The YMCA Turkey Trot

The YMCA Turkey Trot

 The YMCA Turkey Trot is an 8k footrace held annually on Thanksgiving Day in the City of Buffalo, NY. Known to be the oldest consecutively run footrace in the world, the YMCA Turkey Trot will mark its 128th consecutive start in 2023. 

Older than the Boston Marathon, the YMCA Turkey Trot started in 1896 with six runners on dirt roads. Today, the race caps at 14,000 participants. Today's participants includes a mix of competitive and amateur runners, joggers and walkers, many of whom dress in costume.

Supporting our Community

This event is YMCA Buffalo Niagara’s largest fundraising event, now raising over $300,000 annually to help connect Western New York families in need with YMCA services they otherwise could not afford.

Race Route

The in-person route (4.97 miles) begins on Delaware Avenue at Tacoma Avenues in North Buffalo and finishes near the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Click here to view a map of the full course.

Virtual participants have the option to run, jog, or walk an 8k (4.97 miles) route of their choosing anytime over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The Turkey Trot phone line is 716-565-6000. Follow this page for updates, or you can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.