Des Moines Turkey Trot

NOV
27
2025
Celebrate Thanksgiving with the Des Moines Turkey Trot as runners weave past the State Capitol and Historic East Village. Choose 5K, 5 mile, Tot Trot for kids or a virtual option at one of Iowa's largest and most celebrated turkey trots.
Thu 27 Nov 2025
5 miles 5 kilometers

Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.

Event details

The Des Moines Turkey Trot takes place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. The event location is 208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309. The event program includes the following distances:

  • 5K
  • 5 Mile
  • 200 meter Tot Trot
  • Virtual Trot

The Tot Trot is open to children ages 8 and under. A family entry option is available for four people. The page shows an available number of spots for the Tot Trot (165 spots left). The event has been named one of the "Top Turkey Trots In The Country" by Runners World Magazine and is described as Iowa's largest Thanksgiving Day tradition.

Course and route

The start is near the Des Moines Courthouse in the Court Ave Entertainment District. Both the 5K and 5-mile routes cross the Des Moines River and pass through the Historic East Village. Runners follow a route that includes a slight uphill around the State Capitol Complex, then a downhill section. The 5-mile course continues to the Botanical Center, returns across the Women's Achievement Bridge, and finishes through the heart of downtown Des Moines. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

5 mi
5 Mile
5 km
200 Meter Tot Trot
Virtual Trot

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