About the Race
Chattanooga's longest standing Thanksgiving road race returns this year for its 36th running. This historic family tradition is hosted by the Chattanooga Track Club and Fitness Central, Chattanooga's premier fitness club. Featuring a competitive 4-mile race, a non-competitive 3-mile family walk & fun run and a Kiddie-K (6/10 of a mile), this event offers up a perfect kick-off for a full day of Thanksgiving celebration!
Sign up now to start your Thanksgiving morning with a USATF certified, competitive 4-mile race or a much more leisurely (non-competitive) 3-mile family walk & fun run with your family and favorite furry four-legger. Kids (12 & under) can participate in the Kiddie-K (6/10 of a mile).
Proceeds from the morning's events support the Chattanooga Track Club's youth and adult running and fitness programs designed to promote health and fitness in our community.
Give Strength, Hope, and Support Add a donation during registration to help Survivor Fitness empower cancer survivors through fitness, wellness, and a caring community. Learn more @ survivorfitness.org
Race Events - 4-Mile Timed Race, Kiddie-K, and 3 Mile Family Walk / Jog
Our events Thanksgiving morning will kick off with our most important audience, our kids!! Starting at 8:00 am, boys and girls 12 and under will dash out from the starting line for about a third of a mile before they turn around and charge back for the finish. Always tons of fun, this event has grown each year and we''re looking for even more kids this year! Medals for all, and first place awards for the fastest girl and boy competitors.
At 8:15 am, we will kick off our family walk run which, is our original 3-mile family walk / heading down Brainerd Road to Jubilee Drive and back. This dog-friendly, stroller-friendly event is a great way to ensure your non-racers get their exercise in before the day's later food and family festivities get cranked up! Just a reminder, this is non-cometitive, non-timed event. For runners wanting a timed event, you need to jump up to the 4-mile! :-)
Finally, at 8:30 am, our main event! As runners from last year will recall, our long-standing original 8k (4.8 miles) is now an even 4 miles. Much of the same course (less that hill!) and certified, as always.
The 4-mile distance is relatively unique in Tennessee and this could be your opportunity to set a state record based on your age!!
NEW Times:
Kiddie-K begins at 8:00 am. (6/10 of a mile run for 12-under)
3-Mile Family Walk / Jog begins at 8:15 am
4-Mile Race begins at 8:30 am
Families / Groups of 5 or more: Please contact us via TurkeyTrot @ ChattanoogaTrackClub.org (no spaces) for a personal family / group discount code.
Dogs and strollers are welcome and encouraged in the 3-mile event. Please do be considerate of other participants and especially be sure and try to not cross paths with returning runners who may be working hard to get their best times or catch that one person ahead of them! Dogs should be on leashes, of course!
T-Shirt Availability: In order to guarantee you are able to get your shirt in your size, register as early as possible. You will not be able to select any sizes during registration that have been sold out. You may select an alternate size or you may choose to "Opt Out" and save on the shirt fee. Shirt sizes can be exchanged post-race, if there are any available in your preferred size. No substitutions / exchanges will be allowed before the end of all events. Shirt not picked up by end of race day will not be held for later pickup. Any leftover shirts will be donated to non-profits to help clothe those in need.
Packet Pickup / On-Site Registration
Wed Nov 25 2:00 pm - 6:00pm at Fitness Central
- Pre-Registered t-Shirt / Packet Pick Up as well as day-before race registration will be available Wednesday, November 25 from 12:00 pm- 6 pm at Fitness Central on Lee Hwy.
Thanksgiving Morning at Fitness Central
- 7:00am - 7:45 am at Fitness Central
- KK Day of Race Registration / Bib & t-Shirt Pickup
- 7:00am - 8:00 am at Fitness Central
- 3-Mile Family Walk / Jog Day Of Race Registration / Bib & t-Shirt Pickup
- 4-Mile Day Of Race Registration / Bib & t-Shirt Pickup
Location
Fitness Central
6170 Lee Hwy
Chattanooga, TN 37421
4-Mile and Kiddie K Awards
- 4-Mile Race
- 1st Place Top Overall Winners for male and female
- 1st Place Top Overall Masters Winners for male and female
- 1st Place Top Overall Grand Masters Winners for male and female
- 1st Place Top Overall Senior Grand Masters Winners for male and female
- NEW! Best Costume Award! (Crowd Vote-must be present to win)
- Age Group Awards - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place for male and female in the following age groups:
- 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-79, 80+
- Kiddie K 1st & 2nd Place for male and female
Due to the fast paced nature of the morning, awards cannot be picked up prior to the award announcements. Awards will not be shipped. Winners may make arrangements to pick up their awards at a later date, subject to availbility. .
Map
We will send out emails to all registrants as information here is updated. If you are not on our list and want to be updated with new information, please use the form under the "Ask A Question" tab above or address an email to TurkeyTrot @ ChattanoogaTrackClub.org (no spaces).
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS!
We are incredibly grateful to the amazing businesses and organizations that help make the Fitness Central Turkey Trot possible!
Our 2026 Sponsors & Partners:
- Chattanooga Track Club
- Fitness Central
- Plainview Outdoor Advertising
- East Hamilton Morning Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care
- SmartBank
- Front Runner Athletics
- Fleet Feet Chattanooga
- Five Star Breaktime Solutions
- KZ 106
- Fast Break Athletics
Your support helps us continue this Chattanooga Thanksgiving tradition and bring our community together to RUN • WALK • BE THANKFUL!
Thank you for being part of the Turkey Trot family!
Emily Brewer and Mandee Keith
Race Directors
2026 Fitness Central Turkey Trot
**CTC has a no refund policy. This is due to Planning, Purchasing, Ordering deadlines etc to prepare for a race. We are sorry if circumstances prevent you from participating after you have registered on-line. Thank you for understanding.**
Volunteer Sign Up
