Turkey Trots and Holiday Races around Columbus

Whether you’re a serious runner, or just want to have some fun with a festive walk, there are so many Thanksgiving Turkey Trots and and Festive Christmas and Holiday Races and Walks around Columbus.

Gather your friends, some festive gear and lace up your running or walking shoes!

Most of these holiday races have great swag bags, and are for great causes, so pick your favorite or do a couple! You won’t have to wait until the New Year to start on a fitness resolution!

Turkey Trots and Holiday Races around Columbus in November

Sketchers Hot Chocolate Run

WHEN: Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 7:30 a.m. 
WHERE: McFerson Commons Arena District, Columbus, Ohio
COST: $49*-$59 for 5K, $59*-$59 for 10K, $69*-$79 for 15K (*Early bird special before Nov 2). Register
GOODIE BAG: Finishers get an official Hot Chocolate medal and the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k goodie bag featuring a full-zip jacket. Need a boost during the race? There are sweet stations along the course! The sweet stations will include marshmallows, chocolate chips and M&Ms to enjoy along your way. You’ll also enjoy hot chocolate (of course), chocolate, and other goodies after the race.

Powell Turkey Trot

WHEN: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. 
WHERE: Village Green Park
COST: starts at $45
GOODIE BAG: Each participant ages 21 and over will receive a super soft finishers shirt, metal, craft beer to take home (21 and over only). Register by November 15th!
KIDS RUN: Wobble ‘Till You Gobble Kids 1/4 mile fun run at 8 a.m. for $13. Participants get a race bib and shirt at packet pickup, a finisher medal, and snack upon completion of the race.

Flying Feather Four Miler

WHEN: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 9 am.
WHERE: The Club at Corazón, Dublin, Ohio
COST: $50-$60. Register.
GOODIE BAG: All runners and walkers 21 and over receive a premium hoodie, finisher’s medal, and a bottle of wine for the Thanksgiving Table (wine only available on race day for in-person runners).
KIDS RUN: Kids Gobbler Chase (less than 1/4 mile) starts at 8:30 for kids 10 and under ($15). All participants in the Kids’ Gobbler Chase receive a race shirt and finisher’s medal, and a Hog Mollies book courtesy of the Second & 7 Foundation!

The Flying Feather Four Miler benefits the 2nd & 7 Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Columbus whose mission is to promote reading by providing free books and positive role models to kids in need while encouraging young athletes of the community to pay it forward.

Chase Columbus Turkey Trot

WHEN: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 9 a.m. for 5 Miler and 9:10 am for 2.6 Miler, and a Tot Trot. 
WHERE: Shops on Lane Avenue located at 1675 W Lane Avenue, Upper Arlington
COST: $55-$60 for the 5 miler and 2.6 miler, and $25 for the tot trot. Register
GOODIE BAG: Every participant of the 5 miles and 2.6 miles receive a long sleeve 1/4 ” zips”, custom designed finisher’s medal with ribbon, and more.
KIDS RUN: Tot Trot: 8:30am. Tot Trot is just $25.

They are having a food drive; bring unexpired/non-perishable food to contribute.

New Albany Thanksforgiving 4 Miler and kids run

WHEN: Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025 at 8:30 am
WHERE: Market Square in New Albany
COST: NO OFFICIAL FEE! You can give as much or as little as you want. The goal is to feed as many families in Central Ohio as possible. 100% of net proceeds are donated to local nonprofits. You decide on the donation – and how many meals you want to provide. They are also collecting canned goods for the New Albany Food Pantry. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Each Thanksforgiving 4 Miler registration donation of $40 or more comes with an awesome vintage tri-blend shirt. 
KIDS RUN: 200 meter dash at 8:15 a.m. Participants receive a medal

Thanksgiving Wattle

WHEN: Thursday, November 27, 2025
WHERE: Lamplighter Drive, Grove City, OH US 43123
COST: starts at $40 for the 5k and the Rotisserie Roll, discounts for under 13 and over 60, and group entries. Register here
BIKE RIDE: Rotisserie Roll 12 Mile Bicycle Ride Around Grove City. Controlled Group Ride with Police Bike Support. Start to be approximately 12 minutes earlier than Wattle 5K. 
GOODIE BAG: 5K Runner and walker finishers get long sleeve t-shirts, chip timing, pumpkin pies and finish line refreshments
KIDS RUN: 100-200 Yard Primrose Children’s Run For the Pantry. 8:30am Start Time: $15.00; Ages 2-8.
ADAPTIVE EVENT: Turkey Leg 100 8:40 am Start Time; $20; For Disabled Athletes and their Aides; No Age restrictions. This covers the normal 5K Swag: a Long Sleeve T Shirt, a race ID Bib (no chip), a Medal, a Pumpkin Pie, and Finish Line Area refreshments.

The Delaware Turkey Trot 5K, 2 mile & Kid’s Fun Run

WHEN: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 8:30 am
WHERE: E Winter St. in Downtown Delaware
COST: $40-$55. depending on date of registration. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Autism Society Central Ohio. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Each participant receives a long-sleeved t-shirt, a finisher medal, a drawstring bag, and a single serve dessert
KIDS RUN: Kids’ Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. for kids ages 8 and under (2 ages groups; 4 and under, and 5-8). Goodie bag for kids includes a draw string bag, medal, and a t-shirt. Registration is $12-$20.

