Thanksgiving Day 5K, Kids' Fun Runs & Tot Trot

Get ready to gobble up the fun this Thanksgiving! Start your holiday with our festive Thanksgiving Day 5K at beautiful Sherando Park. Whether you’re racing or strolling, you’ll love our scenic course featuring the track, pavement, and woodland trails — it’s the perfect mix of terrain and fall color. Work up an appetite before the feast, make memories, and kick off your day with fun, fitness, and festive vibes!

No Race Day Registration - register early!!

1st Place Overall Male and Female $150
2nd Place Overall Male and Female $100
3rd Place Overall Male and Female $50
1st Place Masters 40+ Male and Female $50
*Overall awards are in the form of gift cards

Fastest Team - The top 3 finishers on a team will have their individual times added together and scored for the team competition. Lowest cumulative time wins!

Click HERE for the interactive course map.

Can someone else run with my race bib? 
For the safety and security of all our runners, people are not permitted to run with someone else’s race bib.

What do I get for my 5K entry fee?
• Long sleeve race T-shirt (register before October 25th, then until supplies last)
• Custom Finisher Medal
• Mini Pie
• Fun with Family & Friends!
• Live Music
• Chip-Timed with Instant Results
• Satisfaction of being physically active before you feast!

Where can I pick up my race packet? 
Runners are highly encouraged to pick up race packets at Sherando High School on the following days:
Tuesday, November 25: 4-7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 26: 4-7 p.m.
Race Day (11/27): 7-8 a.m.

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?
You may authorize another person to pick up your packet/bib number.

Will spectators be allowed to view the finish?
Yes, there will be plenty of places along the course and at the finish to cheer on your family or friends.

Will there be an awards ceremony? What are the award categories?
Yes, the awards ceremony will happen immediately after the 5K. Award information can be found HERE.

Where will my results be posted?
Live results will be uploaded to the Registration Page. Race bibs have a QR code to view results or visit the kiosk near the finish area.

Will there be hydration on the course? 
No aid stations are along the course. Water will be located at the finish area.

What are the age limits for each race? 
Kids Fun Run – 6-9 years old
Thanksgiving Day 5K – you must be 6 years old.

What are the event start times?
Kids Fun Run (ages 6-7) – 8 a.m.
Kids Fun Run (ages 8-9) – 8:15 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day 5K – 8:45 a.m.

Are is there race time limits?
The 5K course limit is 1 hour 15 minutes.

Are headphones, strollers or pets allowed during the race?
We follow Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) recommendations that strongly advise against allowing strollers, dogs and headphones at races. Unlike running alone with a stroller or headphones, races often involve hundreds of runners. Races run on roads sometimes open to minimal traffic with road hazards such as potholes, loose gravel, blind turns, and given that this is the Shenandoah Valley, major hills. While Frederick County Parks and Recreation tries to make our race courses as safe as possible through good course management, marshaling, and marking, we believe that runners have a responsibility for their own safety and the safety of the runners around them.

What time should I arrive on race day? 
Please arrive early to find parking, pick up your race packet (if needed) and get ready to run!

Where can we park for the races?
Plenty of parking is available at Sherando High School. Overflow parking can be found at Sherando Park.

Participants are encouraged to pick-up their bib number and T-shirt prior to race day!

Sherando High School
185 South Warrior Drive
Stephens City, VA 22655

Tuesday, November 25: 4-7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 26: 4-7 p.m.
Race Day (11/27): 7-8 a.m.

Thanksgiving morning is a perfect time to be surrounded by family and friends! In addition to your individual entry into the 5K, you can also create or join a team at no additional charge. Teams will consist of 3 or more individual runners in the 5K and can be any combination of genders. Each runner on the team will race as an individual and be eligible for overall awards. The top 3 finishers on a team will have their individual times added together and scored for the fastest team competition. 

Fun Team awards will also be given out to the Largest Team and the Best Holiday-Themed/Most Festive Team!

Setting up or joining a team is very easy!

If you have not registered for the race yet and want to CREATE a team:
Navigate to the Race Page of the race
Click Sign Up to begin the registration process
Enter in all participant information
Select 5K, sign the waiver and hit continue
On the next page, select Create New Group/Team
Select Continue, Select a Group/Team Type
Type in a Group/Team Name
Create an Group/Team Password
Click Continue

If you have not registered for the race yet and now want to JOIN a team:
Navigate to the Race Page of the race
Click Sign Up to begin the registration process
Enter in all participant information
Select 5K, complete the waiver and click Continue
Select or the group/team you would like to join from the drop down or use the search tool 

If you have already registered for the race but would like to JOIN a team:
Sign In to RunSignUp
Go to your Profile
Navigate to Upcoming Events.
Click Manage Registration next to the registration you would like to add to a team
Click Group/Team on the left-hand sidebar
From the pop-up select Join Existing Group/Team
Either select a Group/Team from the dropdown or Search Groups/Teams
Click Continue

If you have already registered for the race but now want to CREATE a team:
Log on to RunSignup under the account you registered for the Race.
Navigate to Upcoming Events > Manage Registration.
Click on the menu Group/Team (located on the left or top)
Click on the tab “Create New Group/Team“
Select a Group/Team type
Type in a Group/Team name
Create a team Password.
Click Continue.

Contact Becky with any questions: rebecca.mcgraw@fcva.us

Ages 2-5: Dash Starts at 8:00 am - participants will run a ~100m dash.

• Dash participants will receive a medal and have the opportunity to add on a T-shirt (need to purchase before October 25 to guarantee size; then until supplies last)
• No finishing time or age group awards given
• Just have fun! - It's a FUN run!!

Ages 6-7: Race Starts at 8:10 am - participants will run 1.5 laps around the track.

Ages 8-9:  Race Starts at 8:15am - participants will run 2.5 laps around the track.

• Kids Fun Run participants will receive a medal and t-shirt (T-shirt guarantee deadline is October 25; then until supplies last); 
• No finishing time or age group awards given
• Just have fun! - It's a FUN run!!

       Race proceeds benefit the Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter (WATTS). WATTS provides safe,
            temporary shelter during extreme weather for homeless guests in Winchester and Frederick & Clarke counties, VA.