Trot!

The Thornton Turkey Trot is on Thursday November 23, 2023. It includes the following events: Thornton Turkey Trot 5k and Thornton Turkey Trot - 1.5 Mile Kids Race.

11/28/2023

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 55th annual Turkey Trot. We were able to raise over $1000 for the Winged Foot Foundation.

Results are here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/81566 -425339;perpage:100

We look forward to seeing everyone at the 56th annual next Thanksgiving.

11/23/2023

On site registration and packet pickup starts at 8 AM at Sweet Woods.

11/21/2023

Sadly, the Mt. Prospect Turkey Trot is no more. This now makes the Thornton Turkey Trot the longest running Turkey Trot in Illinois.

Have you registered?

The Thornton Turkey Trot is on Thursday November 23, 2023. It includes the following events: Thornton Turkey Trot 5k and Thornton Turkey Trot - 1.5 Mile Kids Race.

11/18/2023

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