High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K
- Date
- November 26, 2026
- Location
- Clawson-Burnley Park, Boone, NC
- Distance
- 5K Timed Race · 10K Timed Trail Race · Fun Run/Walk & more
From the Organizer
We are back on the Boone Greenway Trail for the 16th Annual High Country Turkey Trot! Choose from a 5K or 10K timed race or an untimed Fun Run/Walk.
Taking place on Thanksgiving morning, The High Country Turkey Trot is open to competitive runners, casual joggers, walkers, and fun runners. Far from just a race, the event is fun for the entire family and includes a live DJ, photo-staging area, costumes, and a picnic shed full of food and hot drinks.
NEW FOR 2026: We've updated the course route by reducing elevation gain and improving the terrain. That means less hill climbs and more stable footing! The 5K and 10K races will take you on a scenic trip over mixed terrain (gravel, grass, and paved) through the woods via The Greenway and Kennedy Trails. Official course map to be revealed soon!
The Fun Run/Walk will utilize all paved trails throughout the park - making it accessible to everyone, including leashed dogs, strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.
The High Country Turkey Trot offers prizes for top 3 Men's & Women's finishers in the 5k & 10k timed runs, Finisher Medals for all runners in the 5K and 10K timed runs, and custom High Country Turkey Trot T-Shirts for all entrants*.
All participants are asked to bring non-perishable boxes or canned food items!
The High Country Turkey Trot is LARGEST 5K & 10K in North Carolina's High Country. Join the fun on Thanksgiving morning 2026!
START TIME
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10K Timed Race Start Time: 8:50
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5K Timed Race Start Time: 9:00
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Fun Run/Walk Start Time: 9:10
ROUTE TERRAIN
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INTERACTIVE COURSE MAPS: CLICK HERE
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5K & 10K RACE: Greenway Trail + Path – partially paved, mostly grass and wooded trail/dirt.
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FUN RUN / WALK: Greenway Trail - 100% paved
AWARDS
All finishers will received a custom High Country Turkey Trot finisher medal!
Overall Winners: Top 3 overall men and women will receive custom HCTT swag and a Stick Boy Bread Co. pumpkin pie!
Age Groups: Top 3 in each age group will receive custom HCTT swag! Age groups are as follows: 9 & Under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
FIRST AID PROVIDED BY: Watauga Rescue, stationed at the start/finish line.
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
From Endurance Grid's Founder
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K?
- High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K is a running event held in Boone, NC. Learn more about the different endurance sports here.
- When and where is the High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K?
- Thursday, November 26, 2026 in Boone, NC at Clawson-Burnley Park, Boone, NC. Check the official event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K?
- Registration is handled through their official registration page. Confirm pricing, distances available, and sign up there.
High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K
Nov 26, 2026