While we are gearing up for trick or treating this week, it might be time to start thinking about shedding that sugar high and signing up for a holiday race to cap off 2025! While gaining a little holiday weight is always a sign of a successful season, joining a run or two may offset some of the turkey sweats that may be headed your way. Check out a few races that you may want to join!
Turkey Trots
For some, turkey trots are a beloved tradition. For others, their worst nightmare is marrying into a family that insists on running a few miles before feasting on turkey. Love them or dread them, these holiday runs bring out costumes, camaraderie, and just enough sweat to make that second slice of pie taste even better.
Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K Arnold – Enjoy a healthy, joyful start to Thanksgiving by participating in the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K in Arnold. The Y Turkey Trot is a great way to have fun with your family while also giving back by donating food and money to support those in need. This dog-friendly trot will begin at 8:30 a.m. on November 27. For those purchasing tickets before September 30, children six and under can register for free! Registration can be found here, with tickets costing $40.22.
Fleet Feet’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot – Fleet Feet hosts a beloved Turkey Trot each Thanksgiving morning, a tradition for many families in the area. The scenic 5K takes runners through the heart of downtown Annapolis, offering crisp fall views before the feast begins. The run begins at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning and benefits Girls on the Run Greater Chesapeake. Registration is $50, with discounts for ages 17 and younger. Register now!
Camp Letts Turkey Chase Charity Race – Thanksgiving morning kicks off bright and early at YMCA Camp Letts with the annual Turkey Chase, the camp’s largest community fundraiser. Runners can choose between a 10K at 8:30 a.m. or a 5K at 8:45 a.m., with proceeds helping to maintain camp facilities and provide scholarships for children who might not otherwise get the summer camp experience. With up to 1,000 participants expected, this is a lively event for a great cause. Registration is $38, with youth discounts available.
North Shore 5th Annual Turkey Trot – Start the holiday with a run—or a walk—through the beautiful North Shore community. The 5K kicks off at 9 a.m. from the neighborhood beach, followed by a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk at 9:05. Strollers and leashed pets are welcome, and finishers can stick around for hot cider, donuts, and an awards ceremony. Winners get a frozen turkey donated in their names to a local food bank, making this festive tradition a way to give back too. Registration is just $10, with proceeds supporting North Shore beautification projects.
Holiday Runs
Santa Speedo Run – Entering its 19th year, this Annapolis tradition spices up Christmas with the ever-noticeable outfits of runners who take to the streets of the state’s capital in frigid conditions. Men must wear speedo-like bathing suits with Santa hats and beards highly recommended. Any Christmas attire or skort will work for women, but bathing suits are once again the preferred choice. You must wear holiday colors and, for everyone’s sake, refrain from wearing thongs!
Be sure to come early to sing Christmas carols and stick around for the after party once you cross the finish line. Registration is $30. The run is on Saturday, December 13, with check in beginning at 11 AM at O’Brien’s and the run starting at 12:30 PM.
Photo Courtesy of Kevin Chaney/Santa Speedo Run
2025 Jingle Bell Run/Walk – Annapolis’ annual running event continues to raise awareness for lung and ovarian cancer. Join the DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation on Saturday, December 6, for a run or walk around Quiet Waters Park. All proceeds go to cancer research programs. This is such a good cause and a lot of fun with costumes, music, and refreshments.
Jingle Bell Run (Baltimore) – Come celebrate with the 2025 Jingle Bell Run on Saturday, December 13, in downtown Baltimore! Participants of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite festive outfits and jingle all the way toward a worthwhile cause, hosted by the Arthritis Foundation. This is a great chance to bring your friends, family, and coworkers together to support the fight against arthritis, whether you decide to run, walk, or stroll. Registration is anywhere from $50 to $55 dollars and includes a free t-shirt! This 5k race will take place at West Shore Park in downtown Baltimore. Don’t pass up this great opportunity to celebrate 40 years of influence with the Jingle Bell Run and truly make a difference. Let’s put on our shoes, go for a walk, and jingle our way to arthritic triumph!
Holiday Hustle – Taking place at Harford Community College on December 14, this 5k run will cost anywhere from $23 for kids and up to $50 for adults. This year, Charm City Run will have a brand-new race, specifically for kids 12 and under! The inaugural Jingle Jog Kids Run will take place on race day at 8:15 a.m., before the Holiday Hustle kicks off! The race will feature a short loop (roughly .5 miles) designed specifically for kids. The Holiday Hustle 5K and Jingle Jog Kids Run are a great way to celebrate the holidays with loved ones! There are prizes for the best-dressed, with holiday clothing being encouraged. Every competitor receives a holiday goodie bag, a finisher medal or ornament, and a festive long-sleeve racing shirt. It might turn out to be the holiday season’s least stressful day!
Naptown Half Marathon & 5/10K – Trade your slippers for sneakers and your cocoa for cardio at the Naptown Half Marathon & 10K/5K Holiday Hustle on December 20. Whether you’re tackling the half or keeping it merry with the 5K, this festive run starts at the U.S. Naval Academy Stadium and winds through scenic Annapolis before hitting the Baltimore-Annapolis Trail. Expect Santa caps for every runner, prizes for the most spirited, and maybe even a surprise visit from the Big Guy himself. Bonus: Bring a gift, grab a gift at the White Elephant Exchange. It’s like Secret Santa for runners! This event is the perfect way to dash through the holidays and finish your running year on a high note (possibly hitting that PR for the year!).
Turkey Trots and holiday runs are a festive, fun-filled way to kick off the season with community, cheer, and a little cardio! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just in it for the steps, these events bring people together in the spirit of celebration and health. With scenic routes, holiday music, and plenty of smiles, it’s the perfect way to make lasting memories with family and friends.
Save The Date List