Dallas Texas Turkey Trot – All You Need To Know

We all know, no Dallas Thanksgiving is complete without the Dallas Turkey Trot. The way it connects the people and fills the air with joy, love and hope is simply incomparable.

Howdy y’all!! It’s me again, (hope you are happy to see me, lol) And it’s time to especially say-Howdy, Dallas!!

Thanksgiving is just a day away! Hope you are all excited. By the way do y’all know about the amazing tradition that kicks off the Thanksgiving for Dallas? Yes, that’s correct! It’s the Dallas Turkey Trot!

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, 2024

The Dallas YMCA welcomes you to YMCA Dallas Turkey Trot, sponsored by Texas Health. YMCA Dallas Turkey Trot is an annually organized foot-race (includes Wheel Chair races) that happens in the morning of the Thanksgiving Day. The course for the full race is 8.2 miles long, making its way through the beautiful city of Dallas, Texas.

YMCA Dallas Turkey Trot has been a Thanksgiving tradition for the people of Dallas for more than 55 years!! Yes, that’s more than half a century! And this year, it’s happening again, marking their 57th anniversary! This event is something very special in the hearts of every soul in Dallas. No wonder, thousands and thousands of people join this event and many volunteer for the same!

This year, YMCA has organized a 5k fun run/walk and an 8-mile race and along with numerous other fun activities. We are barely touching the surface of all that this event has in store for you! It has no age limit. Whether it’s your newborn baby, or if you consider yourself old enough to have witnessed the first Thanksgiving, there’s something for everyone!

Just A Race?

This isn’t just a race, it’s a place to connect, to celebrate, to enjoy family time playing different games or doing other activities. It’s a place to experience the joy of doing something together as a family and as a community for the community. This event is one of those awesome things that brings Dallas together!

If you wanna join in with your whole family (yup, there’s something for babies too, more on that later), you can opt for the 5K untimed run/walk. Your fur babies aren’t left out. They can be a part of all the fun and even get to race! (Spoiler alert! They’ll even get a medal! Keep reading, I’ll share more.)

And if you are an athlete, this is your chance to shine and get that first place that belongs to you!

We can’t even fully fathom all the positive impact it has ad on the family members of different generations, by bringing them closer. Dallas Turkey Trot, is Dallas’ beloved tradition that they look forward to every year.

History

The original Turkey Trot in Dallas began in the 1940s, and it was run at Fair Park.

In 1967, 107 runners covered a 3-mile course. But the first 8-mile run took place in 1968. And this tradition hasn’t stopped since.

In fact, this race became real popular in no time. Due to increasing popularity and the increase in the number of people willing to participate, the Trot was moved to Dallas Downtown near the Dallas City Hall in 1979.

Today, the numbers have grown even more significantly, with the event attracting over 20,000 participants and thousands of spectators. And a huge number of participants are expected on 28th. (This year’s turkey trot has about 1000 volunteers already.)

What’s special about Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot 2024?

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot 2024, will be real special for everyone attending and participating as more people are expected to join resulting in more fun. YMCA has even added an extra race for little trotters (more of that below).

There’ll will be games, food and music and a gift from YMCA to every participant i.e. virtual and in-person participants will receive fun race swag (traditional 100% cotton, long-sleeved Trot shirt and a race bib). Winners will receive medals!

Come on, Come all

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, welcomes people of all ages. You can join in with your family, friends and even co-workers! Your furry friends are more than welcome to join! (They’re even people who join in with their pet chicken in strollers…like I said, everyone’s welcome!)

Family Zone

Kids of all ages will enjoy the Family Zone. There are plenty of games and music, and the best part is you can take a family photo with the giant turkey—and it’s all FREE!

It’ll also have a truck with a gigantic video game (okay, this makes me wanna go now, lol). If you would like to enjoy some family time, there’s a family area that’ll have bounce houses (oh yeah!) and pop corn and all other kinds of fun things to do.

Trot for Dogs

Why Turkey trot alone when you can do it with your furry friend? Dress up your doggo in the best Turkey/Thanksgiving costume and enjoy all the fun this event offers to you. They can also join in for post-race festivities like food, music, and other family activities.

Almost 700+ doggos have been registered with their human families for the race.

