Early Bird Turkey Trot 5K, 10K, 15K, & Half Marathon

This is the EARLY BIRD Turkey Trot...Saturday 11/21/2026 in Kennesaw.

We are excited to bring back our Turkey Trot events for 2026!~  Guidelines will be the same as prior, please note the specific dates in order to qualify for a complimentary race entry!

If you haven't crossed under our finish line this year...that's OK too...You can still come out and join us...it's just $22 ($25 Race Day), in-person or virtual.

Swag available for purchase:  Awesome Shirts $22 ($25 on raceday), Hoodies $27 ($30 on raceday) & Finisher Medals available for just $7.50 ($10 on raceday)!

Two weeks before Thanksgiving in 2011, we decided that we wanted to give back to all the participants who came out to race with us over the course of the year. Thanksgiving morning seemed to be the perfect time, and giving them a FREE race would be the perfect way to say thanks. We're continuing that tradition...If you've crossed under our finish line in any race from Dec. 1, 2025 - Nov. 14, 2026, you've earned yourself a FREE 5K spot in ONE of the in-person Turkey Trot races.  (Please note the dates.  Running one of our Turkey Trots last year does NOT qualify for a free entry.)

BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR...THE Early Bird Race.  Everything will be the same as Thanksgiving Day, but we're letting you race on Saturday November 21st in Marietta/Kennesaw, if you want to.

THAT'S THIS RACE YOU ARE ABOUT TO REGISTER FOR!

We always do packet pickup on race morning starting one hour prior to the start of the race.  If we have an early pickup available, it will be added here.

Five Star NTP is seeking a Charity Partner to join forces for this exciting event. This collaboration offers a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about your organiztion's mission while generating much-needed funds to support your cause.

Make a Difference as a Charity Partner with Five Star NTP.

Imagine hundreds of athletes lacing up their shoes, crossing the start line, and knowing every step they take is helping your cause. That’s the power of becoming a Charity Partner with Five Star NTP.
As our official Charity Partner, your organization (or an individual in need) will be in the spotlight. We’ll feature you on our website, registration page, and social media — donations collected through the race go straight to you. No fees. No cuts. 

Your only obligation will be to provide 6-10 volunteers on race day and help promote the event within your circle of influence.

For more information about being the Charity Partner, contact charity@fivestarntp.com.
Volunteer

The Early Bird Turkey Trot is accepting sponsors. With a crowd of over 1,000 athletes and spectators, your company/organization will want to be a part of this annual event. Contact Sponsor@fivestarntp.com for more information

The Early Bird Turkey Trot features a carefully designed course that consists of a 3.1-mile or 5K loop.

This format allows participants to choose from a range of distances, including a 5K (1 lap), 10K (2 laps), 15K (3 laps), and Half Marathon (4 laps plus a short additional section). The design enables families to run together, with options for shorter or longer distances, while still allowing spectators to cheer on their loved ones from a single location.

One of the key benefits of our course is that spectators can see the athletes multiple times, providing increased visibility for sponsors. Unlike traditional courses where sponsors may only be seen once, our design ensures that athletes running longer distances will pass by sponsor locations multiple times, maximizing exposure and impact.

Partner Level Pricing--Current year's rates are based on last year's participation counts. Each race is priced individually.

Contact Sponsor for more information.

For Partner Level and other Sponsor descriptions, visit Five Star NTP.

If you crossed under our Finish Line with us between Dec 2025 & November 14, 2026, you earned yourself a FREE Turkey Trot entry!   Shirts & Finisher Medals are available for purchase.  All participants qualify for Overall/Age Group awards!  *Running the Turkey Trot in 2025 does not qualify.  **Please register for just (1) Turkey Trot event.  Duplicate registrations will be removed.  If you need to make changes, please email Nancy@fivestarntp.com.

All races start at 8:00 AM.

If you haven't, join us for just $22 ($25 on Race Day), with shirt options & finisher medal available for purchase! All participants qualify for Overall/Age Group awards! 

