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!

Looking for all of the holiday fun in Columbus? Check out these pages!

Turkey Trots and Holiday Races around Columbus in November

The Great Turkey Race & Lil’ Pumpkin Fun Run

WHEN: Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Pickerington Central High School, 300 Opportunity Way, Pickerington, OH US 43147. Virtual race is also available.
COST: $35. Race benefits the Pickerington Central Tiger Lacrosse Booster Club. Register.
GOODIE BAG: T-shirts and finish line goodies
KIDS RUN: Kids Fun Run $15 at 8:30 am

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k

WHEN: Sunday, November 19, 2023 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 October 8th). Register
GOODIE BAG: Finishers get an official Hot Chocolate medal and the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k goodie bag featuring a full-zip hoodie. 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 23, 2023 at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Village Green Park
COST: $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 11th!
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 23, 2023 at 9 am. (Virtual option available)
WHERE: The Club at Corazón, Dublin, Ohio
COST: $45-$55. 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 ($10). 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 23, 2023 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: $50 for the 5 miler and 2 miler, and $15 for the tot trot. Register
GOODIE BAG: Every participant of the 5 miles and 2.6 miles receive a Homage designed t-shirt, handsome finisher’s medal, and more.
KIDS RUN: Tot Trot: 8:30am. Tot Trot is just $15 and all kids get a t-shirt (differs from the Homage shirt), a finisher medal and a finish line treat!

NEW for 2023: This year there will be a canned food drive and a winter clothing drive. Donate unexpired cans and new hats, gloves and scarves to help keep the children of central Ohio warm this winter.

New Albany Thanksforgiving 4 Miler and kids run

WHEN: Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 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 23, 2023
WHERE: Lamplighter Drive, Grove City, OH US 43123
COST: $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 23, 2023 at 8:30 am
WHERE: Held behind Office Max/Kohl’s, in Delaware
COST: $40-$45, 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-$15.

Groveport Eye on the Pie 5K

WHEN: Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 at 8:30 am (fun run) and 9 am (5K)
WHERE: Groveport Park
COST: $30 for 5K, $10 for kids run. Register here
GOODIE BAG: 5K registration includes a T-Shirt and a whole pie…yum! Kids Fun Run registration includes a T-Shirt.

Circleville Turkey Trot

WHEN: Thanksgiving, November 23, 2023. 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
GOODIE BAG: The first 400 to sign up receive a race day shirt, and there will be food and drink after the race.

Honda Federal Credit Union Pumpkin Dash 5k

WHEN: Thursday, November 23, 2023 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 24, 2023 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

WHEN: Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 9:15 a.m.
WHERE: Genoa Park, 333 W Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
COST: $40-$55 for 5k, $50-$65 for 10k. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Choice of hooded sweatshirt or long sleeve race shirt, 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 2, 2023 at 8 a.m.
WHERE: Genoa Park, 303 W Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
COST: $35 – $50 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.

Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash

WHEN: Saturday, December 2, 2023 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 3, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: The race begins and ends on State St (State Route 3) just south of County Line Rd near St. Paul Catholic Church in Westerville
COST: $30-$35. 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.

NC4K Reindeer Run 5K/1 Mile

WHEN: Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
COST: $30 – $40. Register here
GOODIE BAG: Registration includes admission to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for December 10
KIDS RUN: $15. Kids fun run and 1 mile family walk available

Hot Chocolate & Eggnog 5k, 10k & Kids FUN Run

WHEN: Saturday, December 9, 2023, Kids Run – 10:00am, 5k/10k – 10:15am
WHERE: Westerville Sports Complex (Near Community Center), 325 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082
COST: $40-$55; based on registration date. Register here.
GOODIE BAG: Every participant will receive a long sleeve race shirt, custom race bib, chip timed results, finisher photos, hot chocolate, eggnog, food and more! Wear the ugliest sweater, shirt or jacket that you can find and come out and drink some hot chocolate and egg nog!
KIDS RUN: $5-$15, or free 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 16, 2023 at 4:40 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: Pint Glass or Mug at the finish line, Hot Chocolate (at packet pickup party), $5 off Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights drive-thru show (come back and drive thru with your car!), Race T-shirt (must register by 11/29), Special item from Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians, Ticket to Packet Pickup Party on December 10th

See more races throughout the year in Central Ohio!

Run or Walk: Columbus Races Roundup for 2023