Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k

Come join us for the 2026 Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26th at 9:00 am. The race starts and finishes next to Albemarle High School and features a neighborhood course with flat stretches and gentle rolling hills, totaling 133 feet of elevation gain. Ample parking will be available at Albemarle High School, Journey Middle School, and Greer Elementary.

The race proudly supports two local beneficiaries: the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, both of which provide critical food resources to individuals and families in need. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank serves Central Virginia and is an affiliate of the national organization Feeding America. Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, located directly on the race route, is the largest distributor of food from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in the Charlottesville area and provides free groceries to families and individuals up to two times per month, with nearly one-third of households visiting twice monthly.

Race registration is $35 beginning Sept. 1. Registration includes a soft technical race t-shirt that’s comfortable for running or everyday wear while supplies last. Sign up by October 26 to guarantee a race shirt.

Participants may register as individual runners or form a team with coworkers, family, neighbors, or sports teammates. Teams compete for the four fastest cumulative times and year-long bragging rights.

We extend our thanks to Blue Ridge Timing for providing chip timing for the course and Connect Church for hosting packet pickup.

No race refunds or deferrals.
No dogs on the race course.
Strollers are permitted only in the last wave—no exceptions. If stroller participants do not start in the final wave, this option will not be offered in future races.

Local Albemarle EMT medical services will be on site. We are grateful for their volunteer support and for all who help ensure a safe and enjoyable race experience.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, partners, and volunteers for their dedication and care in bringing the community together through the Charlottesville Turkey Trot. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

PACKET PICKUP:
Tuesday, Nov. 24 (3-6pm) at Connect Church, 2080 Lambs Rd, (across from Albemarle High School).

Wednesday, Nov. 25 (1-5pm) at Connect Church, 2080 Lambs Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901 

RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP Avoid race morning lines by picking up your packet on Tuesday (3-6pm) or Wednesday (1-5pm) at Connect Church. If you need to pick up your race packet on race morning it will be open from 7:45am-8:30am at the race venue at Albemarle High School's main track entrance.

LATE REGISTRATION: Wed., Nov 25, 6pm thru Thurs., Nov. 26th 8:30am. Late registration price increases to $48. We recommend registering online before arriving at Packet Pickup to make your check-in faster.

VIRTUAL OPTION AVAILABLE
Run your Turkey Trot 5k anywhere between 11/26/2025-11/29/2025 until 5:00pm. Sign up by Oct 26 to guarantee a t-shirt in your size. 

Race Updates: Like our Facebook page at CvilleTurkeyTrot and stay tuned to your race emails for any updates, changes or additional packet pickup instructions. 

The race director of this event is Kate Lucas, founder of the Earlysville Turkey Trot and multiple local multisport events. Kate, who is a local commercial & residential REALTOR® and triathlete, enjoys sharing her passion for racing as a way to bring the community together.

Can I switch from the Anywhere Virtual 5k event to the Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k Live event?
Absolutely! The following link explains how you can transfer events. 
How to transfer events:
https://help.runsignup.com/support/solutions/articles/17000062922-transfer-to-another-event
How to access your RunSignup profile:
https://help.runsignup.com/support/solutions/articles/17000062604-access-and-explore-your-profile

Where is my timing chip?
Thanks to our friends at Blue Ridge Timing, we have chip timing strips on the race numbers. Please wear your race number on the front side, outer layer of your clothing so it's visible and your chip time can be captured when you start and finish.

Are there awards?
Both the top 3 Overall and top 3 Age Group awards will be awarded at approximately 10:00 am race morning. Age groups are as follows: 10 & younger, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+. Please stick around for the awards since they will not be mailed. If you cannot stay, please see if someone else can pick it up on your behalf.

Should I bring my own water on the day of the race?
That would be very helpful but we will have water before the start and at the finish.

Safety is always our number one objective, then having fun. This year we will be hosting a Live 5k and Virtual 5k. Should we not be able to hold the Live 5k due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control, we will implement the virtual event for all participants. This would be a last-resort option.

Please stay tuned to your race emails for any updates, changes or additional packet pickup instructions. 

We can't wait to have you race with us and we look forward to seeing you in person or in virtual photos! Until then, train smart and stay safe!

Sincerely,

Kate Lucas - Race Director

Volunteer and receive a 50% race discount! Or recruit a volunteer on your behalf and receive a 50% discount off your race entry. Most volunteers find it fun and easy too.

We are seeking to fill a variety of volunteer positions including: packet pickup (Tues, Wed or Race AM), parking, course marshals, finish line help, assisting with water coolers or post-race clean up.

There are approximately 25 volunteers needed before and after the race. Sign up early to volunteer to ensure you don't miss out on receiving the 50% discount. 

