
From the Organizer
Come join us for the 2026 Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26th at 9:00 am. The race starts and finishes next to Albemarle High School and features a neighborhood course with flat stretches and gentle rolling hills, totaling 133 feet of elevation gain. Ample parking will be available at Albemarle High School, Journey Middle School, and Greer Elementary.
The race proudly supports two local beneficiaries: the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, both of which provide critical food resources to individuals and families in need. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank serves Central Virginia and is an affiliate of the national organization Feeding America. Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, located directly on the race route, is the largest distributor of food from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in the Charlottesville area and provides free groceries to families and individuals up to two times per month, with nearly one-third of households visiting twice monthly.
Race registration is $35 beginning Sept. 1. Registration includes a soft technical race t-shirt that’s comfortable for running or everyday wear while supplies last. Sign up by October 26 to guarantee a race shirt.
Participants may register as individual runners or form a team with coworkers, family, neighbors, or sports teammates. Teams compete for the four fastest cumulative times and year-long bragging rights.
We extend our thanks to Blue Ridge Timing for providing chip timing for the course and Connect Church for hosting packet pickup.
No race refunds or deferrals.
No dogs on the race course.
Strollers are permitted only in the last wave—no exceptions. If stroller participants do not start in the final wave, this option will not be offered in future races.
Local Albemarle EMT medical services will be on site. We are grateful for their volunteer support and for all who help ensure a safe and enjoyable race experience.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, partners, and volunteers for their dedication and care in bringing the community together through the Charlottesville Turkey Trot. We truly couldn’t do it without you.
PACKET PICKUP:
Tuesday, Nov. 24 (3-6pm) at Connect Church, 2080 Lambs Rd, (across from Albemarle High School).
Wednesday, Nov. 25 (1-5pm) at Connect Church, 2080 Lambs Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901
RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP Avoid race morning lines by picking up your packet on Tuesday (3-6pm) or Wednesday (1-5pm) at Connect Church. If you need to pick up your race packet on race morning it will be open from 7:45am-8:30am at the race venue at Albemarle High School's main track entrance.
LATE REGISTRATION: Wed., Nov 25, 6pm thru Thurs., Nov. 26th 8:30am. Late registration price increases to $48. We recommend registering online before arriving at Packet Pickup to make your check-in faster.
VIRTUAL OPTION AVAILABLE
Run your Turkey Trot 5k anywhere between 11/26/2025-11/29/2025 until 5:00pm. Sign up by Oct 26 to guarantee a t-shirt in your size.
Race Updates: Like our Facebook page at CvilleTurkeyTrot and stay tuned to your race emails for any updates, changes or additional packet pickup instructions.
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
54°
Typical Low
36°
Chance of Rain
29%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Charlottesville 2w, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
Elevation
480 ft
Nearest Airport
CHO
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport · 7 mi
Major Hub
RIC
Richmond International Airport · 74 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
171
Days to train
Coming Up
OH!lly Trail 5K
Less than a mile away
CTC Marathon and Half-Marathon Training Program
Less than a mile away
Kiwanis Independence Day 5K
Less than a mile away
All-Comers Summer Track Meets
Less than a mile 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)
Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k
Nov 26, 2026