This guide compares eleven turkey trots in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the nearby suburbs on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026, all starting between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.: Twin Cities In Motion's Turkey Day 5K in downtown Minneapolis at 8 a.m., the Drumstick Dash around Lake Harriet at 8 a.m., and Turkey Trot St. Paul by the Mississippi (10K at 7:30 a.m., 6K at 8 a.m.).
An adult entry costs about $32.80 to $70 with fees on November 2 ($32.80 to $65 for a 5K), and most prices rise as Thanksgiving gets closer. Children 18 and under run the Turkey Day 5K for free, and six of the trots have a short kids' race.
Checked November 2, 2026. Not published yet: the Woodbury Wobble's packet pickup times, the Drumstick Dash's 2026 packet pickup, and the Tonka Turkey Trot's online registration, which its race page called "coming soon"; its fee table gives no year.
Turkey trots in Minneapolis–St. Paul 2026 at a glance
| Turkey trot | Where | Distances | Start, Nov. 26 | Adult price, Nov. 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Day 5K | Downtown Minneapolis | 5K | 8 a.m. | $64.31; 18 and under free |
| Drumstick Dash | Lake Harriet, Minneapolis | 10K, 3.14 miles, 1 mile, kids' half mile | 10K and Pi Run 8 a.m. (mile 7:30) | $54 without a shirt |
| Turkey Trot St. Paul | Upper Landing Park, St. Paul | 6K run or walk, 10K | 10K 7:30, 6K 8 a.m. | $51.43 (6K), $58.75 (10K) |
| Turkey Day Trail Trot | Battle Creek Regional Park, St. Paul | 5K and 10K on trails, kids' 3K | 10K 8, 5K 9:30 a.m. | $55.25; 16 and under $39.35 |
| Tonka Turkey Trot | Minnetonka High School | 5K, kids' 100 meters | 5K 8:30 a.m. (kids 8) | $32 until Nov. 15 (sign-up not open yet) |
| Wayzata Turkey Trot | Wayzata High School, Plymouth | 5K | 8:30 a.m. | $38.10 |
| Maple Grove Turkey Trot | Central Park, Maple Grove | 5K | 8 a.m. | $48.70 |
| Chanhassen Turkey Trot | Chanhassen High School | 5K, kids' dash | 5K 9 a.m. (kids 8:45) | $49.99 |
| Woodbury Wobble | Colby Lake Park, Woodbury | 5K, kids' 1K | 5K 8:30 a.m. (kids 8) | $38.10 |
| Fast Before the Feast | White Bear Lake County Park | 5K, 10K, kids' half mile | 10K 8:10, 5K 8:30 a.m. | $60 (5K), $70 (10K); $20 less without a shirt |
| Fox Trot | Stillwater | 5K | 8:30 a.m. | $32.80 |
Prices are for one adult, with the sign-up site's fee, as each race listed them on November 2, 2026; Fast Before the Feast's are from its paper entry form. Two more Thanksgiving 5Ks run farther out, in Otsego and Albertville (see below).
When do turkey trot prices go up?
Turkey trot prices in Minneapolis–St. Paul rise in steps before Thanksgiving, and nine of the eleven races in this guide have a price change between November 6 and race day. These are the next steps after November 2, 2026, with fees:
- Turkey Day 5K: $64.31 until Thursday, November 19; $69.76 from Friday, November 20.
- Turkey Trot St. Paul: $51.43 (6K) and $58.75 (10K) until Friday, November 6; $53.52 and $60.84 from Saturday, November 7.
- Woodbury Wobble: $38.10 until Thursday, November 5; $43.40 from Friday, November 6; $48.70 on race day.
- Fast Before the Feast: $60 for the 5K and $70 for the 10K until Thursday, November 12; $70 and $80 from Friday, November 13; $80 and $90 on race day.
- Tonka Turkey Trot: $32 until Sunday, November 15; $35 from Monday, November 16; $37 at packet pickup and on race morning.
- Wayzata Turkey Trot: $38.10 until Tuesday, November 17; $43.40 from Wednesday, November 18; $48.70 on November 25 and race morning.
- Fox Trot: $32.80 until Saturday, November 21; $38.10 after that.
- Chanhassen Turkey Trot: $49.99 until Sunday, November 22; $64.99 from Monday, November 23.
- Turkey Day Trail Trot: $55.25 until Wednesday, November 25; $60.55 on race day.
