Early Bird Turkey Trot 5K, 10K, 15K, & Half Marathon
About the race
The Early Bird Turkey Trot takes place Saturday 11/21/2026 in Kennesaw.
Guidelines are the same as in prior years. Please note the specific dates in order to qualify for a complimentary race entry.
Two weeks before Thanksgiving in 2011, we decided to give back to all the participants who raced with us over the course of the year. Thanksgiving morning seemed the perfect time, and a FREE race the perfect way to say thanks. We continue that tradition.
The Early Bird Race is the same as Thanksgiving Day, but you can race on Saturday November 21st in Marietta/Kennesaw if you want to.
Free entry eligibility
If you crossed our finish line in any race from Dec. 1, 2025 to Nov. 14, 2026, you have earned a FREE 5K spot in ONE of the in-person Turkey Trot races. Running one of our Turkey Trots last year does NOT qualify for a free entry.
If you've raced with us this year...your entry is Free. Your registration will be verified, so please be sure.
Entry for non-racers this year
If you have not crossed our finish line this year, you can still join us for $22 ($25 race day), in-person or virtual.
Cancellation policy
Athletes can cancel their registration, but no refund is given.
Refunds are not allowed for this race.
The course
Location
City insight: Kennesaw
Kennesaw is a suburban city northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, Georgia, United States, within the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. It is home to Kennesaw State University, the third-largest public university in Georgia, and the city has a place in railroad history through the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. 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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