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 for the 16th Annual High Country Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2026, in the picturesque town of Boone, Watauga! This exciting event invites participants of all levels to choose between a timed 5K or 10K race, or join in the fun with an untimed Fun Run/Walk. The scenic course will take you through mixed terrain, featuring gravel, grass, and paved paths along the beautiful Boone Greenway Trail and Kennedy Trails.
This family-friendly event is not just about racing; it's a celebration of community spirit with a live DJ, a photo-staging area, and plenty of festive costumes! New for 2026, the course has been updated to reduce elevation gain, making it even more accessible for everyone, including leashed dogs and strollers. All participants will receive custom finisher medals, and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in both the 5K and 10K. Plus, don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items to support those in need. Join the fun and make memories on Thanksgiving morning at the largest 5K and 10K event in North Carolina's high country!
This family-friendly event is not just about racing; it's a celebration of community spirit with a live DJ, a photo-staging area, and plenty of festive costumes! New for 2026, the course has been updated to reduce elevation gain, making it even more accessible for everyone, including leashed dogs and strollers. All participants will receive custom finisher medals, and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in both the 5K and 10K. Plus, don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items to support those in need. Join the fun and make memories on Thanksgiving morning at the largest 5K and 10K event in North Carolina's high country!
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 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
*
INTERACTIVE COURSE MAPS: CLICK HERE [https://www.hellodrifter.com/events/high-country-turkey-trot-2025]
*
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.
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 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
*
INTERACTIVE COURSE MAPS: CLICK HERE [https://www.hellodrifter.com/events/high-country-turkey-trot-2025]
*
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 30 JUN -
10K Timed Trail Race
Incl. $3.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Thu 26th November 2026 (8:50AM EST)
$33.50
OPENS 30 JUN -
Fun Run/Walk
Incl. $3.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Thu 26th November 2026 (9:15AM EST)
$33.50
OPENS 30 JUN -
Sleep in - Shirt Only!
Incl. $3.90 Fee & T-Shirt
Thu 26th November 2026 (9:00AM EST)
$43.90
OPENS 30 JUNNot 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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Clawson-Burnley Park, 355 M.L.K. Jr. St, Boone, 28607, NC, United States
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High Country Turkey Trot 5K & 10K
