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Chicago Turkey Trot

November 26, 2026 · 9:00 AMChicago, Illinois, United States

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Race snapshot

Race Day

36°F

34–43°F · Feels cold

Total elevation gain

49ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft

Participants

20K

Major marathon

Crowd Rating

8/ 10

Excellent spectator turnout

The Lowdown

The Chicago Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving Day tradition held along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Lincoln Park, with the start and finish on Cannon Drive just south of Diversey Parkway. Now organized by Life Time and presented by NOBULL as the Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago, the race returns for its 48th annual running on Thursday, November 26, 2026, with the 5K and 8K both starting at 9:00 a.m. on a flat, wheelchair-friendly lakefront course. A separate Plymouth Rock Ramble Kids Race starts later at 11:00 a.m. from the Diversey Harbor North parking lot. Finishers receive a long-sleeve tri-blend event shirt and medal, plus post-race food and hot beverages at the Turkey Day Tailgate, which features live music and family activities. The event benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository and has sold out in recent years, drawing tens of thousands of runners and walkers of all ages. Entry fees are non-refundable, though a one-time deferral to the following year is available through November 19, 2026 at 50% of the paid fee.

Minimum Age: 8 years
Entry Methods: Online registration via turkeytrotchicago.com/registration
Life Time members with 6+ months of Club-Access Membership get early registration access one week before general public registration
Eligibility: 5K and 8K: minimum age 8 by race day
Plymouth Rock Ramble Kids Race: separate, family-friendly, no adult 5K/8K bib required
Course is wheelchair-friendly and welcomes para-athletes
Required Documents: Registered race bib, worn visibly on course
Cancellation & Refund Policy: All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable
One-time deferral to the following year available through November 19, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CT) at 50% of the paid entry fee
Refund/free-deferral exceptions for active military with deployment orders and pregnant/postpartum participants with medical documentation
No refunds or changes permitted on transactions over 365 days old

01: 48th annual running in 2026; benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository
02: Currently organized by Life Time and presented by NOBULL as the 'Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago presented by NOBULL'; recorded here under the neutral common name since title/presenting sponsors have changed over the event's four-decade history
03: Has sold out in recent years (e.g., the 45th annual running in 2023)
04: Post-race Turkey Day Tailgate features live music, fall treats, and family activities
05: Cannon Drive closes to vehicle traffic at 5:00 a.m. on race morning

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