Iowa · 5 Mile · 5K · Tot Trot
The Des Moines Turkey Trot
The Des Moines Turkey Trot is a 5 Mile, 5K and Tot Trot event held in Des Moines, Iowa. Its next confirmed date is Thursday, November 26, 2026. About 15,000 runners take part across all distances.
- Race day
- November 26, 2026
- Location
- Des Moines, IA
- Field size
- ~15,000 runners
Race details
- Date
- Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Location
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Distances
- 5 Mile, 5K, Tot Trot
- Field size
- About 15,000 runners
- Course
- Flat
- Registration
- runsignup.com
- Official website
- desmoinesturkeytrot.com
Registration, course & weather
- Registration status
- Open
- Entry fee
- Listed fee for the longest distance, $46 (from desmoinesturkeytrot.com, checked October 2, 2026)
- Start time
- 9:00 AM CST
- Course profile — 5 Mile
- Loop course; Road surface
- Course profile — 5K
- Loop course; Road surface
- Typical race-day weather
- about 22°F at the start, 81% humidity, 5 mph wind (based on the 2025 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 2, 2026)
About the The Des Moines Turkey Trot
A Thanksgiving-morning 5K and 5-mile race that starts at the Polk County Courthouse in the Court Avenue district and runs across the Des Moines River through the Historic East Village.
Rankings and notes
- Rankings and awards
- Iowa's largest Thanksgiving Day tradition; named a 'Top Turkey Trot in the Country' and 'Top Trot' in Iowa by Runner's World five years running
More 5Ks in Iowa
Coming up next, by confirmed date.
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The Des Moines Turkey Trot: common questions
- When is the The Des Moines Turkey Trot?
- The next confirmed date is Thursday, November 26, 2026.
- Where is the The Des Moines Turkey Trot held?
- In Des Moines, Iowa.
- What distances does the The Des Moines Turkey Trot offer?
- 5 Mile, 5K and Tot Trot.
- How many people run the The Des Moines Turkey Trot?
- About 15,000 runners across all of its distances. That figure is an estimate of the field size, not an entry cap.
- How do I register for the The Des Moines Turkey Trot?
- Registration is handled by the organiser at runsignup.com. Entry fees, caps and deadlines are set there.
- Is registration open for the The Des Moines Turkey Trot?
- Yes — registration is open. Listed fee for the longest distance, $46 (from desmoinesturkeytrot.com, checked October 2, 2026).
- What time does the The Des Moines Turkey Trot start?
- 9:00 AM CST.
- What is race-day weather usually like at the The Des Moines Turkey Trot?
- about 22°F at the start, 81% humidity, 5 mph wind (based on the 2025 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 2, 2026).
Plan this race in RaceRove
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