To sign up to volunteer or receive more info, please email: volunteer@charlottesvilleturkeytrot.com or info@charlottesvilleturkeytrot.com

- Official race entry
- Race T-shirt, perfect for running or to wear around casually
- Race Bib 
- Professionally timed event operations

PACKET PICKUP: If you are racing the Charlottesville Turkey Trot 5k Live or Virtual 5k, you will need to register online first, then pick up your race number at Packet Pickup prior to the race start (9AM- Thanksgiving Morning).

Packet Pickup Location: Connect Church, 2080 Lambs Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901 (across Lambs Rd. from Albemarle High School). It will be available these specific dates and times:

Tuesday Nov. 25 (3-6pm)
Wednesday Nov. 26 (1pm-5pm)

RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP: Avoid race morning lines by picking up your packet on Tuesday (3-6pm) or Wednesday (1-5pm) at Connect Church (2080 Lambs Rd, across from Albemarle HS). If you need to pickup your race packet on race morning it will be open from 7:45am-8:30am at the race venue at Albemarle High School.

LATE REGISTRATION: Begins Wednesday, Nov 26 (6pm) thru Thursday, Nov. 27 (8:30am). Late registration price increases to $48. Register online before arriving at Packet Pickup Thursday AM to make your check-in faster. 

We highly encourage runners to arrive by 8am on race morning. 

Course Description: The 5k Live run/walk course includes a mix of flatter stretches and short rolling hills with an elevation gain of only 133 feet. It's ideal for multiple generations of family runners from Grandparents to Grandkids.

Save up to $15 off your entry by signing up by October 24 until 11:59pm.

Guarantee a race t-shirt by signing up by November 1 (11:59pm).

Race Numbers: Your race number must be pinned (in all four corners) to the outside layer of your front, so as to properly trigger your chip. If you have multiple members of your family running, please make sure that you each wear the correct number (your names will be on the back of each number).

Wave Start Info: Each wave will be 2 minutes apart and allow for a rolling wave start. We encourage advanced runners and/or those running under 30 minutes to start in the 1st wave- 9:00am; intermediate runners and/or those running 30-40 minutes in the 2nd wave-9:02am; beginners and/or those casually running or walking in 40 minutes or more in the 3rd wave-9:04am and any strollers in the 4th wave at 9:06am. Wave starts allow for everyone to be more safely spread out while starting with those you wish to run/walk within your designated wave.

Restrooms: Approximately 25 Women's & 25 Men's restrooms will be open just inside Albemarle High School's main track entrance. To access, walk through the track's main gates and look for the bathroom signs on the left of the building. We will also have some porta-johns at the race start. To avoid wait-in lines, utilize the track's restrooms. 

Please stay tuned to your race emails and follow our Facebook page @CvilleTurkeyTrot for any updates, changes or additional packet pickup instructions. 

We realize that not everyone will be able to travel home to be with their families for the Thanksgiving weekend and a virtual run allows you to sign up for the same event and run solo, or as a team from anywhere, anytime between Nov 27-Nov 30. Run, walk, skip or jog your 5k through your neighborhood, local park, treadmill, or anywhere else you may find yourself during the long Thanksgiving weekend this year! You'll also receive official race swag for your run.

Save up to $15 off your entry by signing up by October 24 until 11:59pm. 

Guarantee a race t-shirt by signing up by November 1 (11:59pm). If you cannot make it to the in-person packet pickup, you may also choose to ship your packet directly to you for an extra fee. 

After you've rocked your run/walk distance, you can easily submit your time online and see your name on the leaderboard.

We're super social, so please post any pictures you snapped on our Charlottesville Turkey Trot Facebook page. We will also have an easy way to share your photos to the official race page.

Please stay tuned to your race emails for any updates, changes or additional packet pickup instructions. 

Benefits of Teams
To make it more fun and motivating with family and friends, choose to run the 5k Live or 5k Virtual as a four (4) person team no matter where you each live.

How TEAMS Sign Up
Running is always better with friends and family! Create or join a team of four! 
1) Chat it up with your friends and have someone sign up. When this first person signs up, they should select the new 'Team' option.
2) The person that sets the team up is the designated team captain. He or she will create a group name (get creative!) and password. 
3) Once the team captain has signed up, they can start sharing the group name and password so others can join. Please note that the team captain does not have to sign everyone up. Rather, each member can sign up and join the team to pay for their own registration.

Please stay tuned to your race emails for updates, changes, or additional packet pickup instructions. 

Volunteer and receive 50% off your race entry! You may also recruit a volunteer to serve on your behalf and still receive the 50% race discount. Most volunteers find the experience fun, easy, and a great way to be part of race day.

We are looking to fill a variety of volunteer roles, including packet pickup, parking assistance, course marshals, finish line support, helping with water coolers, and post-race clean-up.

Approximately 25 volunteers are needed before and after the race. Volunteer spots are limited, so we encourage you to sign up early to ensure availability and secure your 50% discount.

To sign up to volunteer or to request additional information, please email: volunteer@charlottesvilleturkeytrot.com or info@charlottesvilleturkeytrot.com