The Des Moines Turkey Trot
About this race
Named as one of the "Top Turkey Trots In The Country" by Runners World Magazine, the Des Moines Turkey Trot is Iowa's largest Thanksgiving Day Tradition.
The run is like a highlight reel of Des Moines so get ready to experience downtown Des Moines, or show it off to your visiting family and friends, while burning off some holiday carbs.
Athletes will start their Thanksgiving run with the Des Moines Courthouse as their backdrop in the heart of the Court Ave Entertainment District. From there, both 5K and 5-mile runners will make their way across the Des Moines River and through the center of the Historic East Village. A slight uphill will run athletes around the whole of the State Capitol Complex which offers the most famous view of downtown Des Moines. From there, it's downhill for home!
5 Mile Athletes will finish their holiday "tour" with a scenic jaunt to the Botanical Center before returning across the Women's Achievement Bridge and finishing by running through the heart of downtown.
Join fellow runners on November 26, 2026 for the The Des Moines Turkey Trot. It's a fantastic 5K, Des Moines Turkey Trot - Tot Trot featuring a flat and fast course in Des Moines.
Pick your distance
Running
The Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K + 5 Mile
Athletes will start their Thanksgiving run with the Des Moines Courthouse as their backdrop in the heart of the Court Ave District. From there, both 5K and 5-mile runners will make their way across the Des Moines River and through the center of the Historic East Village. A slight uphill will run athletes around the whole of the State Capitol Complex which offers the most famous view of downtown Des Moines. From there, it's downhill for home! Approximately 2.5 miles into the race, runners are presented with the option to complete the 5K course or continue on for the 5-mile course. Athletes times and results are automatically updated based on the route they complete.
Family of 4 Turkey Trot Entry
Des Moines Turkey Trot - Tot Trot
Virtual Des Moines Turkey Trot
Weather Overview
These values represent the 11-year monthly averages for November in Des Moines.
About Des Moines
The Des Moines Turkey Trot takes place in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The local timezone is America/Chicago.
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🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Des Moines
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Des Moines 5K Races Best Des Moines routes for beginners and speed work.
- 10K Run Events in Des Moines The most popular local distance in Iowa.
- Des Moines Half Marathons Top-rated 21.1K courses in the Des Moines area.
- Marathons in Des Moines Scenic 42.2K routes and Des Moines Boston qualifiers.
- Des Moines Running Calendar 2026 See all upcoming race dates.
Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.
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