
From the Organizer
Get your costumes ready and get your flock together to enjoy a beautiful Thanksgiving morning together. Walk, run, or strut 5k or 1 mile on a course through the beautiful Star Hill area and on the brand new Cape Carteret Trail!
This is NOT a timed event. It is just plain fun, family, and community. Flock Registration is a good way to get the whole family active on Thanksgiving morning, save some bucks, and burn calories for the rest of the day! Register as a flock, and your flock will be entered to win the best-dressed flock at the race!
The course is flat and fast 5k through Star Hill and NEW this year the 1 mile loop around the Cape Carteret Trail.
5k - https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/M3ilmIaEgZ
1mi - https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/jdnDllHLIg
The first 200 registered participants are guaranteed aTurkey Trot race shirt. Stay tuned for our shirt reveal, you know you love our shirts with our Turkey Trot race logo on the front and our local sponsors on the back. Don't worry, if we are out of your shirt size, you will receive a turkey trot medal!
This year's shirt has a special design that signifies our support for our new charity partner.
Pick-up will be available during staffed hours the week of the Turkey Trot.
As always the BIG, BLUE ARCH will be located at The GYM Cape Carteret Aquatic & Wellness 300 Taylor Notion Road Cape Carteret, NC 28584.
Registration will be open up until the race starts, but you can expect considerable price increases on Race Morning. ***Cash, check, or credit cards accepted***
Water and Aid Stations will be set up throughout the course.
Please be aware that parking was altered last year due to the construction of the new pickleball court. Only volunteers, vendors, staff, and first responders are to park in the gym parking lot. All participants and spectators are required to park at White Oak Elementary or the library next door to the gym. Deanna greatly appreciates your cooperation in a smooth parking operation on race morning. Let’s be safe out there!
Address: 555 W B McLean Dr, Cape Carteret, NC 28584
Parking here will require a walk from parking to the start/finish and back along a portion of the Cape Carteret Trail. This parking option will have the most spaces available.
Address: 230 Taylor Notion Rd, Cape Carteret, NC 28584
Parking at the library will be a much shorter walk, but has less spaces available. We have provided a map to the parking areas and start/finish for your convenience. If you need handicap parking, please contact Deanna McElmon directly and she will make arrangements for you.
The proceeds from this event will go directly to our chosen local charity partner, Easter Seals PORT Health EMPOWER in Morehead City, NC. Any donations made through this RunSignUp.com page will go directly to the charity partner. Click here for more information >>> Easter Seals PORT Health EMPOWER
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
63°
Typical Low
40°
Chance of Rain
36%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Newport/Morehead City Wfo, 12 mi from the venue.
Host City
Nearest Airport
EWN
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport · 26 mi
Major Hub
RDU
Raleigh-Durham International Airport · 127 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Cape Carteret Turkey Trot, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
162
Days to train
Coming Up
Middle School 3K Cross Country Race @ Fightertown XC (Register on NC Milesplit)
16 miles away
Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Swansboro, NC
4 miles away
2026 Marine Corps Half Marathon presented by FirstLight Home Care & USAA
17 miles away
Movin' Mullet 5k Run
4 miles away
From Endurance Grid
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.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
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)
Cape Carteret Turkey Trot
Nov 26, 2026