Groveport Eye on the Pie 5K

WHEN: Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025 at 8:30 am (fun run) and 9 am (5K)
WHERE: Groveport Park
COST: $40-$50 for 5K. Register here 
GOODIE BAG: 5K registration includes a T-Shirt and a whole pie…yum! 

Circleville Turkey Trot

WHEN: Thanksgiving, November 27, 2025. Fun 5k run/walk to raise money for Pickaway County Fresh Produce Market
WHERE: St. Philip’s Church in Circleville
COST: $30-$35. Register here

Honda Federal Credit Union Pumpkin Dash 5k

WHEN: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 9 am. Virtual option available.
WHERE: 215 W.5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040
COST: $30-$40. Register
GOODIE BAG: 5k participants receive Long Sleeve T-Shirt, Custom Race Medal, Race Photographs
KIDS RUN: Little Pumpkin Dashers is free for ages 1-6.

Leftover Run 5K

WHEN: Friday, November 28, 2025 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Rd, Dublin
COST: $20. Details
GOODIE BAG: It’s leftover time! There are leftover race numbers, race shirts, and medals from events over the past few years. When you arrive you’ll get your choice of a race shirt in your preferred size. When you finish, you’ll get your choice of a medal.

Columbus Hungry Turkey Run 5k/10k and 1/3 Marathon

WHEN: Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. 
WHERE: Genoa Park, 333 W Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
COST: $35-$60 for 5k, $35-$70 for 10k. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Choice of hooded sweatshirt or long sleeve race shirt, festive hat or tutu, medal, and finish line donuts or personal pie
KIDS RUN: 9 a.m. $30-$35 (w/swag), Free – $5 (no swag). Kids Dash finishers will receive a sweet treat.

Christmas Themed Holiday Races around Columbus

Jingle Bell Run or Walk

WHEN: Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 8 a.m.
WHERE: Genoa Park, 303 W Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
COST: $35 – $55 for 1 mile, untimed 5k, and timed 5k. Details here
GOODIE BAG: Long sleeve t-shirt, jingle bells, bib, finish line food and drink, and more fun until noon.
KIDS RUN: Kids Run – Reduced rate for ages 12 & under.

Support the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis this December

Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash

WHEN: Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Creekside Gahanna
COST: $15 – $45. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Santa Race 5K participants get a medal, holiday hat, and a long sleeve t-shirt.
KIDS RUN: Little Reindeer Dash for ages 6 and under at 9 a.m. 

Rudolph 5K Run/Walk hosted by Westerville Lions Club

WHEN: Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. 
WHERE: Westerville Sports Complex
COST: $30-$45. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Long sleeve t-shirts printed by Rising Moon Custom Apparel (while supplies last) that will be included in race bags for registrants as well as other items. All participants will also receive a Rudolph Run finisher medal.
DETAILS: The Westerville Lions Rudolph Run/Walk 5K is a family-encouraged 5K event which will kick off the Westerville Lions Children’s Christmas Parade (taking place directly after the race). Costumes encouraged.

Join the Westerville Lions Rudolph Run/Walk 5K this holiday season!

NC4K Reindeer Run 5K/1 Mile

WHEN: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 9 a.m. 
WHERE: National Veterans Memorial and Museum
COST: $30-$45. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Race t-shirt and Rooftop Reindeer Party at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and enjoy FREE Chick-fil-A!
KIDS RUN: $5. Kids fun run and 1 mile family walk available

Hot Chocolate & Eggnog 6k, 12k, 18k & Kids Dash

WHEN: Saturday, December 20, 2025 Kids Run – 10:00am, 6k, 12k and 18k – 10:15am
WHERE: Sharon Woods Metro Park, 6911 Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43081
COST: $30-$80; based on registration date. Register here.
GOODIE BAG: Every participant will receive hot chocolate, yummy eggnog, finish line race video, race photos, choice of either a race mug, tutu, holiday hat or the option to upgrade to a long sleeve ring spun shirt, finisher medals, custom race bibs, a chip timed race, instant results, snacks, fruit, refreshments, scenic race course, photo opp in front of a pair of 10ft and 15ft inflatable reindeer as well as a 20ft snowman (weather dependent), FREE parking and more!
KIDS RUN: $30-$35, or free/$5 without a tshirt.

Run the Lights!

This is your unique opportunity to run the light show at the Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights! It’s like no other run (or walk)! Get to see all the lights in this very special experience. This is the only public run through the light show – normally only cars are permitted through it.
WHEN: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 5 am – 7 am
WHERE: Alum Creek State Park / Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, 3311 S Old State Rd 43212, Delaware, OH 43015
OPTIONS: 3 or 6 miles. Runners will start in waves.
COST: $38-$50. On-site parking passes for $10, or ride the free shuttle from the Berlin Station Firehouse or Olentangy Berlin High School. Register here. 
GOODIE BAG: Holiday Light-Up Hat, Winter Gloves, or Tritan Sports Water Bottle. Snowman Finish Line Medal, Ticket to Westerville Winterfest Post-Race Party (12/14), $5 off Fantasy of Lights Drive-Thru Entry, Gift from Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians. Top 3 in each wave receive special medals! 

Run the Lights at Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights!

See more races throughout the year in Central Ohio!

Run or Walk – 5k Races in Columbus for 2025