Detroit Turkey Trot
The Lowdown
The Detroit Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning tradition organized by The Parade Company, the group behind America's Thanksgiving Parade. Held for the 44th consecutive year in 2026, it starts and finishes at Huntington Place (formerly Cobo Center) in downtown Detroit, drawing thousands of costumed runners and walkers who form what organizers call "the parade before the parade," cheered on by the largest spectator crowd in Michigan for a running event. The headline 10K starts at 7:30 a.m. alongside the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mashed Potato Mile, followed by the Stuffing Strut 5K at 8:30 a.m. The 10K has carried the Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3) title sponsorship for many years; the race is tracked here under its neutral, sponsor-independent name since staffing-company title sponsors can change year to year. Advance packet pickup runs November 14-21, 2026, with additional pickup at Huntington Place on November 25 and race morning. Strollers are welcome in the rear corrals, but pets and bikes are not permitted on course. Finishers wrap up in time to watch America's Thanksgiving Parade, which steps off later that morning through the same downtown streets.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Major marathon
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Legendary crowd support
Huntington Place (Cobo Center)
Downtown Detroit
Detroit River waterfront
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Detroit, Michigan, United States
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- No minimum age; young children asked to be accompanied by an adult
- Strollers permitted only in rear/slower corrals; no pets or bikes on course
Required Documents
- Photo ID for in-person packet pickup
Entry Methods
- Online registration via RunSignUp / theparade.org
- No race-day registration; advance registration and packet pickup required
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entries are generally non-refundable and non-transferable per event policy; confirm current terms on the official registration page
44th annual running in 2026, making it one of the longest-running Thanksgiving Day races in the country
Immediately precedes America's Thanksgiving Parade, presented by Gardner White, through the same downtown Detroit streets
Organized by The Parade Company, a Detroit nonprofit
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
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