SML Turkey Trot

06/09/2026

🚨 LAST CHANCE FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING! 🚨

If you've been thinking about signing up for the 2026 SML Turkey Trot, now is the time!

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Early Bird registration ends THIS SUNDAY, June 14th, and prices will increase after that date. Right now, registration is at its lowest price, so don't miss your chance to save and secure your spot on the starting line.

Join us Thanksgiving morning for one of Smith Mountain Lake's favorite holiday traditions! Whether you're chasing a PR, walking with friends, or making it a family tradition, the SML Turkey Trot is the perfect way to kick off your Thanksgiving celebration.

✅ Lowest registration prices
✅ Beautiful race course
✅ Family-friendly atmosphere
✅ 5K Walk/Run and 1-miler (there's something for everyone!)
✅ Thanksgiving morning, at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park
✅ Benefiting the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Don't wait until prices go up - register before midnight on Sunday, June 14th! Registration link is in the comments!

Who are you bringing to the Turkey Trot this year? 🦃

05/29/2026

No matter which one you are… there’s a place for you at the SML Turkey Trot. 🧡

Join us Thanksgiving morning for one of the most fun community events of the year at Smith Mountain Lake State Park!

🎉 4th Annual Turkey Trot
⚠️ Lowest registration pricing ends soon (registration link in the comments!)
🚗 Parking fees covered this year by LAT Wellness Studio!

A huge shout out to Photography By Beth Preston LLC for this AMAZING photos!

Tag the person you’re signing up with! 👇

05/21/2026

With Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park – We just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉 It's true - We're HUGE fans of them! 😁🦃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

05/18/2026

🦃 The 4th Annual SML Turkey Trot is Coming Back! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

The SML Turkey Trot has become more than just a race - it’s a true Thanksgiving tradition at Smith Mountain Lake. Each year, families, friends, runners, walkers, and community members gather to start their holiday with movement, connection, and gratitude.

Even better? This event gives back. ❤️
A portion of the proceeds from the race benefit Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, helping preserve and enhance one of our community’s most treasured outdoor spaces.

⭐ Why Sponsor the SML Turkey Trot?

Last year’s race created incredible visibility for our sponsors:
✅ 360+ race participants
✅ Sponsors viewed by 3,000+ visitors on the race registration website
✅ 5,000+ social media impressions during event promotion

Most sponsorship levels also include:
👕 Your company logo printed on official race shirts
🎁 Branded items included in participant swag bags

That means LOTS of opportunities for your business logo to be seen, shared, and remembered - long after race day ends!

🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities Are OPEN NOW

We offer:
⭐ Multiple sponsorship levels for businesses of all sizes
⭐ Flexible in-kind sponsorship opportunities for collaborative partnerships

If you’d like sponsorship information or want to explore an in-kind partnership, we’d love to connect!

📩 Email Lacy at [email protected] for full sponsorship details.

Let’s make the 4th Annual SML Turkey Trot the biggest community celebration yet - supporting our State Park while continuing a holiday tradition so many families love. 🦃🍂

05/14/2026

🍂 Move Together. Laugh Together. Grow Stronger Together. 🦃

Did you know that children with active parents are up to 6 times more likely to be active themselves?

Healthy habits don’t start in a gym — they start with families moving together.

That’s exactly what makes the SML Turkey Trot so special. ❤️

This isn’t just a race…
It’s a family tradition.
A morning of fresh air, laughter, movement, and memories that last far beyond Thanksgiving Day.

Whether you run, walk, push a stroller, or cheer each other across the finish line — you’re showing the next generation that taking care of your health can be fun, meaningful, and done together.

👟 Family-friendly event
🦃 Thanksgiving morning tradition
🌲 Supporting Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park
❤️ All ages & fitness levels welcome

It may only be spring, but now is the BEST time to register while pricing is at its lowest!

👉 Registration link in the comments!

Let’s build strong families, strong traditions, and a stronger community — one step at a time. 💛

04/20/2026

🦃🏃‍♀️ The SML Turkey Trot is back for our 4th Annual Race! 🏃‍♂️🦃

We know it’s only spring… but now is the BEST time to register for this fall Thanksgiving tradition, while pricing is at its lowest!

Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a fun, family-friendly event that brings our community together for a great cause.

✨ Early Bird pricing is available NOW — lock in the lowest rate
✨ Parking is covered by LAT this year, so you can arrive stress-free
✨ Run, walk, or trot with family and friends of all ages

This event helps raise money and awareness for the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, supporting their efforts to maintain the park and host the events we all enjoy there.

Plan ahead, save money, and give yourself something fun to look forward to this Thanksgiving season!

👉 Register here: www.runsignup.com/SMLTurkeyTrot

03/26/2026

🦃 SML Turkey Trot Registration is OPEN! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Thanksgiving morning tradition is back! Join us on November 26, 2026 for the annual SML Turkey Trot — and this year we have a BIG upgrade…

✨ NO PARKING PASSES. NO PARKING LINE. ✨

Last year’s start delay was caused by park parking procedures (outside of our control), but we listened - and we wanted race morning to run smoother for everyone.

👉 LAT Wellness Studio is covering ALL parking costs this year!

That means:
✅ No stopping at the booth
✅ Faster arrival & check-in
✅ An on-time race start
✅ More time for family, food, and Thanksgiving fun

And don’t wait…
🐦 Early Bird pricing is LIVE, which means this is the lowest registration price you’ll get!

Grab your spot, save some money, and kick off Thanksgiving with movement, community, and a whole lot of fun.

🔗 Register now! Link is in the comments!

03/03/2026

🦃🍂 The 4th Annual SML Turkey Trot is BACK! 🍂🦃

Thanksgiving morning just wouldn’t be the same without this amazing community tradition!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 26, 2026 at 9:00AM and join us for the 4th Annual SML Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Walk/Run!

This family-fun event is all about bringing the Smith Mountain Lake community together before the big feast — whether you’re racing for a PR, walking with friends, pushing a stroller, or making it a yearly family tradition. ❤️

Even better? The race benefits the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, helping support and preserve the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake State Park we all know and love.

💥 EARLY BIRD PRICING IS LIVE!
This is the lowest registration price you’ll see — so don’t wait!

👉 Register now: www.runsignup.com/SMLTurkeyTrot⁠

Interested in showcasing your business to hundreds of local participants and supporters? We have sponsorship spots available!
📩 Contact Lacy at [email protected] for sponsorship details.

Let’s kick off Thanksgiving morning with gratitude, movement, and community spirit. 🧡

Tag your running buddies and start making your Turkey Trot plans NOW!

01/15/2026

The volunteer organization we support host their own race in the spring! 😁🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Early bird pricing is on NOW!

The Osprey 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk is happening in April. Register now for early bird pricing!

01/13/2026

Our hearts are full. 🤍

The Smith Mountain Lake Turkey Trot was honored with 2nd Place for both Best Community Event and Best Charitable Event in the Best of Smith Mountain Lake Awards.

This event is what it is because of our community — families, runners, walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who shows up year after year to support something bigger than themselves. From gathering at our beautiful local park to celebrating together at the finish line, the Turkey Trot has always been about connection, giving back, and community pride.

We’re so grateful for the continued support of our local park and everyone who helps make this event possible. This recognition truly belongs to all of you who lace up, lend a hand, cheer from the sidelines, and believe in the power of coming together.

Thank you for making the Turkey Trot more than a race — you’ve made it a tradition. 🦃💙