Turkey Trot 5K & Giblet Jog 1M To Benefit the United Way of Bartow County
About the race
The annual United Way Turkey Trot 5K & 1M Giblet Jog benefitting the United Way of Bartow County is back on Saturday, November 21, 2026. It is one of Cartersville's favorite Thanksgiving week traditions.
This family-friendly event is about fun, fitness, and community. Whether you are running to beat your personal best, enjoying a brisk walk, or looking to kick off the holiday season, the Turkey Trot is the place to be.
Race time is 9:00 AM at Sam Smith Park, just outside of downtown Cartersville. This is a North Georgia tradition.
Courses & distances
Turkey Trot 5K
Distance: 5K
Starts: Sat, Nov 21 · 9:00 AM
Giblet Jog 1M
Distance: 2 Miles
Starts: Sat, Nov 21 · 9:05 AM
Race registration
- Online registration runs until 11:59 PM, Sunday, November 14. You must register by this date to guarantee your T-shirt size and the reduced rate.
- Race day registration rate: $40 for the 5K / $35 for the 1M.
Race location
Sam Smith Park
For the exact race location, use this address in Google Maps: 152 Milner Rd., SE, Cartersville, GA 30120
Start, finish and parking
- The start and finish lines are at the entrance to the Sam Smith Soccer Complex, behind Cartersville Middle School (off Milner Road, just past the intersection of Milner Rd. and Walnut Grove Rd.).
- Plenty of event parking is available in the Cartersville Soccer Complex / Ric Mason Fields parking lot off Milner Rd.
Race day schedule
- 7:45 AM Race day registration
- 8:55 AM Pre-race announcements
- 9:00 AM 5K Turkey Trot race start
- 9:05 AM 1M Giblet Jog race start
- 10:00 AM Awards presentation
Packet pickup
Pre-race packet pickup for pre-registered runners is Friday, November 20, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Big Peach Running Co., 402 E. Church St., Cartersville, GA 30121.
Pick up your packet on Friday to avoid the lines on Saturday morning.
5K awards
- Top 3 overall male and top 3 overall female
- Top masters male and top masters female
- Top 3 male and female in each age category: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over
Top 8 winners also earn a frozen turkey.
The course
Race route
In 2026 the route returns to its traditional course, with a small tweak here or there.
Weather
This is a rain or shine event.
Location
City insight: Cartersville
Cartersville is a city in and the county seat of Bartow County, Georgia, located on the northwest edge of the Atlanta metropolitan area. It had a population of 23,187 at the 2020 census. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters, so spring and autumn are the best seasons to race.
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