Bare Bones Turkey Trot

Join us for THANKSGIVING AT THE Y! 

Bring your family, invite your friends, and make this event the kickoff to all of the Thanksgiving traditions. This is a non-competitive road run with one self-service water station. No results will be recorded for this event. **Race Day Route Options: 5 mile or 3 mile route!

Register before Oct. 30 to guarantee a long-sleeved technical race shirt – Registrations received after Oct. 31 will receive shirts on a first come, first serve basis, while supplies last.

The routes take runners through the Mattoon Lightworks display at Peterson Park before sunrise. Turkey Trot & TONE- after the race, head inside the Y at either location for our Early Bird event, featuring energizing group fitness classes! It’s a chance to stretch, move, and connect before heading home to your holiday meal.

Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Registration Fee: $25 in advance/$30 on race day

Pre-Race/Post Race Celebration: Bock Gym beginning at 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. (family fun, games, photo opportunity, hot cocoa & refreshments) Join us post race for Early Bird Group Fitness Event as well!

Race Start time: 6 a.m.
Packet Pick-Up:
Mattoon Area Family YMCA

-Wednesday, November 25 from 5 a.m.-8 p.m.
-Thursday, November 26 from 5:00-5:45 a.m.

All race proceeds benefit the YMCA’s Membership for All program, which provides financial assistance to those in our community so that nobody is turned away due to an inability to pay. Registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable. For more information, call the Y at 217-234-9494.

Join fellow runners on November 26, 2026 for the Bare Bones Turkey Trot. It's a fantastic 8K featuring a flat and fast course in Mattoon.