The Duck Turkey Trot 5K returns to the Town of Duck on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026, at 9 a.m., giving runners, walkers, families and visitors a fun way to kick off the holiday in the Outer Banks. Presented by Carolina Designs Realty and produced by the Outer Banks Track Club, the Thanksgiving morning event features a scenic 5K, festive costumes, post-race food and drinks, and a chance to support youth running opportunities in Dare County.
Registration opens September 1, and organizers are encouraging participants to sign up early. The 2025 Duck Turkey Trot sold out less than a month before Thanksgiving, and registration for the 2026 race will remain open only until the event reaches capacity.
The Duck Turkey Trot continues the tradition of the former Advice 5K Turkey Trot, which brought generations of Outer Banks residents and visitors together each year. After a three-year hiatus, the race returned to Duck in 2025 and is back again this year, bringing the community together for a festive start to the holiday and a few good reasons to get out of bed before the turkey goes in the oven.
The celebration begins Wednesday evening with packet pickup at Swells’a Brewing Duck Dive Bar in Duck. Participants can pick up their race materials, connect with fellow runners and walkers, meet some of the event’s sponsors and get into the spirit for the 5K the following morning.
The 5K begins on Thursday at 9 a.m. on Christopher Drive adjacent to Scarborough Faire, welcoming runners and walkers of all abilities. The scenic course winds through the streets and neighborhoods of Duck, with views toward the ocean before returning to the downtown area and finishing near the starting line on Christopher Drive.
The Duck Turkey Trot’s popular costume contest gives participants another reason to dress for the occasion, with prizes awarded for Best Thanksgiving Costume, Most Ducky Costume and Best Group Costume. Contest registration will take place at the Costume Contest Table from 8 to 10 a.m.; a race bib is required to participate. The event will also feature additional prizes, including pies generously provided by Sweaterbox Confections. Pies will be awarded to the first male and female finishers, with other prizes awarded at random.
After crossing the finish line, the Thanksgiving celebration continues at Treehouse Cafe and Coffee in Scarborough Faire. The post-race celebration will feature refreshments, coffee, hot chocolate, post-race food, and Swells’a Brewing Duck Dive Bar on-site to keep the festivities going. Every race registration includes a T-shirt and swag bag, giving participants something to take home along with their Thanksgiving morning memories.
“We’re excited to bring the Duck Turkey Trot back for another Thanksgiving morning in Duck,” said Gray Berryman of the Outer Banks Track Club. “Whether you run the whole course, walk with your family or come out in costume just to have some fun, it’s a great way to start Thanksgiving and be part of the Duck community.”
The Duck Turkey Trot is made possible through the support of local sponsors and community partners. Sponsorship and donation opportunities remain available for businesses, organizations and individuals interested in supporting the event and youth running opportunities in Dare County.
The Outer Banks Track Club is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the local running community and creating opportunities for youth runners in Dare County. The organization supports scholarships, camps, equipment, races, clinics, track facility improvements and travel opportunities for student-athletes.
Registration for the 2026 Duck Turkey Trot 5K opens September 1. Whether you’re ready to run, walk, dress up or simply come out to cheer, there’s no better way to spend Thanksgiving morning in Duck. Come for the 5K, stay for the costumes, food, friends and festivities and find out why the Duck Turkey Trot is the best party on Thanksgiving morning.
Visit the Outer Banks Track Club website for more information at https://www.outerbankstrack.com/.
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