🌟 2026 Details are subject to change! 🌟
Race Details
Celebrate and give thanks to the Highland Park community at the 2026 North Shore Turkey Trot! Choose from the 5K, 10K, or Kids’ Trot —perfect for walkers and runners alike who want to move a little before the big family feast begins. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up and join us for an incredible pre-feast celebration in Highland Park on November 26.
Course
Date: November 26, 2026
Location: Highland Park, IL (St. Johns Ave. and Central Ave.)
5K Start Time: 8:00 AM
10K Start Time: 8:00 AM
Course Description
The North Shore Turkey Trot boasts two USATF-certified courses—stuffed full of beautiful views through the North Shore community! Each route will utilize a single loop that is closed to traffic. Aid stations will be located throughout the courses.
The start line is located at the intersection of St. Johns Ave. and Central Ave. Runners will enter the start corrals from the west side of the start line. The finish line is located at St. Johns Ave. and Elm. Gear check, restrooms, and the Turkey Trot post-race party will take place in the lot at Highland Park.
Course Cutoffs
To ensure a timely event and reopen streets to the residents of Highland Park, participants must “make tracks” and meet the following course cutoff times.
9:08 AM– Sheridan Rd & Vine
All participants must be through the intersection by 9:08 AM. 10K runners who do not make this time requirement will be diverted to the 5K race.
9:28 AM – Walker Ave. & Patten Rd.
All participants must be through the intersection by 9:28 AM. 10K participants who do not make this time requirement will be diverted to continue west on Walker Ave. to St. Johns.
Packet Pick-Up
There will be no race day packet pick-up. If you are unable to make it to packet pick-up, please look at the Will Call info in the drop down below.
Avoid long lines by picking up your race packet on Saturday.
Location: Fleet Feet Deerfield
800 Waukegan Rd.,
Deerfield, IL 60015
Saturday, November 21, 2026:
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday, November 24, 2026:
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, November 25, 2026:
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Packet Mailing
Save time on packet pick-up by adding on packet mailing at registration! Already registered? Don’t worry! You can add it on through your EnMotive account. Please note, we are unable to mail out packets after the packet mailing deadline has passed. Packet mailing will close on November 8, 2026, and packets will begin to ship on that date. You will receive a notification when your package ships.
đź“Ł Attention:đź“Ł
We highly recommend getting your race packet this Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid long lines. Don’t be the last turkey standing in line!
Parking
Parking in downtown Highland Park is plentiful on the street and in various public garages. However, it is important to remind our participants not to park in private lots intended for customers of these businesses. This is strictly prohibited and could lead to your vehicle being towed. Please check all signage and make sure you’re allowed to park there. Get more information on public parking in Highland Park.
2026 Map Subject to Change.
Kids’ Trot
Start Time: 10:00 AM
2-4 year olds (50 yards) Start Time: 10:00 AM
5-6 year olds (1/4 mile) Start Time: 10:00 AM
7-10 year olds (1/2 mile) Start Time: 10:00 AM
Staging for the Kids’ Trot will take place on St. Johns, just north of Elm St. at 9:45 AM. The little gobblers will step off at 10:00 AM.
One parent or guardian will be allowed in the finish chute and must have the “Parent Reunite” tab from their Kids Trot bib with them.
Pre-Feast Celebration
The holiday fun doesn’t stop once you cross the finish line! Warm up your feathers at the Turkey Trot Post-Race Party where runners will be treated to sweet pie, warm apple cider, music, and more!
Awards
Overall awards will be given to the top male and female in the 5K and 10K. Winners will receive:
1st Place:
A family sized pie and $100 Fleet Feet gift voucher.
2nd Place:
A family sized pie and $50 Fleet Feet gift voucher.
3rd Place:
A family sized pie and $25 Fleet Feet gift voucher.
Age Groups
Age group awards will be given to the top three male and female winners in the following age groups: 14 and under, 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, 80-84, 85+.
Wheelchair Division
Overall Wheelchair awards will be given to the top male and female in the Wheelchair Division.
Ready to Run?
If you are looking for a fun and festive way to start your Thanksgiving Day, the North Shore Turkey Trot is the perfect event for you. Register today and join the thousands of other runners who make this race a tradition every year. Didn’t get the answers you need? Visit our FAQ page.
Event Alert System
A color-coded Event Alert System (EAS) will communicate the status of course conditions to participants leading up to and on race day. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based primarily on the weather, as well as other conditions.
Current Conditions – Green/Low
Email and website communication during race week will inform participants of the current Event Alert System status and provide preparation tips based on advance weather forecasts.
Updates will be made at the participant packet pick-up area and public address announcements.
On race day, the current Event Alert System status will be communicated via public address announcements and color-coded signs/flags at the start and finish areas, and along the course at aid station locations and locations around the stadium.
All participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System prior to the race, remain alert for directions from race officials and announcers and take precautions to prepare properly for varying weather conditions on race day.