The 'turkey trot,' a tradition since 1896, is more popular than ever

From 1978: Dallas Turkey Trot

Over 2,100 runners gathered at White Rock Lake for the annual Turkey Trot. Here's how it looked when KDFW Channel 4 News covered the event. Originally aired November 23, 1978.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hundreds of thousands of Americans hit the street again this morning, hoping to burn off a few calories before packing on the pounds later today. It’s the annual ‘turkey trot’ tradition and it goes back longer than you might think.

Turkey trot history

The first documented turkey trot took place in Buffalo, New York, all the way back in 1896. The local YMCA hosted an 8K race on that Thanksgiving. A whopping six people showed up, and only four finished.

But the race returned the next year and has been held every year since, with more and more cities getting on board. Costumes began to be a common sight at the events in the 1980s; today, most participants dress up in Thanksgiving gear when they hit the pavement.

From 1985: Aerobics vs. the Turkey Trot

The 1980s aerobics craze didn't take a holiday. WTTG Channel 5's Greg Coy found plenty of people looking for exercise, whether at the annual Turkey Trot or inside the local aerobics class. Originally aired November 28, 1985.

Turkey trots today

According to race website RunSignup, Thanksgiving is "the biggest U.S. running day of the year." Turkey trots continue to become more popular, especially after the pandemic. Last year saw the highest number of turkey trotters ever registered on the site, with almost 1 million runners across the country. RunSignup expected to top that number in 2024.

Some of those million runners participate for fun; others are doing it for charity as well.

By the numbers:

In 2023, RunSignup had a record 920,761 participants registered to participate in 833 races across the country, with more than $1.9 million raised for charity.
5K races were the most popular, with 84% of races including a 5K option. The next most popular distance was 1 mile, offered by 19% of races.
The Buffalo Niagara YMCA’s Turkey Trot is older than San Francisco’s Bay to Breakers, which began in 1912, and even the Boston Marathon, which began in 1897.
The number of participants in the Buffalo race first topped 10,000 in 2008. It’s now capped at 14,000, making it the fourth-largest turkey trot in the country by a Runner’s World tally.
The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot bills itself as the largest single event with over 20,000 registrants expected to participate in person or virtually. Chicago’s Life Time Turkey Trot and California’s Dana Point Turkey Trot are some of the other large events.

File: Tom Turkey, a.k.a. 15-yr-old Ryland Harris of Laguna Beach, gives a high five near the finish line of the 5K run., part of the 26th Annual Ralphs Dana Point Turkey Trot on November 29, 2002. (Photo by Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty I

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What they’re saying:

Mike Baggerman, communications director at YMCA Buffalo Niagara, told the AP: "It’s more than just a fun 5-mile run on Thanksgiving Day. It’s something that helps the YMCA achieve its mission, which is to strengthen the western New York community. For Buffalo people to step up every single year and sell this race out at 14,000, it’s a miracle."

David Benjes, race director of the Louisville Turkey Trot in Louisville, Colorado, told Runner’s World: "Turkey trots are sort of symbolic of Thanksgiving. You get together with close friends and family and have a feel-good moment. Running a race provides that feel good moment for people in a unique way."

Marine Corps Marathon Turkey Trot finisher medals are staged at the finish line during the MCM Turkey Trot race at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Nov. 23, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

By any other name: While Buffalo coined the term "Turkey Trot," the races also go by other names: Gobble Wobbles, Drumstick Dashes, and Huffing for Stuffings.