Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot

WHAT
Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Turkey Trot.  Your favorite Turkey Trot is moving from Wrightsville Beach to Downtown Wilmington due to construction.

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
*New Location for 2026.
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! 

Learn more about joining the mission as a sponsor for the 2025 Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Turkey Trot! 

BEST Turkey Trot Costume Contest

Racers do not forget to don your BEST Turkey Trot Costumes! No preregistration needed. Just listen to the announcements that morning. 

Best RACER Costume
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd

PET Thanksgiving Theme Costume Contest

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. Just listen to the announcements that morning.

Best PET Costume
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Costume Contest Prizes

$50 | $100 gift | $150 Gift Cards from K9 Resorts, plus gifts from Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming!

Costume Contest Judging

Be sure to visit the Costume Judging Tent from 7:30am - 8:30am for judging. Winners will be announced at 9:15am.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2026

PRE-RACE PACKET PICKUP

Location: TBD

Pre-Race Packet Pickup: 11:00 am - 5:00 PM

Can't get to Pre-Race Packet Pickup? No worries!  Family or a friend can pick it up for you.  Packets can be picked up an hour before the race as well.  However, we strongly encourage you to get your packet at Pre-Race Packet Pickup to avoid long race day lines and added stress.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2026 - Race Day
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

6:45 AM - Packet Pickup 
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM - Costume Contest Judging 
 *Must visit Costume Contest Tent to be eligible for award
7:50 AM - 1 Mile Registration Closes
8:00 AM - 1 Mile Starts
8:15 AM - 5K Registration Closes
8:30 AM - 5K Starts
9:15 AM - Costume Contest Awards
9:30 AM - 5K Age Group Awards

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

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

If you’re not interested in participating in the 5K or 1-Mile Turkey Trot races, there are other ways to get involved – including volunteering! There are a variety of opportunities available on Thanksgiving morning to support the Turkey Trot. Packet Pickup will be Wednesday, November 26th from 11:00-5:00pm, and day-of registration opens at 6:45 on Thanksgiving Day. Opportunities include:

• Volunteer Check-In & Event Information volunteers will be serving the servers. Get there ahead of time to make sure volunteers know where they’re supposed to be and when, in the appropriate attire.
  
  
• Registration volunteers sign up to check-in racers the day before and day of the race, making sure they pick up their race packets and are all set for the big event.
  
  
• Merch Tent volunteers are responsible for helping race participants that want a little something extra to commemorate the occasion. You could be pulling pieces and checking sizes or checking shoppers out.
  
  
• Course Monitors will be placed along the 5K and 1-Mile racecourses to ensure participants are safe and running in the right direction. You may be asked for directions—just point them toward the finish line!
  
  
• Race Water Station volunteers will be placed along the 5K and 1-Mile racecourses to ensure runners are hydrated. Encourage racers to take a break and a cup of H2O!
  
  
• Post-Race Snacks and Water volunteers will be available as runners are wrapping up their run; you’ll be available to pass out snacks and water to make sure they’re recovering from their big run. Think of it as a pre-Thanksgiving meal meal!
  
  
• Trailers and Leads will be at the front and back of the race to ensure no man is left behind and will communicate with course monitors to ensure all runners are running (or walking).
  
  
• Costume Contest Tent volunteers will potentially have the most fun (though this is a great time all around!). Help take photos, mark the scoring sheets, and manage the judging.

All volunteers will help with cleanup at the end of the race. As we all know, the more hands you have, the less time it takes! Expect to be at the course until 10:30-11:00a.m., or until the truck is packed.

Questions? Contact our Volunteer Program Manager: vpm@capefearhabitat.org

For Adults: Click HERE

For Children 18 Years and Under:  Click HERE