Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
The Lowdown
The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is Dallas's Thanksgiving Day tradition, run through the heart of downtown from Dallas City Hall Plaza on Young Street. First held in 1967 and moved downtown in 1979, the event marked its 59th edition in 2026 and now draws more than 20,000 runners, walkers, and their dogs — the 2011 edition set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys, with 36,820 entries. Participants choose a flat, fast 8-Mile (12.9 km) or 5K (5 km) course, each offered as a chip-timed race with a dedicated corral start or an untimed run/walk starting shortly after. Strollers are welcome on both routes, and the first 750 leashed dogs to finish the 5K earn a finisher medal. The race is a rain-or-shine event, though lightning can shorten or cancel it. Proceeds support YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas programs across six North Texas counties, including swim safety, youth sports, and food distribution. Texas Health Resources presents the event and sponsors a free Couch to 5K training program for first-time participants.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Major marathon
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Dallas City Hall Plaza
Young Street
Downtown Dallas skyline
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Dallas, TX, United States
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Open to all ages and fitness levels; separate Youth (7-12), Tots/Toddlers, and Diaper Dash categories for children
Required Documents
- No photo ID required; participants pick up their bib in advance or register race-day (cash/card, subject to availability)
Entry Methods
- Online registration via RaceRoster
- In-person race-day registration 7:00-8:15 a.m.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Rain-or-shine event; the race may be shortened or canceled for lightning at the organizer's discretion; entry fees are generally non-refundable
First 750 leashed dogs to finish the 5K receive a finisher medal
The 2011 edition set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys, with 36,820 entries
Presented by Texas Health Resources, which also sponsors a free Couch to 5K training program at TrotWithTexasHealth.org
No general gear/bag check is available due to event size
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