Glenwood Springs Turkey Day 5K & Fun Run

Turkey Day Races are BACK in Glenwood Springs!

Bring your friends & family, and join the fun at Veltus Park to revive this great local Thanksgiving tradition. Featuring views of the Roaring Fork River & Mount Sopris along the way for both the 5k race and the 2k fun run, there is a distance everyone will enjoy. Costumes are encouraged (but not mandatory)...it's more fun to run with a bunch of TURKEYS!! Be creative. Be grateful. Be kind.

See you at the race!

NEW COURSE for 2026! Both 5k Race (3.11 mi)  & 2k Fun Run (1.24 mi) courses will follow the Roaring Fork River from Veltus Park, enjoying beautiful views of Mount Sopris. Courses enjoy some of the "cruisiest" miles in the valley on stroller-friendly pavement!

• 5K RACE: Runners will travel out from Veltus park, making their way to the Rio Grande and Midland bike/pedestrian paths, crossing the Roaring Fork river twice before returning home. Course includes a short out-and-back section on the Rio Grande Trail to the 23rd street "lollipop" before completing the route back to Veltus Park.
• 2K FUN RUN: Fun Run participants will leave the park and travel along the Rio Grande Trail as an out-and-back distance to Glenwood Springs Elementary School, giving beautiful views and a chance to high-five lots of turkeys along the way! Both distances are paved & stroller-friendly. 

REGISTRATION FEES & RACE T-SHIRT ORDERS:

• 5K: Registration opens October 18, 2026 @ 8am, and closes November 25, 2026 @ 12pm.(in-person signup will reopen race morning) 
  • Online registration: $25/entry (ages 6+). 
  • Race Day registration (in-person only): $30/entry (ages 6+)
  • Racers 5 & under are free! These "Little Turkeys" will be untimed. If you wish for your Little Turkey to be receive an official time, please register them under the ages 6+ 5K race category.
• 2K: Registration opens October 18, 2026 @ 8am, and closes November 25, 2026 @ 12pm.(in-person signup will reopen race morning).
  • Online registration: $15/entry (ages 6+).
  • Race Day registration (in-person only): $20/entry (ages 6+)
  • Racers 5 & under are free! These "Little Turkeys" will be untimed. If you wish for your Little Turkey to be receive an official time, please register them under the ages 6+ 2K Fun Run category.
• T-SHIRT ORDERS: T-SHIRTS ARE AN OPTIONAL $15 UPGRADE WITH YOUR REGISTRATION!
  • YOU MUST REGISTER/ORDER BY NOVEMBER 15 TO GUARANTEE YOUR T-SHIRT SIZE.
  • Additional T-shirt purchases on race day will be limited to stock on hand.
  • See your registration page for adult & youth T-shirt size options

PLEASE NOTE: NO DOGS ALLOWED IN VELTUS PARK DURING THE EVENT. 

RACE CATEGORIES: This year's 5k race winners will receive homemade PIES as well as other great prizes! Podium finishes will be awarded for 5k masters (45+), adult (19-44), youth (13-19), and kids' (-12) divisions. All participants for both 5k and fun run will have the option of upgrading with a race t-shirt, AND all are invited to celebrate the finish line with pie, hot cocoa, & cider after the run! Donations accepted for spectator refreshments. Podium awards will take place just prior to the Fun Run.

PARKING:  Parking is limited at Veltus Park. We ask all participants to carpool & park in designated public 7th street parking, or in the lot provided at Defiance Fitness just east of 8th St bridge. Additional overflow parking is available at Glenwood Springs Elementary School. 

WHAT DOES THIS RACE SUPPORT? Proceeds will benefit the Roaring Fork Phoenix Youth programs, with additional support to Glenwood Springs Elementary School Parent Teacher Association! Not running? Donations will be accepted through the website to help fund great opportunities for both organizations!

Phoenix Youth is a faith based ministry sponsored by the Roaring Fork Methodist Churches. Phoenix Youth offers opportunities for positive growth opportunities & adventures for middle school & high school students across the valley. For the past 5 years, Phoenix Youth has grown to include students from Parachute to Basalt, offering support for young people of all backgrounds. The 2026 programs include Native American service missions for home repair, Front Range service in community gardens, sponsorship of the Lift UP Fall Food Drive, Senior High supper & book club, Middle School social outings, weekly coffee shop meetups, as well as weekend fall adventures, a winter hut trip retreat, & more! Proceeds will fund 2026 and 2027 youth projects. 

New for 2026! One dollar for every paid entry, and 10% of all additional donations will be given to the Glenwood Springs Elementary School Parent Teacher Association. The GSES PTA connects students, parents, and teachers in fun & meaningful ways, adding meaning and fun to the education experience! We are proud and grateful partners to our school colleagues & families.

For course maps & more information about the race, as well as to learn about Phoenix Youth & Roaring Fork Churches, visit www.roaringforkchurch.org