The Drumstick Dash keeps one price, $54 with the fee for the 10K or the Pi Run without a shirt, until online registration closes on Tuesday, November 24. The Maple Grove Turkey Trot costs $48.70 until Tuesday, November 24.
Turkey trots in Minneapolis
Turkey Day 5K, downtown Minneapolis
The Turkey Day 5K starts at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026 on South 4th Street by The Commons, near U.S. Bank Stadium, and its 3.1-mile course runs along the Mississippi past the Stone Arch Bridge and finishes beside the start, according to the course map of the organizer, Twin Cities In Motion.
- Kids: everyone 18 and under runs free and gets the same as adults.
- Walkers: a Walker Wave at the start is for people who walk the whole course, and strollers are welcome.
- Packet pickup: Saturday, November 21 (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) and Sunday, November 22 (11 a.m.–5 p.m.) at Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka and the Summit Ratskeller in St. Paul; Wednesday, November 25 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) and race morning from 6:30 a.m. at the Viking Longhouse, 530 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis.
- No age-group awards: Twin Cities In Motion calls it a community holiday event.
Drumstick Dash, Lake Harriet
The Drumstick Dash is a set of four Thanksgiving races at Lake Harriet in south Minneapolis on Thursday, November 26, 2026, starting by the Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway, according to its registration page.
- Drumstick Dash 10K (two laps of the lake) and Pi Run (one lap, 3.14 miles) at 8 a.m., both chip-timed: a long-sleeve shirt adds $10 and a sweatshirt $25 to the $54 entry without a shirt. The two races together take at most 850 runners.
- Cranberry Cruise Mile and Cranberry Kids Half Mile at 7:30 a.m.: $10, or $20 with a winter beanie. Strollers are allowed in the mile; every child in the half mile gets a medal, and parents run with their kids for free.
The race's own site, drumstickdash10k.com, names Mile in My Shoes, a running group for people experiencing homelessness, as its charity partner.
Turkey trots in St. Paul
Turkey Trot St. Paul, Upper Landing Park
Turkey Trot St. Paul, in its tenth year, starts at Upper Landing Park on the Mississippi, just west of downtown St. Paul, on Thursday, November 26, 2026: the 10K at 7:30 a.m. and the 6K, which you can run or walk, at 8 a.m., according to its Race Roster page.
- Shirt and medal: every entry includes a tech shirt and a finisher medal.
- Bibs: by mail to your door, or at Rosedale mall in Roseville from November 20 to 25, noon to 7 p.m. each day. There is no bib pickup on race day unless you bought Will Call, and no bag drop, according to the race's race-day page.
- Parking: the organizer recommends the RiverCentre and Science Museum ramps on Kellogg Boulevard, $5 each (the RiverCentre ramp takes cards only). There is no parking on Spring Street south of Shepard Road or on the street in Irvine Park.
- Charity: the race raises money for the Open Door, a food shelf.
Turkey Day Trail Trot, Battle Creek
The Turkey Day Trail Trot runs on the trails on the east side of Battle Creek Regional Park, 2350 Upper Afton Road, St. Paul, on Thursday, November 26, 2026: the 10K at 8 a.m., and the 5K and a 3K kids' run at 9:30 a.m., according to its registration page.
- Course: a 5K double loop with a few hard hills, on paved trail and cross-country ski trails.
- Price with fees from November 2: $55.25 for the 5K or 10K, $39.35 for runners 16 and under or 70 and over, and $23.45 for the kids' 3K; each goes up on race day (see above).
- Every runner gets a long-sleeve shirt.
Turkey trots in the west suburbs
Four turkey trots run in the west suburbs of Minneapolis on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026: in Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove and Chanhassen.
Tonka Turkey Trot, Minnetonka
The 16th Tonka Turkey Trot starts on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, at 8:30 a.m. at Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7. The 100-meter Turkey Scoot for kids ($5) runs at 8 a.m. in the Tonka Dome.
Packet pickup is on Wednesday, November 25 (4–7 p.m.) and race morning (7–8 a.m.). There are no extra fees, no refunds and no dogs; the proceeds go to Minnetonka's track and cross-country teams.
Wayzata Turkey Trot, Plymouth
The second Wayzata Turkey Trot starts on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, at 8:30 a.m. next to the stadium at Wayzata High School, 4955 Peony Lane North, Plymouth. Every runner gets a stocking cap.