We will have all distances available VIRTUAL for only $22 ($25 on Race Day)  Run your distance of 5K, 10K, 15K, or Half Marathon to earn your turkey!  Awesome shirt options & finisher medal for purchase.  All virtual participants will qualify for Age Group awards in the Virtual events.

November 5

• Registration deadline for guaranteed shirt

November 21

• 6:30 AM - Race Day Check In & Registration Opens
• 8:00 AM - All Races Start

Can't make it out to the event site on race day?

Still want to participate or support the cause? Or, maybe you saw the shirt and said:  "Sweet...I want one!"  Then, the virtual race is for you.  Run when & where you want, just submit your time by end of Race Day.  We'll ship out virtual packages the Monday after event date! *Shipping available for continental US only.

New to Virtual Running?  Here's how it works:

Step 1

Get excited, grab some friends and buddies to join you!  Sign up, and register for the Virtual Early Bird Turkey Trot 5K, 10K, 15K or Half Marathon!

Step 2

Download your Custom Digital Bib!  Hydrate, grab your buddy (or not), and get ready to get moving!

Step 3

Get out there and run or walk! You can run at the park, your favorite route in your neighborhood; anywhere you want.   Please remember to be safe!

Step 4

HAVE FUN!~

Share your distance, a selfie, or a picture along your race route, and use the hashtag #earlybirdturkeytrot #fivestarturkeytrot

Step 5

Submit your results directly on RunSignUp.com, Event website, Results

You can submit your race time HERE on the Results page anytime until end of race day.

Step 6

View your Virtual Results HERE on the RunSignUp Event Page, or your Profile Monday after the Event Date.

Finisher Medals...
Yes...we'll have finisher medals, and you'll be able to get one if you want one for just $7.50 ($10 on raceday)!

All participants qualify for Overall & Age Group Awards.  We'll have an Awards Ceremony after the race.  If you don't stay, or miss hearing your name, you may request to have your award shipped, just pay S&H.

Overall Awards
Each race (5K, 10K, 15K, Half Marathon) will have awards for the Top 3 finishers M/F, and the Top 3 Masters Finishers M/F, Top 3 Senior Masters, and Top 3 Grand Masters.  These awards will be based on electronic-timing.

Age Group Awards
Each race will have awards to the top 3 in each of the normal 5 year age groups (10 & under - 75+). These awards will be based on Electronic-Time.

Long sleeve shirts only $22 (ON RACE DAY $25)

Hoodies for $27 (ON RACE DAY $30)

It's a great course...The course is flat!...but it's North Georgia, so NOTHING is completely flat.
It's a 5K loop, short & sweet to start your day!

Each distance, thereafter, will be loops. 

Course map 

Water Stations

We will have Self-Serve water stations approximately every 1.5 miles. If you are wanting to run fast and not stop, you might want to bring your own personal hydration.

Pacing

Participants will need to finish with at least a 16 min/mile pace.

Long sleeve cotton $22 ($25 on raceday) , and we'll be getting hoodies $27 ($30 on raceday) too this year. Finisher medals will be $7.50 ($10 on raceday), so get yours to remember your run!

Just pick out what you want, & pay for it during checkout.

Please check the link below to see where parking is NOT permitted for the Early Bird Turkey Trot; you may park anywhere else.

Thank you!

PARKING INFO LINK

This is one of the last chances to earn a spot in the 5K/10K Championships, and it's a big group that will earn spots. Check out www.fivestarntp.com for a complete explanation as to how the spots are allocated.

Our events are designed to be fun for the entire family. With that in mind; any
competitor, spectator, parent, volunteer, or sponsor, exhibiting unsportsmanlike
conduct or interfering with the positive, competitive atmosphere of the event will
be asked to leave the venue and course immediately with no refunds.

All registrations are final. There are no refunds, deferments, or transfers.

Event will take place rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, we will cancel
for the safety of the participants...there are no refunds in this case.

Participants that do not show up to race/event forfeit their right to any swag.

No COVID-19 Refunds.  If unforeseen circumstances arise due to COVID-19, including any Federal or State Health Emergency, refunds will not be provided.  The event will go 100% Virtual & shirts will be shipped to participants.