2025 Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot: Run, Walk or Trot

What is the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot?

Ah, the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, also known as my favorite day of the year! Held annually at Dallas City Hall, the Trot first hatched in 1967 and has grown into one of the largest Thanksgiving Day runs in the country. Thousands of folks, runners, walkers, tutu-wearers, and even pups, flock downtown for a festive fitness celebration.

It’s not just about the run; it’s about the community, the costumes, the tradition, and that heart-warming feeling of giving back while getting your steps in before the stuffing.

Why You Should Join

Still on the fence? Here are some a-pecking-good reasons why the Trot is one of the best Dallas events in November:

• Start your holiday with a healthy, high-energy tradition

• Choose your challenge: timed and un-timed 5K and 8-mile

• Bring the whole flock: Kids, grandparents, strollers, and leashed dogs included

• Enjoy a scenic course through downtown Dallas

• Support YMCA programs that serve families across North Texas

• Ideal for first-timers, seasoned athletes, and everyone in between

If you’re looking for family fun things to do in Dallas, you’ve found your golden gobbler.

Choose Your Distance: 5K or 8-Mile Race

You’ve got options:

• 5K Run/Walk: Perfect for families, beginners, and folks who like to trot and take it all in. Costumes encouraged. Smiles guaranteed.

• 8-Mile Race: For those of you who want to earn that extra slice of pie.

Both routes start and finish near Dallas City Hall, and you better believe I’ll be there cheering, dancing, and flapping my wings at the start line. 

A Thanksgiving Event for the Whole Family in Dallas

This isn’t just a race; it’s a whole feast of fun, from toddlers to tail-waggers, everyone’s welcome at the Trot. Many families dress in costume (I highly recommend feathers), push strollers, or walk hand-in-hand through the streets of downtown.

Not in town this year? No problem. We’ve got a virtual option so you can participate from anywhere and still be part of the flock. That’s what I call tradition with a twist. 

How to Register & What You Get

Ready to shake a tail feather? Register online today and lock in your spot. Prices will rise like a perfectly baked pumpkin pie, so don’t wait.

Every participant gets:

• A commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt

• A shiny finisher’s medal (while supplies last)

• A race bib (turkey-proof)

• Access to City Hall plaza activities and family zone

Packet pickup will be available the week before the race at select YMCA branches and other locations across North Texas.

Run for a Cause: Supporting Dallas YMCA Programs

The Trot is more than a top-notch Dallas 5K race; it’s a chance to make a difference. When you register, you're supporting the Dallas YMCA and its community-strengthening programs.

Your participation helps fund community health programs. Every step you take helps another family move forward and that’s something to be truly thankful for. 

So, are you ready to run, walk, or TROT? 
Join me and thousands of others in downtown Dallas this Thanksgiving. Visit us, Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot presented by Texas Health, online to register, learn more about the event, and discover how you can get involved as a sponsor or volunteer.

See you at the start line. I’ll be the one in feathers. 

Tommy the Turkey 
Official Mascot of the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot