Garden City Turkey Trot

Lace-up your sneakers and kick off your Thanksgiving Day celebrations with the historic Garden City Turkey Trot, Long Island's largest Thanksgiving road race. Held annually on Thursday, November 26, 2026, in scenic Garden City, NY, this beloved tradition offers a festive 5-mile course that winds through charming tree-lined streets, providing a picturesque backdrop of fall foliage. Typical race day conditions in late November feature crisp highs around 50F and lows of 37F, with a minimal 15% chance of precipitation, ensuring ideal running weather to earn that holiday feast.

The 5-mile course is renowned for being fast and generally flat, a perfect opportunity for a personal best. Runners will enjoy a police-controlled route completely closed to vehicular traffic, guiding them past local landmarks like the Cherry Hill Golf Course and Adelphi University campus. While largely flat, runners will encounter a slight incline near Adelphi University in the first mile. A unique aspect of the course is the "tease" at mile three, where you pass the start/finish area at St. Paul's School before embarking on a final loop to the actual finish line, creating an engaging mental challenge. You'll find a well-placed water stop at the 2.5-mile mark to keep you hydrated, and cheering spectators often line the route, adding to the vibrant community atmosphere.

Beyond the race itself, the Garden City Turkey Trot is deeply rooted in tradition and community spirit, known for attracting multi-generational families who make it an integral part of their holiday. The race starts and finishes conveniently at St. Paul's School on Stewart Avenue. While there is no race day parking at St. Paul's, ample parking is available at nearby locations such as the Garden City High School, Train Station, and Library, with a short walk to the starting line. Post-race, participants can enjoy complimentary refreshments, including water, bagels, and bananas, and celebrate their achievement with free downloadable race photos. Importantly, net proceeds from the event benefit worthy causes, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and The INN, making your trot a meaningful contribution to the community.