Turkey Trots Happening Across Michigan in 2023
Shandra Martinez
| 3 min read
It’s time to sign up for Turkey Trots. These holiday races offer runners of any level a chance to go outside and get moving with family and friends. The races are a fun way for everyone to have fun and burn some calories before gearing up to eat and drink the rest of the day.
While this holiday run may not counteract your entire meal, you can burn about 300 calories if you run the 5K distance, less if you walk it. According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American Thanksgiving meal packs a whopping 3,000 calories.
If running in a Turkey Trot is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition, you aren’t alone. For nearly a decade, Thanksgiving has eclipsed the Fourth of July as the most popular day to run a race, according to Runner’s World.
But the country’s love affair with the Turkey Trot took decades to blossom. The original trot happened in 1896 in Buffalo, New York, when the local YMCA hosted an 8K cross-country race on the November holiday. Just six participants joined in the race — and only four of them made it to the finish line.
This year, thousands of Michiganders of all ages are expected to cross the finish line. Wherever you are in Michigan, there’s a Turkey Trot race near you. While most happen the week of Thanksgiving, a few arrive as early as the first week of November.
Check out this list of Turkey Trots planned throughout Michigan. The list is broken down by region. Click the city of the race you are interested in for details, registration and general information.
Mid/Northern Michigan
Saturday, Nov. 4
St Peter Turkey Trot 5K/10K in Hemlock.
Saturday, Nov. 18
ICCS Turkey Trot in Imlay City.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Dork Brothers Turkey Trot in Alpena.
Gaylord Turkey Trot in Gaylord.
Gobbler Gallop Trail/Run in Saginaw.
New Beginnings Turkey Trot 5K in Sheridan.
Sunrise Side Pantry's Turkey Trot in Rogers City.
Up North Media Traverse City Turkey Trot in Traverse City.
TWW Turkey Trot in East Tawas.
Southwest/Southeast/South Central/Southern Michigan
Saturday, Nov. 11:
National Honor Society Turkey Trot in Coldwater.
Sunday, Nov. 12
Original A2 Turkey Trot in Dexter.
Big Bird Run in Roseville.
Saturday, Nov. 18
WMU Turkey Trot in Kalamazoo.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Associated Charities Turkey Trot in Adrian.
Battle Creek Family YMCA’s Turkey Trot in Battle Creek.
Canton Turkey Trot in Canton.
Downtown DeWitt Turkey Trot in DeWitt.
Huffin for the Stuffin in Northville.
Lansing Turkey Trot in Lansing.
Mighty Gobbler 5K/1M in Troy.
Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run in Niles.
Oxford Turkey Trot in Oxford.
South Lyon SANE Turkey Trot in South Lyon.
Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3) Turkey Trot in Detroit.
Turkey Trot Time Prediction 5K in Portage.
YMCA of Barry County Turkey Trot in Hastings.
Thursday-Friday, Nov. 23-24
Turkey ‘TRAIL’ Trot in Shelby Township.
West Michigan
Saturday, Nov. 11
Hoffmaster Turkey Trail 5K Run in Muskegon.
Litehouse Family YMCA Turkey Trot in Lowell.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Hart Thanksgiving Run in Hart.
Trails to Hope Turkey Trot in Belmont.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Grand Rapids Public Schools Turkey Trot in Grand Rapids.
Jackson Turkey Trot in Jackson.
Kids' Food Basket Gobble Wobble in Grand Rapids.
Tamarac Turkey Trot in Fremont.
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K in Muskegon.
Wildcat Pride Turkey Trot in Lakeview.
Zeeland Turkey Trot 8K in Zeeland.
Thursday-Friday, Nov. 23-24
Out Side In Turkey Trot in Grand Haven
Saturday, Nov. 25
Coopersville Cares Turkey Trot in Coopersville.
Upper Peninsula
Thursday, Nov. 23
Iron Mountain Kingsford Turkey Trot 5K in Iron Mountain.
Turkey Trot MMYMCA in Menominee.
Photo credit: Nichole Josey, IG: @nmj192
