North Shore Turkey Trot
The Lowdown
The North Shore Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Highland Park, Illinois, drawing runners and walkers to the city's North Shore neighborhoods for a 5K, a 10K, and a Kids' Trot. First run in 1978, the event has grown into one of the largest Thanksgiving Day races in the Chicago area, with roughly 4,000 participants in recent editions. Both the 5K and the 10K start at 8:00 a.m. from St. Johns Ave. and Central Ave. in downtown Highland Park, following two USATF-certified, single-loop courses closed to traffic that pass the Ravine, the Lake Michigan lakefront, and the downtown district before finishing at St. Johns Ave. and Elm. The Kids' Trot starts later at 10:00 a.m., with age-group waves for 2-4, 5-6, and 7-10 year-olds. Registered 5K and 10K runners receive an exclusive knit hoodie and a Thanksgiving-themed finisher's medal, plus free finisher photos; a virtual option is also offered. Afterward, the Turkey Trot Tailgate serves warm apple cider and pie with live music and games. A portion of race proceeds benefits the Highland Park Community Foundation.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
The Ravine
Lake Michigan lakefront
Downtown Highland Park district
St. Johns Ave. and Central Ave. (start)
St. Johns Ave. and Elm (finish)
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Highland Park, Illinois, United States
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- 5K and 10K: no published minimum age; family-friendly, walkers welcome
- Kids' Trot: separate age-group waves for 2-4, 5-6, and 7-10 year-olds
- Course cutoff at Sheridan Rd. & Vine, 9:08 a.m. (5K route)
- Course cutoff at Walker Ave. & Patten Rd., 9:28 a.m. (10K route)
Required Documents
- Registered race bib, worn visibly on course
Entry Methods
- Online registration via northshoreturkeytrot.com
- Virtual participation option available for those not attending in person
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Registration fees are generally non-refundable for Thanksgiving Day charity-adjacent turkey trots of this type; no explicit refund policy was published on the fetched official pages
Founded in 1978; grew into one of the largest Thanksgiving Day races in the Chicago area, with roughly 4,000 participants in the 2022 running
A portion of race proceeds benefits the Highland Park Community Foundation
Two USATF-certified single-loop courses, closed to traffic, with aid stations throughout
5K and 10K runners receive an exclusive soft knit hoodie; Kids' Trot participants receive a cotton t-shirt
Post-race Turkey Trot Tailgate features warm apple cider, pie, live music, and games
Downtown Highland Park offers street parking and public garages; private lots are off-limits to race parking
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