Fam Turkey Trot
About this race
The FAM Turkey Trot has been a tradition for many families since 2012. It is a family friendly way to kick off your Thanksgiving, whether you're a competitive runner or want walk around the lake with your family. Teams can be set up in memory of a loved one, so that you can raise funds in their honor. Whether you are a family served by SHINE or just looking for a quick 5K to earn your Thanksgiving dinner, you’ll enjoy your morning at Raccoon River Park with other runners, joggers, and walkers. We can’t anticipate the weather, but we can guarantee a tradition for years to come!
In order to support the SHINE program at Blank Children’s Hospital, a raffle will also take place with tickets going on sale November 13th through race day. You do not need to be present to win. Visit our Facebook page to see a list of raffle items and enter for a chance to win.
Pick your distance
Running
5K Walk/Run
This event is built for runners and walkers who like friendly, low-pressure race days with just enough competition to keep things exciting. We are a local event supporting a local cause - the SHINE program at Blank Children's Hospital. The course will take you on a 3.1 mile loop around Blue Heron Lake at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines in any weather conditions. A quick race-day note: because this event is a small local race, EMS is not stationed on site, and water is limited to the finish area. Please plan for the weather and check in with race staff if you need help.
Out of Town Virtual Race
If you're looking to support the FAM Turkey Trot and the SHINE program but won't be in the Des Moines area, walk or run wherever you are while wearing this year's FAM Turkey Trot t -shirt. We'd love to have you join us virtually and see your photos on our Facebook page. We'll mail your shirt for a $5 fee in mid November. You can take your shirt on vacation or with family and support the SHINE program at Blank Children's Hospital. Shirts not guaranteed to be shipped before Thanksgiving if registering after November 10th. All Virtual participants' shirts will be mailed unless you've contacted the race at friendsofaaronmichael@yahoo.com
Race-day daylight
We have no recorded weather for West Des Moines yet, but sunrise and sunset follow from the venue and the date.
The sun rises at 7:16 AM and sets at 4:47 PM local time (CST) in West Des Moines on November 26, 2026 — 9h 30m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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Other races near West Des Moines
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Running With Straws 5k
17th Annual Iowa Remembrance Run
Monster Dash 5K & Lil' Monsters Fun Run
The Scheels - Folds OF Honor Iowa Ruck OF Remembrance
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in West Des Moines
Find upcoming events by distance:
- West Des Moines 5K Races 6 races
- 10K Run Events in West Des Moines 2 races
- West Des Moines Running Calendar 2026 6 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 7 West Des Moines events
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