North Reading 5k Turkey Trot
Thursday, November 26, 2026
8:00 AM EST
North Reading, Massachusetts
$50.56 · 2 races
5km
Event summary
Get ready to kick off your Thanksgiving festivities with the North Reading 5k Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 26, 2026! This exciting event takes place in the beautiful Ipswich River Park in North Reading, Middlesex, starting promptly at 8:00 AM, rain or shine. Participants can choose between a 5K race and a 1.75-mile walk, both of which will begin and end at the same location. With a maximum of 1,500 runners expected, this event is the perfect way to get moving while supporting local scholarships for deserving seniors at North Reading High School.
Join the fun and be part of the Elementary School Challenge, where schools compete to have 20% of their student body participate! With awards for overall winners and top finishers in various age categories, there’s plenty of motivation to lace up your running shoes. Don't forget to pre-register by November 8 to secure lower fees and a guaranteed race shirt! Whether you’re walking with family or racing for glory, the North Reading 5k Turkey Trot promises a fantastic morning filled with community spirit, exercise, and holiday cheer!
Join the fun and be part of the Elementary School Challenge, where schools compete to have 20% of their student body participate! With awards for overall winners and top finishers in various age categories, there’s plenty of motivation to lace up your running shoes. Don't forget to pre-register by November 8 to secure lower fees and a guaranteed race shirt! Whether you’re walking with family or racing for glory, the North Reading 5k Turkey Trot promises a fantastic morning filled with community spirit, exercise, and holiday cheer!
Races
Organiser's description
THANKSGIVING MORNING, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2026 8:00 AM (RAIN OR SHINE) MAXIMUM ENTRIES ACCEPTED = 1500 RUNNERS
Sponsored by the NORTH READING HORNET HALL OF FAME https://www.northreadinghornethalloffame.com Committee.
Proceeds support 2 scholarships for deserving graduating seniors at NRHS who have participated in the running programs and benefit the North Reading Middle/High School sports program.
5K RACE AND 1.75 MILE WALK - BOTH START AND FINISH AT THE SAME SPOT AND TIME.
The event will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. We ask that all participants who are walking to please use the shorter course. The event needs to be done by 9:00 AM in order to be cleaned up and ready for the Thanksgiving Day football game featuring NRHS and Lynnfield, which is played at 10:30 AM.
Race/Walk will start and finish in Ipswich River Park, Central Street
_NORTH READING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHALLENGE!!!_
Each school will work to meet the challenge of having 20% of the student body participate on race day.
Each school can earn extra points for having a participant finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in your age group.
PRE-REGISTER BY MIDNIGHT, 11/8, FOR LOWER REGISTRATION FEES & GUARANTEED SIZE FOR SHORT-SLEEVE T-SHIRT (50/50 COTTON/POLYESTER)
(shirts not guaranteed if registering after 11/8/2026 OR the race has reached 1500 registrants!)
_AGE CATEGORIES_
10 and Under, 11 13, 14 18, 19 29, 30 39, 40 49, 50 59, 60 69, 70 and Over
_5K RACE PRIZES_
Overall winners of the female and male divisions awarded the Frederick A. Keyes Memorial Award at the end of the race!
Top 2 female/male in all age categories along with the top 2 families (families of 4 runners) win prizes!
Prizewinners will be notified by email/mail.
CONTINUED FOR 2026!!! ALTERNATIVE PRE-RACE BIB PICK UP - HELD AT MARATHON SPORTS - 668 MAIN STREET, READING, MA
* Available at store on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 10 AM - 2 PM and SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, NOON - 2 PM
* If you need to make changes to your event, you will need to go to the MS/HS on Monday, 11/24.
_PRE-RACE BIB PICK UP_ NORTH READING MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA, 189 PARK STREET MONDAY, 11/23 (4:00 7:00 PM)
A food drive for the North Reading Food Pantry will be held by the North Reading Middle School Early-Act Club
Donations accepted during pre-race number pick-up. Check the NR Food Pantry website for needed items: http://www.nrfoodpantry.org/
EVENT FEE: (SERVICE FEE ADDED AT CHECKOUT)
Students: $25 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $35 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
Adults: $35 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $45 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
Family (4-Maximum): $100 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $110 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
Family (5-6 members): $120 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $135 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
STROLLERS ARE WELCOME!
PLEASE - NO DOGS OR BIKES! There are so many youngsters due to the Elementary School Challenge and not all people are as comfortable around dogs as you may be. Bikes can be unstable, and the roads are NOT closed to traffic.
Sponsored by the NORTH READING HORNET HALL OF FAME https://www.northreadinghornethalloffame.com Committee.
Proceeds support 2 scholarships for deserving graduating seniors at NRHS who have participated in the running programs and benefit the North Reading Middle/High School sports program.
5K RACE AND 1.75 MILE WALK - BOTH START AND FINISH AT THE SAME SPOT AND TIME.
The event will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. We ask that all participants who are walking to please use the shorter course. The event needs to be done by 9:00 AM in order to be cleaned up and ready for the Thanksgiving Day football game featuring NRHS and Lynnfield, which is played at 10:30 AM.
Race/Walk will start and finish in Ipswich River Park, Central Street
_NORTH READING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHALLENGE!!!_
Each school will work to meet the challenge of having 20% of the student body participate on race day.
Each school can earn extra points for having a participant finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in your age group.
PRE-REGISTER BY MIDNIGHT, 11/8, FOR LOWER REGISTRATION FEES & GUARANTEED SIZE FOR SHORT-SLEEVE T-SHIRT (50/50 COTTON/POLYESTER)
(shirts not guaranteed if registering after 11/8/2026 OR the race has reached 1500 registrants!)
_AGE CATEGORIES_
10 and Under, 11 13, 14 18, 19 29, 30 39, 40 49, 50 59, 60 69, 70 and Over
_5K RACE PRIZES_
Overall winners of the female and male divisions awarded the Frederick A. Keyes Memorial Award at the end of the race!
Top 2 female/male in all age categories along with the top 2 families (families of 4 runners) win prizes!
Prizewinners will be notified by email/mail.
CONTINUED FOR 2026!!! ALTERNATIVE PRE-RACE BIB PICK UP - HELD AT MARATHON SPORTS - 668 MAIN STREET, READING, MA
* Available at store on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 10 AM - 2 PM and SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, NOON - 2 PM
* If you need to make changes to your event, you will need to go to the MS/HS on Monday, 11/24.
_PRE-RACE BIB PICK UP_ NORTH READING MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA, 189 PARK STREET MONDAY, 11/23 (4:00 7:00 PM)
A food drive for the North Reading Food Pantry will be held by the North Reading Middle School Early-Act Club
Donations accepted during pre-race number pick-up. Check the NR Food Pantry website for needed items: http://www.nrfoodpantry.org/
EVENT FEE: (SERVICE FEE ADDED AT CHECKOUT)
Students: $25 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $35 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
Adults: $35 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $45 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
Family (4-Maximum): $100 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $110 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
Family (5-6 members): $120 Pre- registration (through 11/8/2026) $135 Registration (11/9/2026 and later)
STROLLERS ARE WELCOME!
PLEASE - NO DOGS OR BIKES! There are so many youngsters due to the Elementary School Challenge and not all people are as comfortable around dogs as you may be. Bikes can be unstable, and the roads are NOT closed to traffic.
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Location
15 Central St, North Reading, 01864, MA, United States
North Reading 5k Turkey Trot
Event data
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