Pull to refresh
Logo
What Changed
Following Why Sign Up
GRPS Turkey Trot adds 10K and 1-mile walk for 2026

GRPS Turkey Trot adds 10K and 1-mile walk for 2026

New Capabilities Grand Rapids, MI local

The 34th annual Thanksgiving race adds a 10K and a 1-mile walk, with the 10K leading the morning at 8 a.m.

October 29th, 2026: Spooky Savings discount window opens

Overview

Updated 6 days ago

The Grand Rapids Public Schools Turkey Trot returns on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, with a new 10K and a 1-mile walk alongside the usual 5K. The 10K starts at 8 a.m. outside Van Andel Arena, the Mini Trot for children follows at 8:10, and the 5K and walk go off at 8:30.

Entry costs $35 for the 5K and walk, or $40 on race day; the 10K is $60. Money raised offsets the cost of district athletics so schools can move away from a pay-to-play model. The 2025 race drew a record 6,529 runners and raised almost $300,000.

Why it matters

If the new events pull in more participants, more GRPS athletics costs get covered, keeping sports accessible to over 5,000 students.

Last Monday's email for Grand Rapids, MI

Sent Nov 9. It carried:

Get next Monday's: one short email a week. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

34th
Annual edition
The 2026 Turkey Trot is the 34th running of the event.
6,529
2025 participants
Record turnout for the 33rd annual event.
$300K
2025 funds raised
Almost $300,000 raised for GRPS athletics in 2025.
2
New event categories
The 10K and 1-mile family walk debut in 2026.
$60
10K entry fee
The 5K and 1-mile walk cost $35 in advance, $40 on race day.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.

Log in Sign Up

People Involved

Dr. Leadriane Roby
Dr. Leadriane Roby
Superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools
Current superintendent of the district the Trot benefits
 Joe Hune
Joe Hune
Vice president, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; president, West Michigan & Upper Peninsula Region
Public voice of the race's presenting sponsor
TH
Tanell Hills
Senior community liaison, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Spokesperson for the race's presenting sponsor in 2026

Organizations Involved

Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Public school district
Organizer of the Turkey Trot

Raises private funds for Grand Rapids Public Schools programs, including athletics.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Mutual insurance company
Presenting sponsor for the 12th year

Michigan nonprofit health insurer and the Turkey Trot's presenting sponsor.

Timeline

November 2025 November 2026

6 events Latest: October 29th, 2026 · 1 week ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Race-day entry fees rise to $40

    Upcoming Logistics

    The 5K and 1-mile walk cost $35 in advance and $40 on race day; the 10K is $60.

  2. Race day: inaugural 10K and 1-mile walk

    Upcoming Event

    The 10K starts at 8 a.m. outside Van Andel Arena, a downtown venue that holds about 12,000 people. The Mini Trot follows at 8:10 a.m., with the 5K and 1-mile walk at 8:30.

  3. Packet pickup begins at Gazelle Sports

    Upcoming Logistics

    Packet pickup runs at Gazelle Sports on 28th Street on November 23 and at Union High School on November 25, per the event's volunteer signup sheet.

  4. Spooky Savings discount window opens

    Latest Logistics

    Organizers offered $5 off any entry with code 2026Spooky5 from October 29 through November 1, according to Hyperlocal Loop.

  5. 10K and 1-mile walk announced for 34th Turkey Trot

    Announcement

    Organizers confirm the new events for the Thanksgiving Day race, expanding beyond the signature 5K. The 10K goes off at 8 a.m., the Mini Trot at 8:10, and the 5K and walk at 8:30.

  6. 33rd annual Trot sets participation and fundraising records

    Milestone

    The 2025 event drew a record 6,529 participants and raised almost $300,000 for GRPS athletics.

Scenarios

1

Turkey Trot sets participation record, tops 7,000

Possible Resolves by Dec 15, 2026

Discussed by: Event organizers, who say they aim to top 2025's record turnout; WOODTV and MLive typically report final numbers.

The new 10K and 1-mile walk broaden the event's draw. Competitive runners get a longer course, families get a shorter option. If registration holds through the November 19 price increase, the Trot could surpass the 6,435 who ran in 2025.

2

New distances draw modest gains, turnout roughly flat

Possible Resolves by Dec 15, 2026

Discussed by: Baseline expectation given last year's record; local race observers note downtown space limits growth.

The 10K and walk bring in some new participants, but the 5K remains the main draw. Total participation lands near last year's 6,435. Growth is capped by the single downtown start area and the risk of cold or snow.

3

Snow or cold forces changes to inaugural 10K and walk

Unlikely Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: A low-probability but real risk for late November in Michigan; local forecasters track it each year.

The 10K and 1-mile walk are first-time events with new courses. Heavy snow or extreme cold could force shortening, delays, or cancellation. The 5K has run through past Michigan winters, but the new routes carry fresh risk.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1968-present

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot (1968-present)

The Dallas YMCA held its first Turkey Trot in 1968 with a few hundred runners. It grew into the largest Thanksgiving Day race in the United States, drawing more than 40,000 people each year.

Then

The race became a defining holiday tradition for the city of Dallas.

Now

It shows how a small community Turkey Trot can scale into a major civic event.

Why this matters now

Gives the GRPS Trot a concrete growth path to compare against as it expands its distance offerings.

1896-present

Buffalo Turkey Trot (1896-present)

Buffalo's Turkey Trot, first run in 1896, is North America's oldest consecutively run footrace. Close to 14,000 runners take part each Thanksgiving.

Then

It has anchored Buffalo's Thanksgiving morning for over a century.

Now

It demonstrates how a holiday race survives by adapting its distances and audience over time.

Why this matters now

Shows the long-run endurance a Thanksgiving race can build, which is the broader tradition the GRPS Trot belongs to.

Sources

(10)
+4
WOODTV.com GRPS Foundation GRPS.org RunSignup TrainerDay MLive.com Van Andel Arena VolunteerSignup.org Hyperlocal Loop MLive.com