Wobble Before You Gobble: Chicagoland 2021 Turkey Trot Guide

CHICAGO — Thanksgiving "turkey trots" have returned to the Chicago area in 2021, giving residents a chance to move their feet before they eat.

Proceeds from most of the fun runs planned in the city and suburbs in the coming weeks will benefit local charities, including local food banks and scholarship programs. Some races include kid-friendly runs before or after scheduled 5-, 8- or 10-kilometer races.

While many of the runs are scheduled for the morning of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, Trots are also planned for weekends on either side of the holiday.

The tradition dates back to an 8-kilometer Thanksgiving Day race held by the Buffalo YMCA in 1896.

But it's not just Turkey Trots planned this year. Several Christmas-themed runs are planned for the first weekend in December, such as the Santa Hustle, Jingle Dash, Reindeer Run and Elf Invasions.

Most events are all-weather and registration is required, but check with organizers to ensure events are occurring as planned. Find out more about upcoming fall fun runs below in the 2021 Patch Chicagoland Turkey Trot guide, presented in alphabetical order by location.

AURORA

The inaugural Tom-A-Hawk 5K Turkey Trot benefits the Aurora East Educational Foundation and A + Foundation for West Aurora Schools.
When: 9 a.m. Nov. 20
Where: 309 N. River St., Aurora
More info and online registration.

CHICAGO

Organized by the Chicago Park District, the Avondale Turkey Trot is a free family-friendly fun run from Avondale Park to Parkview Park and back.
When: 10 a.m., Nov. 20
Where: 3516 W. School St., Chicago
More info and online registration

The Lifetime Turkey Trot Chicago 5K and 8K supports the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
When: 9 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: 2601 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
More info and online registration

The 2021 Edison Park Turkey Trot benefits The Cradle and the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
When: 9:30 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: 6755 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago
More info and online registration

The Grant Park Turkey Trot 10K and 5K Run/Walk supports Playworks Illinois.
When: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 27
Where: 1501 S. Lake Shore Drive
More info and online registration

The 2021 Santa Hustle 5K Chicago benefits Cal's Angels.
When: 9 a.m., Dec. 4
Where: Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Drive, Chicago
More info and online registration

CRYSTAL LAKE

The McHenry County Santa Run for Kids benefits Main Stay Therapeutic Farm, Count Appointed Special Advocates for Children of McHenry County, Big Brother Big Sisters of McHenry County, Girls on the Run Northwest Illinois, Kiwanis Club of Crystal Lake and Turning Point.
When: 9 a.m., Dec. 5
Where: 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake
More info and online registration

DOWNERS GROVE

The Grove Express 5K benefits the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, Downers Grove Rotary Club and the Roadrunners Soccer Club.
When: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: Main and Grove Street, Downers Grove
More info and online registration

ELMHURST

The 2021 Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot 5K fun run benefits the Dan Gibbons Foundation
When: 9 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: Park Avenue and Adell Place, Elmhurst
More info and online registration

EVANSTON

A portion of the proceeds of the Evanston Flying Turkey 5K 2021 will go toward the Evanston Vineyard Food Pantry and Foundation 65.
When: 9 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: Sheridan Road and Church Street, Evanston
More info and online registration

GLENVIEW

The Glenview Turkey Trot 5K supports the Boys of Girls Clubs of Chicago.
When: 8:30 a.m. kids, 9 a.m. adults, Nov. 20
Where: 1141 Washington St., Glenview
More info and online registration

GURNEE

The 27th annual Joe Callaghan Memorial Turkey Troy 5K Fun Run and Walk benefits the John Callaghan Memorial Fund and the Gurnee Community Church Youth Work Camp.
When: 8 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: 4580 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee
More info and online registration

HIGHLAND PARK

The North Shore Turkey Trot benefits the Highland Park Police Benevolent Association.
When: 8 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: St. Johns Avenue from Central Avenue to Elm Place
More info and online registration

