Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot at Downtown Wilmington

WHAT
Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Turkey Trot at Downtown Wilmington!

Kick off your Thanksgiving with a morning of family, fitness, and fun all while helping Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity build a home! Join the festivities this Thanksgiving at Wrightsville Beach for the Turkey Trot. Come dress in your finest Turkey costume and support a great cause while enjoying a 5K or 1 Mile along the Cape Fear River in historic downtown Wilmington.

WHEN
Thursday, November 26, 2026 -- Thanksgiving Day!

START / FINISH LINE
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

DISTANCES OFFERED
1 Mile Run/Walk (Not Timed) 
5K Run/Walk (Timed) 
*You can run or walk either event.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
For the Schedule of Events, including Packet Pickup, click HERE

HOW TO REGISTER
Register Before the Race: Click on SIGN UP in the upper right corner
Register at Packet Pickup or At The Race:  To register in-person at at packet pickup or race morning, we will provide a QR code for you to register on your phone.  You can also register online from your phone or device up until the race starts.

PARKING
Parking will be available first-come, first-serve in any legal street parking spot or parking lot. Street Parking is free in downtown Wilmington on Thanksgiving.

COSTUME CONTEST

Best RACER Turkey Trot Costume
Racers do not forget to don your BEST Turkey Trot Costumes! No preregistration needed. Just listen to the announcements that morning.  Prizes will be awarded to the Best RACER Costume for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place.

Best PET Thanksgiving Costume
Although our furry friends are not allowed to race, they are welcome in the park at the start and finish area. Join our PET COSTUME PARTY! No preregistration needed. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Best PET Costume.

*Be sure to stop by the Costume Contest Tent for judging between 7:30am - 8:30am. Winners will be announced at 9:15am

HOW YOUR REGISTRATION HELPS
The Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot at Wrightsville Beach is an annual fundraiser for Cape Fear Habitat to build homes, communities, and hope in New Hanover, Pender, and Duplin Counties.

Last year, runners raised enough money to build a home for a neighbor in our community. Your family's Thanksgiving tradition at the Turkey Trot brings more families to the table. Thank you for building with us! 

Join fellow runners on November 26, 2026 for the Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot at Downtown Wilmington. It's a fantastic 5K, 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Wilmington.