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot’s gonna have dogs park with obstacle courses for the dogs. Doggos can participate in Costume Contest as well. When you register your dog, your doggo will receive a Turkey Trot dog bandanna too!

The first 750 dogs to cross the 5k finish line will win a medal!

YMCA says – Dog owners/handlers must be 18 years of age or older

The Diaper… what?

This is something new that Dallas YMCA has come up with, and you’ll absolutely love it!

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot has introduced Diaper Dash this year, for babies who are crawling. How cool and how adorable is that? They’ll be asked to crawl 12 feet, and they get a medal! [Each participant will receive a long sleeve onesie (sizes 9mo, 12mo, and 18mo), and a bib with an image of the medal ( it will be given on race day)]

Click here to know more.

Dressing up

Who doesn’t like to dress up for the Turkey Trot? (That was a rhetoric btw :P). This year, Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot’s gonna have costume competitions.

People love to dress up like Turkeys (and they look adorable lol, especially when the kids and the doggos dress up as turkeys!)

Imagine kids crawling and finishing the Diaper Dash in their cute little turkey costumes!

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot Costume Contest

It’s open to all participants. Show off your creative and silly side to all the spectators!

You will get a chance to win a one-year family membership at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas (1st place winner).

Second place winner will win a six-month family membership at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

And the 3rd place winner will win a three-month family membership at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

There’s also a costume contest for dogs! So dress your furry friends to shine with you!

Date and Location

The Trot will take place in the beautiful morning on the Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28th) starting at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street, Dallas, TX 75201, USA.

Dallas Turkey Trot Start Time

The timings different for different types of races are different. Keep reading to know more about them.

Get the course map here.

Types of Races to Participate

8-Mile run/walk

The course of the race will be 8 mile. You will have to choose for it to be timed (timer will only begin once you cross the start line) or untimed. The race will happen in two batches so the first starts at 8:30 a.m. and second at 9:00 a.m. Timed Runner Corral will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 8:25 a.m. (For the safety of other runners, no doggos or stollers will be allowed into the timed runner corral. You can still be timed, and your time will not start until you cross the start line, they request you to line up outside of the timed runner corral.) (You must choose “timed” option for getting the medals/prizes)

Feel free to dress up in your best turkey/thanksgiving costume.

It will start at Young Street, following into Deep Ellum, through the heart of downtown on Main St, past Reunion Tower, and over the viaduct bridge into Oak Cliff before returning to City Hall Plaza for the finish line.

You can either choose to walk or run, it’s totally up to you. Medical teams will be ready in case of any emergency. Water stops and restrooms located on the course.

Click here to know more. Also be sure to read the note below

5k Run/Walk

The 5k Turkey Trot is more family friendly and filled with fun. You can still opt for the race to be timed (timer will only begin once you cross the start line) or untimed. Timed Runner Corral will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 8:25 a.m.

(For the safety of other runners, same as for the 8-mile, no doggos or stollers will be allowed into the timed runner corral. You can still be timed, and your time will not start until you cross the start line, they request you to line up outside of the timed runner corral.)

(You must choose “timed” option for getting the medals/prizes)

The 5K course begins at City Hall on Young Street, heads into Deep Ellum, travels through the heart of downtown on Main St, and ends on Young Street in front of Pioneer Plaza and the Dallas Police Memorial.You can either choose to walk or run, it’s totally up to you.

Medical teams will be on standby in case of any emergency. Water stops and restrooms located on the course.

Click here to know more. Also be sure to read the note below

Note For Both 8-mile And 5K run/walk

It’s open for both Runners and Wheelchair racers!

If you gonna participate with your kids (ages 7 – 12) you will have to register for “Youth – UNTIMED – 8 Mile or 5K Run/Walk” for untimed and for timed you will have to register for “Youth – TIMED – 8 Mile or 5K Run/Walk” on raceroster.

If you gonna participate with your kids (ages 6 and under) you will have to register for “Tots/Toddlers/Strollers – 8 Mile or 5K Run/Walk” on raceroster. (do note, there’s a special race “Diaper Dash” happening for babies of crawling age. More on that below)

Your dogs can join the race too. Although YMCA recommends if you are gonna have a doggo or a gonna have a baby in stroller, you should choose to walk the course. If you choose to run, please see that the doggo and the children are well taken care of and well hydrated for a safe and fun turkey trot for everyone.