Maple Grove Turkey Trot
The third Maple Grove Turkey Trot starts on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, at 8 a.m. near the Phenow Pavilion in Maple Grove's Central Park and loops around Arbor Lake. Every runner gets a winter hat; there are no refunds, dogs or race-day entries.
Chanhassen Turkey Trot
The Chanhassen Turkey Trot starts on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, at 9 a.m. at Chanhassen High School, 2200 Lyman Boulevard, after a free Kids Dash for children 8 and under at 8:45 a.m. Every finisher gets a doughnut, and the course closes after 1 hour 20 minutes.
Packets are mailed to you for $17 or handed out on Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25 (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) at Dick's Sporting Goods, 12437 Wayzata Boulevard, Minnetonka, never on race day.
Turkey trots in the east suburbs
Three turkey trots run in the east suburbs of St. Paul on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026: in Woodbury, White Bear Lake and Stillwater.
Woodbury Wobble
The Woodbury Wobble 5K starts on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, at 8:30 a.m. at Colby Lake Park, 9715 Valley Creek Road, after the Little Wobbler 1K for kids at 8 a.m. ($10).
Children 12 and under who want a bib and a time pay $12 for the 5K; a child riding in a stroller runs free. The first 100 runners get a knit hat. The race takes no cash: on race morning you sign up with your phone through a QR code and pay by card.
Fast Before the Feast, White Bear Lake
Fast Before the Feast at White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Avenue, starts the 10K on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, at 8:10 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m. and the half-mile Turkey Dash for kids at 8:35 a.m.
Packets are handed out on race morning only, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Parking is free, leashed dogs and strollers are welcome, and every finisher gets a medal.
Fox Trot, Stillwater
The Fox Trot Thanksgiving 5K starts on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, at 8:30 a.m. at 115 4th Street North in Stillwater, and a pie raffle follows the race.
Turkey trots with kids' races
Six of the eleven turkey trots in this guide have a short race for children on Thanksgiving morning 2026, and the Turkey Day 5K lets everyone 18 and under run the full 5K for free.
| Turkey trot | Kids' race | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Day 5K | The full 5K, 18 and under | Free |
| Chanhassen Turkey Trot | Kids Dash, 8 and under, 8:45 a.m. | Free; the 5K for 11 and under $14.99 |
| Tonka Turkey Trot | Turkey Scoot, 100 meters indoors, 8 a.m. | $5 |
| Drumstick Dash | Cranberry Kids Half Mile, 7:30 a.m. | $10 plus fee; parents free |
| Woodbury Wobble | Little Wobbler 1K, 8 a.m. | $10 plus fee |
| Fast Before the Feast | Turkey Dash, half mile, 8:35 a.m. | $15 until Nov. 12, $20 from Nov. 13; a parent running along $10 |
| Turkey Day Trail Trot | 3K kids' run, 9:30 a.m. | $23.45 with fee |
| Wild Turkey Wattle (Otsego) | Kids 1.5K, 8:45 a.m. | $16.90 with fee |
Food drives and charities at Thanksgiving races
Most Twin Cities turkey trots in 2026 give part of their entry fees to a cause or collect donations at the start:
- Food shelves: Turkey Trot St. Paul raises money for the Open Door; Chanhassen for PROP; the Tonka Turkey Trot takes donations for the ICA Foodshelf when you register; the Woodbury Wobble collects canned food for Open Cupboard; Fast Before the Feast gives part of its proceeds to local food shelves.
- Clothing and shoes: the Fox Trot collects used running shoes and athletic clothes for Valley Outreach, and the Wild Turkey Wattle in Otsego fills a truck with food and winter clothing for CAER, its local food shelf.
- Running and school sports: the Drumstick Dash supports Mile in My Shoes; the Tonka and Albertville races raise money for their schools' running teams, and the Wayzata race is run by the Wayzata Athletics Boosters.
Can you walk a turkey trot, or bring a stroller or a dog?
Yes, walkers are welcome at the Twin Cities turkey trots that say so: the Turkey Day 5K has its own Walker Wave, Turkey Trot St. Paul has a 6K walk, the Tonka and Wayzata trots invite runners and walkers of all abilities, and Chanhassen's 5K is a run or walk with a course limit of 1 hour 20 minutes. Rules for strollers and dogs differ by race:
- Strollers welcome: the Turkey Day 5K, Fast Before the Feast, the Woodbury Wobble and the Drumstick Dash's mile.
- Strollers at the back: Chanhassen allows them for walkers and joggers who start at the back; the Tonka Turkey Trot advises against them and asks you to line up at the very back.
