Turkey Strut 5K 2026 — Winston Salem, NC

We are now entering our 19th year of the Turkey Strut 5K! There is both an in-person and a virtual option, so you participate in whichever way works for you. Virtual participants will have Thanksgiving Day through the following Sunday to complete their 5K or 1 mile and submit their results (results submission is optional). You can either pick up your shirt and medal at packet pick up on Wednesday or you can add-on shipping during registration and we'll mail it to you. Both events, the 5K and the 1 mile, are open to runners and walkers alike. The 5K is a chip-timed event; the 1 mile is not timed but there is a clock running at the finish line for you to check your time as you cross. This event benefits the We Care House of Winston-Salem. The mission of the We Care House is to meet the physical needs of the people in order to position them so their spiritual needs can be met without distraction. The We Care House is an outreach of St. Peter’s that provides food to the local community. Participants are asked to bring at least 3 canned food items to donate to the We Care House food bank. The need is currently overwhelming and the food drive has a huge impact. All items are needed but breakfast items tend to run out the quickest (grits, pancake mix, syrup, oatmeal). In addition to canned goods, other items that are helpful are dry pinto beans, rice, potato flakes, spaghetti, etc. The event takes place at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds which has PLENTY of parking and room for everyone. The course is a USATF Certified 5K course and a 1 mile fun run/walk. Finally, you don’t have to sit around the house all day waiting for the turkey to finish baking. Place that turkey in the oven and come join the fun at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds! The race will begin at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds off Deacon Blvd just across the street from BB&T Field/Stadium. With the incredible year to year growth of this event we have designed this course to accommodate the participants and families. The course runs near BB&T Field/Stadium, Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and the Deacon Baseball field stadium. Given that the course is USATF Certified, final run times will go toward state and national records. Bring your family and out-of-town guests for a great start to the Thanksgiving morning. Strollers and dogs (leashed and well-behaved around crowds/other dogs) are welcome to join the fun! No scooters, bikes, or wheeled recreational vehicles are allowed on course. The awards are very unique for this event. Turkeys will be given to the Top 3 Overall Male & Female and Top 3 Overall Masters Male & Female. All participants in the 5K will receive Long Sleeve T-shirts, one-mile fun run participants have the option to purchase a shirt during registration. Finisher Medals for every participant (both the 5K and one-mile fun run)!