Rescue Mission of Roanoke Drumstick Dash
Roanoke, VA
- 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Drumstick Dash is a 5k run and family walk that happens every Thanksgiving Morning. The DASH benefits the Rescue Mission of Roanoke’s dining services and provides for the meals that the Rescue Mission serves on an annual basis. We typically serve about 200,000+ meals a year to those in … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 26):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 70 | 61 | 50 | 62 | 53 |
| L (°F) | 43 | 38 | 27 | 38 | 31 |
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Fun vibe, family event
Being that this is a Thanksgiving morning race, you can expect to find families racing together. There are two options for registration: timed run or untimed walk (discounted fee). The … MORE
Being that this is a Thanksgiving morning race, you can expect to find families racing together. There are two options for registration: timed run or untimed walk (discounted fee). The untimed walk does not receive a timing bib and they line up in a separate area from the timed participants. After all timed participants get through the start line then the untimed participants may begin. The timed participant starting area has corral suggestions but many casual runners and walkers do not appear to line up accordingly. So, you can expect to spend quite a bit of weaving around slower people in the first half mile of the race. The course was slightly hilly for Roanoke, there was one water stop on course, and multiple places with live music.
Thanksgiving Day tradition
This year there was drizzle at the start of the race however it was still a fun event. Course was a bit challenging due to many turns and congestion. Fun … MORE
This year there was drizzle at the start of the race however it was still a fun event. Course was a bit challenging due to many turns and congestion. Fun finisher’s medal and post-race banana and granola bar were welcome. 2404 timed finishers this year plus lots of untimed participants make this Roanoke’s most attended race of the year.