Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk
- Date
- November 26, 2026
- Distance
- Individual 5K Run · Individual 10K Run · Untimed- Individual 5K Walk & more
From the Organizer
Join us for Madison’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition — the Birdie Derby 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk! Experience the premier Thanksgiving Day race, known for its energy, community spirit, and top-notch race day experience.
What your registration includes:
- Official Race Bib
- Birdie Derby Long-Sleeved Shirt OR Lightweight tech hoodie
- Knit hat!
- KWIK TRIP GLAZER!
- Chocolate milk, banana, water
- Yahara Chocolate
- Birdie Derby Village unlike any other (fun for all)
- Free Oasis Cafe coffee and hot chocolate before and after the race
- Free Race Photos
- Professional Race Timing by Sportstats on an accurately measured course
If you have a little one (2-6), they can participate in the Kids Dash, a great way to start the day! It is free with a paid adult registration.
Can't make it on race day, and you don't want to miss out on the tradition? Sign up for the virtual Birdie Derby!
What your virtual registration includes:
- Birdie Derby Long-Sleeved Shirt (OR crewneck upgrade)
- Winter hat!
*Your race packet will be mailed the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to the address submitted during registration. To update your address, please log in to your RunSignup account. You can pick up your packet during our normal Packet Pick-Up hours.
*Virtual participants do not qualify for any awards.
*Virtual participants are eligible to join in-person teams.
Any changes to registrations must be completed before Monday, November 23, 2026. No changes from in-person to virtual are accepted after this time.
Did you know that the Birdie Derby is the ONLY Thanksgiving race that donates 100% of proceeds? The Birdie Derby supports Active Youth Wisconsin (formerly Tri 4 Schools), a local organization creating accessible opportunities for kids to be active. Your participation funds financial aid for kids to receive shoes, bikes, swim lessons, and more, so they can participate in events and programs that help them recognize the mental and physical benefits of regular movement. Together, we're building a stronger, healthier community! Learn more about Active Youth Wisconsin here.
Race website: runthederby.com
Race Location:
Fitchburg Business Park
5200 E Cheryl Pkwy, Fitchburg WI 53711
Pre-Race Packet Pickup Schedule
November 24 - 12pm – 7pm
November 25 - 7am – 2pm
Perennial Yoga, 5500 E Cheryl Pkwy Suite 101, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Thanksgiving Day Race Schedule
8:00 am Kids Dash
8:30 am 10K Run Start
8:50 am 5K Run Start
9:00 am 5K Walk Start
Events
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
171
Days to train
- Race
- Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk
- Date
- November 26, 2026
Coming Up
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5K
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
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 Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk?
- Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk is a running race held in Fitchburg, Wisconsin on November 26, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk?
- Thursday, November 26, 2026 in Fitchburg, Wisconsin at 5200 Research Park Dr, Fitchburg, WI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk
Nov 26, 2026