Thanksgiving morning in Arkansas is for more than preheating the oven. It’s for lacing up your running shoes! Every year, “Turkey Trot” runs pop up across the state on Thanksgiving Day as a fun way to earn your big meal. These casual races (usually 5Ks) let you burn off some calories before the feast, so you can indulge guilt-free later. Although November 27 is still weeks away, it’s not too early to start planning and training. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a healthy family activity, Arkansas’s Turkey Trots welcome all paces. Many events even support local charities, so you’ll be giving back to the community while you trot.
Below is a roundup of in-person Turkey Trot runs happening around Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day 2025 (Thursday, Nov. 27). Pick one near you (or make it a goal to visit a new town) and start a new tradition of trotting before the turkey! Remember, an active morning means an extra slice of pie later.
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots in Arkansas (2025)
Bentonville Gobbler 5K (Bentonville) – A 5K race and fun run at Citizens Park in Bentonville, now in its 4th year. This family-friendly event is professionally timed and awards medals (and water) to all finishers. It’s the perfect opportunity to run off some pre-turkey calories up in Northwest Arkansas. (link)
Habitat for Humanity Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run (Russellville) – Hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Pope County at Dardanelle Lock & Dam Park in Russellville, this 5K invites you to start your Thanksgiving morning with purpose. Before you enjoy your turkey and pie, you can lace up with friends and family to help raise funds for building affordable homes in the community. There’s even a Fall-themed costume contest for both kids and adults, making this run as festive as it is charitable. (link)
The RCR Gobbler Turkey Trot (Little Rock) – A free, family-friendly fun run in Little Rock that’s carrying on a 13-year Thanksgiving tradition. Hosted by Rock City Running at the Market Place Shopping Center in west Little Rock, the Gobbler Turkey Trot lets participants choose routes of roughly 3, 4, or 6.5 miles. Entry is free. Instead of a fee, runners bring canned goods or cash donations for the Arkansas Foodbank. Last year over 1,700 trotters participated, donating thousands of meals’ worth of food to help hungry Arkansans. It’s a great mix of fitness, fun, and community fellowship. (link)
Ken Freeman “Huff, Puff, then Stuff” 5K (Hot Springs) – A 5K race through scenic Hot Springs National Park that literally encourages you to “earn that Thanksgiving Day stuffing”. The course runs along the Hot Springs Greenway Trail, starting and ending at the Transportation Depot downtown. All participants earn a finisher’s medal to commemorate the day, and the overall top male and female even get to take home a special pumpkin-themed prize. This race’s proceeds benefit Hot Springs Friends of the Parks for expanding local trails, so your Turkey Day trot helps build more places to run. (link)
15th Annual Downtown Springdale Turkey Trot (Springdale) – A 5K and 1-mile fun run through downtown Springdale, organized by the local RedDog Club to support Springdale High School’s football program. All races start at Walter Turnbow Park (Shiloh Square) and utilize portions of the Razorback Greenway trail. Every finisher—5K and 1-miler—receives a medal, and those who register by mid-November are guaranteed an event t-shirt (plus a loaded goodie bag). The shotgun start is at 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, so you can run up an appetite for your holiday dinner and make some Northwest Arkansas memories in the process. (link)
Turkey Trot 5K & Gobble Wobble Kids Mile (Conway) – Conway’s 11th annual Turkey Trot takes place at UCA’s Estes Stadium and features a 5K for adults plus a shorter “Gobble Wobble” mile for the kids. The course actually tours the University of Central Arkansas campus and a nearby multi-use trail before looping back to the stadium. Strollers are permitted (making it family-friendly), though bikes and pets need to sit this one out. This event happens rain or shine and benefits the United Way of Central Arkansas. If you can’t make it to Conway, they even offer a virtual option, but in-person fun is the focus here. (link)
Cabot’s 3rd Annual Turkey Trot (Cabot) – A free, 3-mile fun run/walk for the whole family in Cabot, aiming to become a new Thanksgiving Day tradition. The course starts and ends at the Allman-Bevis Sports Complex (Centennial Bank Soccer Complex) in Cabot. It’s a mostly flat route, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, with at least one refreshment stop along the way. While the run isn’t officially timed, participants are encouraged to bring donations for The CALL, a nonprofit supporting foster and adoptive families in Lonoke County. Examples: individually wrapped snacks, bottled drinks, or $5–$10 gift cards for kids’ treats. Monetary donations are also accepted for this great cause. Throw on a turkey or pilgrim costume if you like – there’s a costume contest to boost the holiday fun. (link)
Turkey Trot-n-Trek (Fayetteville) – A brand-new family tradition in Fayetteville for 2025. This event offers a 5K “trot” as well as a 1K “trek” for the littlest participants. The course packs in everything we love about Fayetteville – it’s hilly, scenic, and winds through downtown, so you’ll get a workout and some great Ozarks views. The Spark Foundation (the organizers) want to get everyone moving, so they’ve eliminated age group awards and even introduced a “pay-your-age” pricing option for the kids’ 1K to make it as accessible as possible. Before you gather to eat, gather to move your feet with the Fayetteville community at this trot. (link)
Turkey Day 5K (Batesville) – Held at Eagle Mountain in Batesville, this festive 5K is a fundraiser for the Batesville Swim Team. The race kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and it’s truly a “trot before you gobble” – participants are rewarded at the finish with hot coffee and pie. Because what’s Thanksgiving without a sweet treat, right? Prizes will go to the top three male and female finishers, but everyone can enjoy the post-race community celebration. It’s a great way to support local youth athletes and justify an extra slice of pumpkin pie later. (link)
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
