Ames Turkey Trot
Ames · starts 9:00 AM
5KKids' run
Usually 30°F at 9:00 AM, feels like 21°F
Includes: T-Shirt
$40
$45 from Oct 29
Iowa turkey trots 2026
18 races in Iowa on Thanksgiving morning, the first starts at 6:00 AM, entries start at $20. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov 26.
Thanksgiving morning in Des Moines
Usually 30°F at 8 AM, feeling like 22°F
In 18 of the last 20 years it was between 18°F and 50°F at 8 AM. It was at or below freezing 12 times. Counting wind chill, it felt that cold in 16 of 20. Rain or snow fell at start time in 1 of 20. Typical wind is 9mph.
Coldest
10°F
2014, felt like -1°F
Warmest
54°F
2012, 14mph wind
Last year
21°F
2025, felt like 14°F
8 AM on every Thanksgiving since 2006
TemperatureFelt likeAt or below freezing
32°F
20062025
Prices going up soon
Prices checked Oct 16Hover a dot to see its races; click to jump to them in the list.
18 races
Register
Ankeny Turkey Trot 5K
Ankeny · starts 8:45 AM
5KKids' runVirtual option
Usually 29°F at 8:45 AM, feels like 21°F
Includes: Unisex Event Shirt
$39.99
Boone FLEXgivin' 5K
Boone · starts 8:00 AM
5K
Usually 29°F at 8:00 AM, feels like 20°F
Includes: T-Shirt
$35
Flint Hills Turkey Trot
Burlington · starts 9:00 AM
5K
Usually 33°F at 9:00 AM, feels like 25°F
Includes: Turkey Socks
$20
Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk
Cedar Rapids · starts 8:45 AM
5KKids' runVirtual option
Usually 29°F at 8:45 AM, feels like 20°F
Includes: Unisex Event Shirt
$39.99
5th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk
Charles City · starts 8:00 AM
5K
Usually 26°F at 8:00 AM, feels like 16°F
Includes: Hoodie Sweatshirt
$35
$40 from Nov 3
YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley McCarthy-Bush Turkey Trot
Davenport · starts 8:00 AM
5K5 mi1 miKids' runVirtual option
Usually 33°F at 8:00 AM, feels like 23°F
Includes: T-Shirt
$42
The Des Moines Turkey Trot
Des Moines · starts 9:00 AM
5KKids' runVirtual option
Usually 32°F at 9:00 AM, feels like 22°F
$50
$54 from Nov 1
Turkey Trot at Wahlert High School
Dubuque · starts 9:00 AM
2.5 mi
Usually 30°F at 9:00 AM, feels like 21°F
$20
Hawkeye Turkey Trot
Iowa City · starts 9:00 AM
5KKids' run
Usually 31°F at 9:00 AM, feels like 22°F
Includes: Crew Neck Sweatshirt
$45
$50 from Nov 5
62nd Annual Turkey Trot Iowa's Oldest Road Race. A beloved family tradition.
Johnston · starts 9:30 AM
5 mi2 mi
Usually 32°F at 9:30 AM, feels like 22°F
Marshalltown Area United Way Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Fun Run
Marshalltown · starts 8:00 AM
5K10KKids' run
Usually 28°F at 8:00 AM, feels like 20°F
Includes: T-Shirt
$35
Reshape Fitness Studio Turkey Trot
Panora · starts 8:00 AM
3 mi
Usually 31°F at 8:00 AM, feels like 21°F
2026 Central Lyon Student Council Turkey Trot
Rock Rapids · starts 8:30 AM
5K1 mi
Usually 26°F at 8:30 AM, feels like 17°F
Includes: Turkey Trot T-Shirt
$30
Turkey Trot 5K
Waterloo · starts 8:00 AM
5K
Usually 26°F at 8:00 AM, feels like 18°F
$25
Get Roasted Turkey Trot 5K
Waverly · starts 7:45 AM
5KKids' run
Usually 26°F at 7:45 AM, feels like 17°F
Includes: T-Shirt
$35
FAM Turkey Trot
West Des Moines · starts 9:00 AM
5KVirtual option
Usually 33°F at 9:00 AM, feels like 22°F
Includes: T-Shirt
$30
$35 from Nov 11
2026 Turkey Trot
West Union · starts 6:00 AM
5K
Usually 28°F at 6:00 AM, feels like 18°F
Includes: T-Shirt
$25
Iowa turkey trots by town
Iowa turkey trot questions
- When are the Iowa turkey trots in 2026?
- All 18 races are on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026. The earliest starts at 6:00 AM: 2026 Turkey Trot (West Union). 16 of the 18 with a published start time go off between 8 and 10 AM.
- Are there free turkey trots in Iowa?
- None of the 18 we list is free. The cheapest entry right now is Flint Hills Turkey Trot (Burlington) at $20.
- Which Iowa turkey trots have a 10K or longer?
- 1 of 18: Marshalltown Area United Way Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Fun Run (Marshalltown).
- Which Iowa turkey trots have a kids' run?
- 8 of 18 add a kids' dash or fun run: Ames Turkey Trot (Ames), Ankeny Turkey Trot 5K (Ankeny), Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk (Cedar Rapids), Get Roasted Turkey Trot 5K (Waverly), Hawkeye Turkey Trot (Iowa City) and 3 more.
- Do Iowa turkey trot prices go up before race day?
- 5 of 18 have a higher price coming. The soonest is Ames Turkey Trot (Ames), going from $40 to $45 on Oct 29.
- How cold is Thanksgiving morning in Des Moines?
- At 8 AM it's usually 30°F, feeling like 22°F. Over the last 20 Thanksgivings it ranged from 10°F in 2014 to 54°F in 2012. It was at or below freezing in 12 of those years.
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Turkey trots in nearby states
Turkey trots in every state·Running a longer race this fall? Racecast forecasts race day for 1,100+ marathons and half marathons. Find your race
Race details and prices come from each race's sign-up page, checked Oct 16. Always confirm the start time and price there before you go. Registration links may earn Racecast a commission at no cost to you. Racecast isn't affiliated with these races. Weather is the 8 AM-hour (or start-hour) average for Thanksgiving 2006 to 2025 from Open-Meteo's historical weather.