Skinny Turkey Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Raleigh, NC
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Miler, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Before the turkey hits the table, hit the pavement. Kick off your Thanksgiving morning at the Skinny Turkey Run — one of Raleigh’s favorite holiday traditions. Grab your friends, bring the family, leash up the pup, and start the day with miles instead of mashed potatoes. Choose your distance:Half Marathon10k5k1-Mile … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 26):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 73 | 68 | 49 | 65 | 54 |
| L (°F) | 60 | 44 | 38 | 35 | 35 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Half marathon canceled due to lightning
A friend of mine has run this event for at least 10 years and she said this was the first time that any of the distances were canceled due to … MORE
A friend of mine has run this event for at least 10 years and she said this was the first time that any of the distances were canceled due to weather. Since the city was unable to provide course support for an extended time and the race was forced to wait out a lightning delay, the half marathoners were given the option of completing a half virtually OR moving to the 10k distance. Most people chose to run the 10k, as I did. We still received the same medal. I know many people were disappointed to not be able to run the full half marathon distance, but kudos to the race director for looking out for the runners’ safety.
Even the 5k has hills
Adding to my prior reviews: 2023 shirt was optional (for a fee); 5k registration included socks, 10k had choice of socks or gloves; half got both. The ONLY Thanksgiving Day … MORE
Adding to my prior reviews: 2023 shirt was optional (for a fee); 5k registration included socks, 10k had choice of socks or gloves; half got both.
The ONLY Thanksgiving Day run in Raleigh that offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and kid’s dash, and all are stroller and dog friendly.
I ran the half marathon, which had basically two different out and back sections. My watch registered over 940 feet of gain, so there’s plenty of hills. The races started at different times, so the beginning wasn’t crowded. The half merged with the 5k runners around mile 5, then merged with the 10k runners just before mile 6. Since the course was on roads, there was plenty of room for everyone.
There’s ample parking, a cute medal, soft t-shirt, and packets can be picked up on race morning,
The post-race offered a small water bottle, half a banana and bag of chips.
Best Thanksgiving Day Race!
I love this race...in part, because I want to burn off 1300+ caleories BEFORE I sit down for a large Thanksgiving meal. In fact, at least for me, I tend … MORE
I love this race…in part, because I want to burn off 1300+ caleories BEFORE I sit down for a large Thanksgiving meal. In fact, at least for me, I tend to eat less after a long run because I think “Wow…I just worked hard to burn calories; I don’t need another piece of pie which would mean I didn’t benefit as much from my hard effort.”
…and it’s the The ONLY Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon in the area (Raleigh, NC).
Yes, it is on the somewhat hilly side for races in the Raleigh area, but it’s doable. For me, I probably lose 5-7 minutes becaues of the hills vs. a mostly-flat course.
I also particularly like being able to stay inside Wakefield High School before the race…incluidng using nice (well, high school) indoor bathrooms and greet friends in the warmth of the building. For me, an indoor space to gather before a November-March race is going to add at least one “star” (or “shoe”) to my rating!
It’s also a great neighborhood to run in, and while it’s on the roads, there’s very little traffic on Thanksgiving morning to worry about.
If you are thikning about runinng this race–do it! The Half, the 10K, or the 5K.
Not your typical turkey trot
The ONLY Thanksgiving Day run in Raleigh that offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and kid's dash, and all are stroller and dog friendly. I ran the half … MORE
The ONLY Thanksgiving Day run in Raleigh that offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and kid’s dash, and all are stroller and dog friendly.
I ran the half marathon, which had basically two different out and back sections. My watch registered over 940 feet of gain, so there’s plenty of hills. The races started at different times, so the beginning wasn’t crowded. The half merged with the 5k runners around mile 5, then merged with the 10k runners just before mile 6. Since the course was on roads, there was plenty of room for everyone.
There’s ample parking, a cute medal, soft t-shirt, and packets can be picked up on race morning,
The post-race offered a small water bottle, half a banana and bag of chips.
Very Nice Neighborhood
Hilly Nice homes and scenery and some of the homeowners come out to cheer you on! The director is passionate about their cause. Santa is there every year. The kids … MORE
Hilly
Nice homes and scenery and some of the homeowners come out to cheer you on!
The director is passionate about their cause.
Santa is there every year.
The kids fun run gets a small medal.
Great family event.
Only Thanksgiving Day half in the area
This course had some hills! The volunteers on the course were great. The t-shirt was a long sleeved cotton blend. Plenty of parking, since the race started and finished at … MORE
This course had some hills! The volunteers on the course were great. The t-shirt was a long sleeved cotton blend. Plenty of parking, since the race started and finished at a high school.
Pretty Neighborhood on Hills
I've done this race a few times, mostly the 5k and once the half marathon and decided to do the 10k this time. It's pretty much all the same as … MORE
I’ve done this race a few times, mostly the 5k and once the half marathon and decided to do the 10k this time. It’s pretty much all the same as it results to course— nice neighborhood with lots of up and down (hills). I’ve never had an issue with their production or organization in the last 4 years, they do a good job. The kids run is really good for the little’s. Last year they upgraded their medals and the kids really liked it (probably .20-.25 in distance). Very family oriented.
Overall their medals are really nice and very colorful and fitting for Thanksgiving. This race also has a great cause! I intend to do it yearly.
(Oh– they even have Santa Claus– so great time to get your Santa pics in for free, although he tends to be late.)
HILLS!
Hilliest race course. I've done their 5K a few times and that's hilly. I decided to go for the half and it's just as many hills. Neighborhood was pretty. Some … MORE
Hilliest race course. I’ve done their 5K a few times and that’s hilly. I decided to go for the half and it’s just as many hills. Neighborhood was pretty. Some came out of their homes and cheered us on. It’s a pretty course, just alot of up and down.