Participants with dogs and/or strollers won’t be allowed in the Timed Runner Corral

Virtual Trot

Away from Dallas and still wanna participate? Don’t worry, you can still participate (and win!) in Dallas Turkey Turkey Trot.

To participate in the virtual trot, you will have to register for “Virtual 8 Mile or 5K Run/Walk” on raceroster. at a location of your choice. You can choose to run or walk your race it anytime on Thanksgiving Day and enter in your results online.

You’ll receive a race t-shirt and access to YMCA’s online community, where you can connect with other virtual trotters and share your race experience.

Click here to know more

Diaper Dash

This fun filled event is specially organized for your adorable babies of crawling age. (They also receive a long sleeve onesie (sizes 9mo, 12mo, and 18mo))

• Start Times : There are seven different start times starting from 8:00 am to 11:00 am (each slot will be 30 mintues of your adorable babies crawling in their onsie!)
• 20ft Mat : A 20ft mat willl be ready for the diaper dash. The crawling space will be 12ft.
• Race Dat Bib : Each baby will get a bib with a picture of the medal they’re competing for!

Diaper Dash makes it possible for the little turkey trotters to enjoy and feel more involved through wholesome race that the parents will remember for all their lives!

Click here to know more.

Team Challenge – Timed 5K

Team Challenge – Timed 5K is great for families, friends and co-workers. It allows you to create a team during registration. You can share your team name with your friends, family members or co-workers so they can join your team when they register.

A team can have unlimited number of participants and only the top 4 participants’ time will account for team scoring and the fastest team will be deemed as winner!

A complete list of team times is be displayed online here. Winners will be determined post-event!

The Roost

The Roost is a gathering place for families, runners/walkers to fuel up before The Trot. Space will be limited, so be quick and reserce your spot by purchasing your pass to The Roost when you register!

The Roost opens up at 7:00 a.m.

• Breakfast : Tacos, omelets, mini pancakes, fruit, hot chocolate, coffee and juice will be provided before the race
• Snacks : Snacks and drinks will be provided after the race
• Restrooms : You’ll have access to semi private restrooms at The Roost
• Premium Pass : Premium pass holders can have two premium beverages : Beer, Wine or Mimosas (21 and over: You’ll be required to show your identification at any time it’s requested by Turkey Trot volunteers, officials, security, or police officers. No refunds or exchanges will be issued for any reason.)

Tickets for The Roost

Children ages six and younger are complimentary (i.e 2 children/adult ticket). Children above the age of 7, will be required to purchase a $15 ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Registration

You’ll be asked to sign in on Race Roster when you register for the race/walk on . All the updates regarding the trot will be sent to you through the E-mail.

If you are all pumped to join and get Turkey Trotting, visit – YMCA Dallas Turkey Trot and click register, or directly visit Race Roster.

If you wanna wait to sign up until race day, then you can just show up on the race and sign up before the race gets started (make sure you get there early though, because I’m sure this year, it’s gonna get crowded)

Picking the Packets

Remember, if you have already signed up and wanna pick up your packet before the Trot! Head to the Dallas City Hall Plaza on Wednesday (November 27th) from 11 AM-6 PM, on the corner of Young and Akard St by the flag poles.

Participating = Helping Community?

YMCA’s Turkey Trot is more than just race and celebration time. It’s gives you an opportunity to make difference in the lives of other people as all the proceeds made will directly go to the YMCA Metropolitan Dallas which will support programs and initiatives that will help build stronger healthier communities.

With so much fun, this year’s Dallas Turkey Trot’s gonna be a BLAST!

To know how YMCA Dallas supports the community, Click here.

For other general queries, Click here.

Frequently Asked Question

What is a Turkey Trot?

I believe it’s more of a Texas thing, but it’s when people wake up early on Thanksgiving morning to run in local races for charity.

What are packets mentioned above?

They are your kit, like all you get after you register for the race, for instance, the race t-shirt.

* We don’t own any of the images displayed. They belong to their respective owners. They are used here purely for illustration purposes in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. (Please contact us if you are the owner of the image and want us to take it down from our website.)

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