The Des Moines Turkey Trot
The Des Moines Turkey Trot is a running race on November 26, 2026 in Des Moines, IA, with entry fees from $15 to $150.
- Date
- November 26, 2026 (118 days to go)
- Location
- 208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA
- Price
- $15–$150
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
Named as one of the "Top Turkey Trots In The Country" by Runners World Magazine, the Des Moines Turkey Trot is Iowa's largest Thanksgiving Day Tradition.
The run is like a highlight reel of Des Moines so get ready to experience downtown Des Moines, or show it off to your visiting family and friends, while burning off some holiday carbs.
Athletes will start their Thanksgiving run with the Des Moines Courthouse as their backdrop in the heart of the Court Ave Entertainment District. From there, both 5K and 5-mile runners will make their way across the Des Moines River and through the center of the Historic East Village. A slight uphill will run athletes around the whole of the State Capitol Complex which offers the most famous view of downtown Des Moines. From there, it's downhill for home!
5 Mile Athletes will finish their holiday "tour" with a scenic jaunt to the Botanical Center before returning across the Women's Achievement Bridge and finishing by running through the heart of downtown.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
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
43°
Typical Low
26°
Chance of Rain
26%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Des Moines Intl Ap, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Des Moines, IA
City Elevation
929 ft
Nearest Airport
DSM
Des Moines International Airport · 9 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at The Des Moines Turkey Trot, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
118
Days to train
- Race
- The Des Moines Turkey Trot
- Date
- November 26, 2026
- Location
- 208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA
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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.
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.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Des Moines, IA
Blue Believers
1 Mile · 5K · From $5 · 1 line Drive
Less than a mile away
Midwest Greater Des Moines Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
1 Mile · 5K · 10K · Half Marathon · From $20 · 420 Court Ave
Less than a mile away
IMT Des Moines Marathon - Early Bird
1 Mile · 5K · 10K · Half Marathon · Marathon · From $20 · 400 Court Ave
Less than a mile away
IMT Des Moines Marathon
1 Mile · 5K · 10K · Half Marathon · Marathon · From $37 · 200 SE 2nd St.
Less than a mile away
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Des Moines than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to Des MoinesFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The Des Moines Turkey Trot
Nov 26, 2026