OBX 2026 TURKEY TROT

17th Annual OBX Turkey Trot Foot Races

Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 26, 2026
Southern Shores, North Carolina
Races begin at 8:30 a.m.

Start your Thanksgiving morning with family, friends, fitness, and plenty of community spirit at the 17th Annual OBX Turkey Trot in the beautiful Town of Southern Shores! Whether you're chasing a personal best, making memories with family, or introducing your little ones to the joy of running, there's a race for everyone this Thanksgiving.

Choose Your Trot Tradition

• 5K: Run the Tradition. Challenge yourself on our scenic 5K course and kick off Thanksgiving with one of the Outer Banks' favorite holiday traditions.
• NEW: 1-Mile Run/Walk. Perfect for families, walkers, beginning runners, grandparents, strollers, and anyone who wants to enjoy the morning together while supporting a great cause.
• Children's 1/2 Mile Fun Run: Little Legs. Big Smiles. Designed especially for children ages 12 and under, this fun, non-competitive race is all about building confidence, having fun, and creating lasting Thanksgiving memories.
• Celebration: No matter which event you choose, you'll be celebrating gratitude, healthy living, and giving back to local children through OBX GO FAR.

What to Expect

• Breakfast: Delicious hot pancake breakfast.
• Shirt: One-of-a-kind 2026 OBX Turkey Trot shirt*
• Medal: Custom 2026 finisher medal*
• Raffle: Exciting raffle prizes and giveaways.

*Available during the qualifying registration period.

The 5K and NEW 1-Mile Run/Walk are untimed, making this event welcoming for participants of all ages and abilities. Whether you're running, jogging, or walking, you're encouraged to enjoy the experience at your own pace. Participants wishing to track their time are welcome to wear their own watch or use the finish-line clock.

Why We Run

The OBX Turkey Trot is more than a race—it's the largest annual fundraiser for OBX GO FAR (Go Out For A Run), a Dare County nonprofit dedicated to helping children build healthy habits, confidence, perseverance, and positive character through running. Every registration and donation helps provide scholarships, coach training, program supplies, race experiences, and opportunities for local children to discover just how far they can go.

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, OBX GO FAR has positively impacted more than 12,000 youth across Dare County.

When you participate in the Turkey Trot, you're helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to cross a finish line.

Registration

Online registration opens July 25, 2026.

Choose the event that's right for you:

• 5K: Run the Tradition
• NEW 1-Mile Run/Walk: Move Together
• Children's 1/2-Mile Fun Run: Little Legs Big Smiles

Participants who register during the qualifying registration period will receive an official OBX Turkey Trot shirt and custom finisher medal.

• Deadline: Register by October 31 to qualify for the shirt and medal package.
• Size Guarantee: November 3 is the last day to guarantee your requested shirt size.
• Fees: Registration fees increase beginning August 1.

Gather Your Flock

The legendary Largest Flock Trophy is back! The largest registered family, business, organization, or team will take home our gigantic 6-foot-tall Largest Flock Trophy—along with a full year of bragging rights!

So gather your family, recruit your coworkers, invite your neighbors, and rally your friends. The bigger your flock, the better your chances of taking home the gold!

Children's 1/2-Mile Fun Run

Help us kick off the 17th Annual OBX Turkey Trot with our youngest athletes! The Children's 1/2-Mile Fun Run for ages 12 and under starts the morning's first race with plenty of excitement, energy, and smiles. Families and spectators are encouraged to line the course and cheer on every young runner as they begin a fun-filled Thanksgiving tradition.

NEW 1-Mile Run/Walk

Following our Children's 1/2-Mile Fun Run, we're excited to introduce the NEW 1-Mile Run/Walk as the second event of the morning!

Perfect for families, walkers, beginning runners, grandparents, friends, and participants of all abilities, this event offers a fun and relaxed way to be part of the Thanksgiving tradition. Whether you're pushing a stroller, enjoying a walk with loved ones, or looking for a shorter distance before the holiday feast, the 1-Mile Run/Walk is a wonderful way to move together while supporting OBX GO FAR.

5K – Run the Tradition

The 5K is the signature event of the OBX Turkey Trot and the perfect way to complete a memorable Thanksgiving morning. Whether you're running for fun, challenging yourself, or continuing a family tradition, this scenic course welcomes runners and walkers of all experience levels. Join hundreds of participants as we celebrate community, gratitude, and the joy of giving back through OBX GO FAR.

Packet Pickup & Late Registration

Packet pickup details are coming soon! We're working to provide a convenient location and schedule for all participants. Once finalized, packet pickup information will be updated here and emailed to all registered participants prior to race week.

If space remains available, participants may also register during packet pickup. Shirts, medals, and requested shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed for late or on-site registration.

Race Day Registration

If space is still available:

Thursday, November 26
7:30–8:00 a.m. only
Pitts Center

The Children's 1/2-Mile Fun Run kicks off the morning promptly at 8:30 a.m., followed by the NEW 1-Mile Run/Walk. The morning concludes with our signature 5K – Run the Tradition.

Parking

Parking is available at:

• Southern Shores Town Hall
• Southern Shores Crossing Shopping Center

Please do not park in the Goodwill shopping center behind Town Hall. Parking attendants will be available to direct traffic on race morning.

Race Course

All events will begin behind the Town of Southern Shores Complex, located at 5375 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Southern Shores, NC.

The Children's 1/2-Mile Fun Run, NEW 1-Mile Run/Walk, and 5K – Run the Tradition will each follow their own clearly marked course designed specifically for that event.

Course maps for all three events will be available soon. Please check back for updates as race day approaches.

Join us this Thanksgiving for a morning of family, fitness, and community. Whether you Run the Tradition, Move Together, or celebrate Little Legs. Big Smiles., you'll be part of a tradition that gives back. Every step supports OBX GO FAR and helps local children build confidence, embrace healthy living, and discover just how far they can go.

Together, we're making a difference—one step at a time.

For more information, visit the race page