History
The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is a popular annual Thanksgiving Day running event in Dallas, Texas. It began in 1967 with just 107 runners covering a 3-mile course. Over the years, it has grown significantly, now attracting over 20,000 participants and thousands of spectators. The event features both a 5K and a 10K race, making it accessible to runners of all levels. In 2011, it set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys. The race has become a beloved tradition for many families, featuring a kids' race and a post-race festival.
Proceeds
Funds raised from the 2026 Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot will support the mission of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Proceeds from the event help ensure the Y can continue to strengthen communities through programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. These funds will make a lasting impact on individuals and families across Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, Southern Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, and Cooke counties by helping expand access to life-changing YMCA programs and services.
TURKEY TROT HALL OF FAME
Nominate a Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot Hall of Fame Honoree
The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot Hall of Fame recognizes the runners, volunteers, sponsors, and community leaders who have made the Turkey Trot one of North Texas’s most iconic Thanksgiving traditions. From longtime participants to inspiring community champions, honorees represent a legacy of health, service, and impact.
Know someone who deserves to be recognized for their dedication to the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot? Submit a Hall of Fame nomination and help celebrate the individuals who have shaped this historic Thanksgiving race and strengthened our community.