- Dogs: Fast Before the Feast allows leashed dogs; the Tonka, Maple Grove and Chanhassen trots allow none.
Tonka and Chanhassen run in rain or snow. Tonka cancels only when the National Weather Service or MnDOT advise against travel.
Getting to a turkey trot: parking and transit
- Downtown Minneapolis: street meters are free on Thanksgiving morning, but downtown ramps are not. Turkey Day 5K runners and volunteers ride Metro Transit for free from 4 a.m. to noon with a pass from the race's survey, and the start is a short walk from the U.S. Bank Stadium light rail station.
- Downtown St. Paul: $5 at the RiverCentre and Science Museum ramps for Turkey Trot St. Paul.
- Suburbs: the school and park races have their own lots. Tonka asks runners to park on the west side of the high school; the Woodbury Wobble has two lots at Colby Lake Park and overflow at Valley Crossing Elementary; Chanhassen has overflow parking across the street, at 340 Lake Hazeltine Drive in Chaska.
More Thanksgiving races near the Twin Cities
- Wild Turkey Wattle, Otsego: a paved 5K by the river at Otsego Regional Park at 8 a.m., hosted by the Elk River, Rogers and Zimmerman Nordic ski teams for the 14th time; $38.10 with the fee for 13 and up and $27.50 for 12 and under until November 24, and race-day entry is possible.
- STMA Turkey Day 5K, Albertville: a 5K at 8 a.m. at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, hosted by the school's cross-country teams; $27.50 with the fee until Friday, November 6 ($22.20 for 18 and under), then $32.80 until November 25; race-day sign-up from 7:15 to 7:50 a.m.
- Turkey Trails St. Paul, Como Regional Park: a Thanksgiving-themed race on Saturday, November 7, 2026, before the holiday, with a 1 mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon and kids' dash, all at 8 a.m.
Quick answers
When is the Turkey Day 5K in 2026? The Turkey Day 5K is on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2026, at 8 a.m. on South 4th Street by The Commons in downtown Minneapolis; it costs $64.31 with fees until November 19, and kids 18 and under run free.
Is there a turkey trot at Lake Harriet? Yes: the Drumstick Dash at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis has a 10K (two laps) and the 3.14-mile Pi Run (one lap) at 8 a.m., and a 1-mile run and a kids' half mile at 7:30 a.m., on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Where is the St. Paul turkey trot? Turkey Trot St. Paul starts at Upper Landing Park on the Mississippi in downtown St. Paul, the 10K at 7:30 a.m. and the 6K at 8 a.m.; the Turkey Day Trail Trot runs at Battle Creek Regional Park on the city's east side.
How much does a turkey trot cost in Minneapolis? An adult entry for a Twin Cities turkey trot costs about $32.80 to $70 with fees in early November 2026, from the Fox Trot's $32.80 to Fast Before the Feast's $70 10K ($32.80 to $65 for a 5K), and most prices go up in the last weeks before Thanksgiving. The Tonka Turkey Trot lists $32, but its sign-up was not open on November 2.
How long is a turkey trot? Most Twin Cities turkey trots are 5K (3.1 miles); four of them also have a 10K (the Drumstick Dash, Turkey Trot St. Paul, the Turkey Day Trail Trot and Fast Before the Feast), and Turkey Trot St. Paul's shorter race is a 6K.
Can I sign up for a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning? Yes, at the Tonka Turkey Trot ($37), Fast Before the Feast (cash or check), the Turkey Day Trail Trot, the Wayzata Turkey Trot, the Woodbury Wobble (by phone and card), the Wild Turkey Wattle and the STMA Turkey Day 5K. Maple Grove takes no race-day entries, Chanhassen hands out no packets on race day, and Turkey Trot St. Paul gives out race-morning bibs only to runners who bought Will Call.
Which turkey trots are free for kids? The Turkey Day 5K is free for everyone 18 and under, and the Chanhassen Turkey Trot's Kids Dash for children 8 and under is free; at the Drumstick Dash, parents run the kids' half mile with their children at no cost.
After the race, the restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner and what is open on Thursday, November 26 are in Thanksgiving in Minneapolis–St. Paul 2026.
The Christmas markets in Minneapolis and St. Paul open the Friday before Thanksgiving: see Christmas events in Minneapolis–St. Paul 2026.
Cover photo: runners at the 2021 Des Moines Turkey Trot, Phil Roeder, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; illustrative photo.