High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K

  • Date Thu 26th November 2026
  • Time 8:50AM EST
  • Location Boone, North Carolina
  • Price $33.50 - $43.90
  • Races 4 races
  • Distances 5km, 10km

Event summary

Get ready to kick off your Thanksgiving morning with the 16th Annual High Country Turkey Trot on November 26, 2026, in beautiful Boone, Watauga! This vibrant event invites participants of all ages and abilities to choose between a timed 5K or 10K race, or join in the fun with an untimed fun run/walk. As you navigate the scenic Boone Greenway Trail, enjoy the newly updated course that promises less elevation gain and a more stable footing, making it perfect for competitive runners, casual joggers, and families alike.

The High Country Turkey Trot is not just about racing; it’s an exhilarating celebration! Enjoy live music from a DJ, capture fun moments at the photo-staging area, and don’t forget to dress up in your best Thanksgiving-themed costumes. After crossing the finish line, all participants will receive a custom finisher medal, while the top three men’s and women’s finishers in both the 5K and 10K will be rewarded with exciting prizes, including delicious pumpkin pies from Stick Boy Bread Co. Plus, the event promotes community spirit by encouraging attendees to bring non-perishable food items for those in need. Join us for a morning filled with fun, festive

Organiser's Description

WE ARE BACK ON THE BOONE GREENWAY TRAIL FOR THE 16TH ANNUAL HIGH COUNTRY TURKEY TROT! CHOOSE FROM A 5K OR 10K TIMED RACE OR AN UNTIMED FUN RUN/WALK.

TAKING PLACE ON THANKSGIVING MORNING, THE HIGH COUNTRY TURKEY TROT IS OPEN TO COMPETITIVE RUNNERS, CASUAL JOGGERS, WALKERS, AND FUN RUNNERS. FAR FROM JUST A RACE, THE EVENT IS FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND INCLUDES A LIVE DJ, PHOTO-STAGING AREA, COSTUMES, AND A PICNIC SHED FULL OF FOOD AND HOT DRINKS.

NEW FOR 2026: WE'VE UPDATED THE COURSE ROUTE BY REDUCING ELEVATION GAIN AND IMPROVING THE TERRAIN. THAT MEANS LESS HILL CLIMBS AND MORE STABLE FOOTING! THE 5K AND 10K RACES WILL TAKE YOU ON A SCENIC TRIP OVER MIXED TERRAIN (GRAVEL, GRASS, AND PAVED) THROUGH THE WOODS VIA THE GREENWAY AND KENNEDY TRAILS. OFFICIAL COURSE MAP TO BE REVEALED SOON!

THE FUN RUN/WALK WILL UTILIZE ALL PAVED TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE PARK - _MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING LEASHED DOGS, STROLLERS, WAGONS, WHEELCHAIRS, AND OTHER MOBILITY AIDS. _

THE HIGH COUNTRY TURKEY TROT OFFERS PRIZES FOR TOP 3 MEN'S & WOMEN'S FINISHERS IN THE 5K & 10K TIMED RUNS, FINISHER MEDALS FOR ALL RUNNERS IN THE 5K AND 10K TIMED RUNS, AND CUSTOM HIGH COUNTRY TURKEY TROT T-SHIRTS FOR ALL ENTRANTS*.

ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE ASKED TO BRING NON-PERISHABLE BOXES OR CANNED FOOD ITEMS!

THE HIGH COUNTRY TURKEY TROT IS LARGEST 5K & 10K IN NORTH CAROLINA'S HIGH COUNTRY. JOIN THE FUN ON THANKSGIVING MORNING 2026!

START TIME

*

10K TIMED RACE START TIME: 8:50

*

5K TIMED RACE START TIME: 9:00

*

FUN RUN/WALK START TIME: 9:10

ROUTE TERRAIN

*

NEW INTERACTIVE COURSE MAPS: TO BE RELEASE SOON!

*

5K & 10K RACE: GREENWAY TRAIL + PATH PARTIALLY PAVED, MOSTLY GRASS AND WOODED TRAIL/DIRT.

*

FUN RUN / WALK: GREENWAY TRAIL - 100% PAVED

AWARDS

ALL FINISHERS WILL RECEIVED A CUSTOM HIGH COUNTRY TURKEY TROT FINISHER MEDAL!

OVERALL WINNERS: TOP 3 OVERALL MEN AND WOMEN WILL RECEIVE CUSTOM HCTT SWAG AND A STICK BOY BREAD CO. PUMPKIN PIE!

AGE GROUPS: TOP 3 IN EACH AGE GROUP WILL RECEIVE CUSTOM HCTT SWAG! AGE GROUPS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 9 & UNDER, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

FIRST AID PROVIDED BY: WATAUGA RESCUE, STATIONED AT THE START/FINISH LINE.

Races

  • 5K Timed Race

    Incl. $3.50 Fee & T-Shirt

    Thu 26th November 2026 (9:00AM EST)

    $33.50

    OPENS 25 JUN
  • 10K Timed Trail Race

    Incl. $3.50 Fee & T-Shirt

    Thu 26th November 2026 (8:50AM EST)

    $33.50

    OPENS 25 JUN
  • Fun Run/Walk

    Incl. $3.50 Fee & T-Shirt

    Thu 26th November 2026 (9:15AM EST)

    $33.50

    OPENS 25 JUN
  • Sleep in - Shirt Only!

    Incl. $3.90 Fee & T-Shirt

    Thu 26th November 2026 (9:00AM EST)

    $43.90

    OPENS 25 JUN
    Not a morning person? Stuck at home cooking the Turkey? Love to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? You can still support The Hospitality House and receive a commemorative long-sleeve T-Shirt!

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Location

Clawson-Burnley Park, 355 M.L.K. Jr. St, Boone, 28607, NC, United States

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