HIGHWOOD

The city's inaugural Elf Invasion 5K Fun Run, Walk and Stroll runs through historic Fort Sheridan.
When: 9 a.m., Dec. 4
Where: 335 Waukegan Ave., Highwood
More information and online registration

HINSDALE

The inaugural Juniors Jingle Dash Community 5K Walk/Run benefits college scholarships for area high school students.
When: 8 a.m., Dec. 5
Where: S. Vine St. & 7th St., Hinsdale
More info and online registration

LA GRANGE

The Pilgrim Pie Run benefits the La Grange Rotary Club.
When: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: 1045 W. Cossitt Ave., La Grange
More info and online registration

LINCOLNWOOD

A portion of the proceeds from the 45th annual Lincolnwood Turkey Trot will benefit the village's parks and recreation scholarship fund.
When: 8:45 a.m. 5K and 10K, 10:20 a.m. Drumstick Dash (age 6 and under), Nov. 21
Where: 7055 N. Kostner Ave., Lincolnwood
More info and online registration

LONG GROVE

The Long Grove Turkey Trot benefits the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
When: 8:15 a.m. Kids Dash , 8:30 a.m. 5K and 8K
Where: 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
More info and online registration

NAPERVILLE

Naperville Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K 2021 is organized by the Naperville Noons Lions Club
When: 8 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville
More info and online registration

NEW LENOX

The Gobbler Gauntlet 5K benefits the New Lenox Community Park District scholarship program.
When: 8 a.m., Nov. 20
Where: 485 Marley Road, New Lenox
More information and online registration

OAK BROOK

The Turkey Day Tri will replace a triathlon's traditional swimming element with stationary rowing.
When: 6 a.m., Nov. 26
Where: 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook
More info and registration

ORLAND HILLS

The 28th annual Orland Hills Turkey Trot race is organized by the Village of Orland Hills.
When: 1 Mile, 9 a.m., 5K 10 a.m., Nov. 13
Where: 16675 S. Haven Ave., Orland Hills
More information

OSWEGO

The Gobbler Hobbler 10K and Mashed Potato Mile is organized by the Oswegoland Park District.
When: 8:30 a.m. 10K, 8:45 a.m. Mashed Potato Mile, Nov. 14
Where: 260 Fox Chase Drive North, Oswego
More info and online registration

PALATINE

The 41st annual Palatine Park District Thanksgiving Day Turkey trot includes 2- and 5-mile distances.
When: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 25
Where: 12100 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine
More info and online registration

SCHAUMBURG

The Schaumburg Half Marathon and 5K Turkey Trot benefits the Fetching Tails Foundation.
When: 8 a.m. Half Marathon, 8:15 a.m. 5K, Nov. 27
Where: 3800 Golf Road, Schaumburg
More info and online registration

ST. CHARLES

The Drumstick Dash 5K Fun Run and Walk is organized by the St. Charles Park District. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy as a donation for Toys for Kids.
When: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 13
Where: Bolcum and Crane roads
More info and registration

WAUKEGAN

Hosted by the Waukegan Park District as part of its Go Waukegan partnership with the Lake County Health Department, the 2021 Turkey Trot will award turkeys to first-place finishers in different age and gender groups.
When: 10 a.m., Nov. 13
Where: 3391 W. Beach Road, Waukegan
More information

WHEATON

The 10th annual Lions Club Reindeer Run is presented by the Wheaton Park District and benefits the Wheaton Lions Club Charities and the DuPage County Historical Museum.
When: 8:30 a.m., Dec. 4
Where: Main Street between Wesley and Front streets
More info and online registration

WINNETKA

The 2021 annual Winnetka Turkey Trot is supporting Wings Organization and includes a new route.
When: 1st Wave, 8 a.m., 9 a.m. family division, Nov. 25
Where: 754 Elm St., Winnetka
More info and online registration

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