Events
Description
Entry Fee: $10 Donation (Proceeds benefit the Wheeling Township Food Pantry)
Start your Thanksgiving Day by making a difference in your community! The Arlington Heights Turkey Trot is more than just a run—it’s an opportunity to give back while celebrating health, gratitude, and togetherness.
Your $10 entry fee directly supports the Wheeling Township Food Pantry, helping local families in need during the holiday season. We also welcome and encourage food donations on race day—bring canned goods or non-perishable items (see our list below for what's needed most) to help stock the shelves and spread holiday cheer.
Whether you run, walk, or trot, every participant contributes to a meaningful cause. Gather your friends, family, and neighbors, and join us for a fun-filled morning of fitness, community spirit, and generosity.
Move with purpose. Give with heart.
Let’s make this Thanksgiving about more than just the feast—let’s make it about feeding hope.
The food pantry is in the most need of the following items:
- Baking products
- Beans
- Instant Potatoes
- Canned fish
- Cereal
- Condiments
- Canned fruit & Meat
- Applesauce
- Pancake Mix & Syrup
- Snacks such as granola bars or fruit snacks.
- Jewel or Aldi gift cards for $25 or less.
This year’s race will be held on Thursday, November 27th.
- Race Day Registration – 7:30am
- Kids Fun Run – 8:30am
- 5K Race – 9am
Medals will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall male and female finishers, along with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd finisher in each division. Ribbons will be given to the Kids' Fun Run Participants.
Divisions: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 and older
Medals & Ribbons will be handed out on the infield of the Matt Ives Memorial Track.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Place
Arlington Heights, IL US 60005-1868
Parking
Parking will be available in the Main Parking Lot at South Middle School, with overflow parking directed to Our Lady of the Wayside Church, the Parking Lot on Ridge Street, north of their middle school building. Additional public parking can be found in Downtown Arlington Heights in their Public Parking Garages, a few blocks north of South Middle School.
Race Results
For this first year, we will be hand-timing the race, with results being posted on the website once they are finalized. This is due to the high cost of utilizing a timing company, and we want as much of the money raised in entry fees to go towards helping the food pantries.
Next year, and as the race grows in the future, we will look into working with a timing company to time our race.
Next Year
Mark your calendars, and join us for next year's Arlington Heights Turkey Trot!!! We are hoping for this race to grow and become a new Arlington Heights Thanksgiving Tradition, so spread the word and be sure to sign up when registration opens next year!!!
Looking forward, we will be looking into utilizing a timing company for results (this year will be hand-timed to offset cost), and looking for business sponsors to help the race grow. We also plan on having an official event T-shirt next year, along with an updated and more comprehensive awards system based on age groups.
