Birdie Derby 5k/10k Run/Walk

Whether you're here to race, walk with the family, keep a decades-long tradition alive, or justify an extra piece of pie,
there's a place for you at the starting line.

And this isn't just a really fun way to start Thanksgiving.

The Birdie Derby is produced by Active Youth Wisconsin, and 100% of proceeds stay right here in our community, helping create more opportunities for kids to move, play, and discover the joy of being active.

Thanksgiving Day Race Schedule

7:00 am Packet pickup at Perennial Yoga
8:00 am Kids Dash
8:30 am 10K Run Start
8:50 am 5K Run Start
9:00 am 5K Walk Start

Find the Flock

Birdie Derby Race Village

Fitchburg Business Park

5500 E. Cheryl Parkway

Fitchburg, WI 53711

This is where the Thanksgiving magic happens: start lines, finish lines, Kids Dash, coffee, cocoa, post-race food, and thousands of your fellow Birdies.

Check out the parking and village maps at the bottom of the page before race morning so you know exactly where you're headed.

Come for the Run. Stay for the Glazers.

Yes, Birdie Derby is a race. But we're not going to pretend the extras aren't part of the reason people keep coming back.

Birdies can look forward to:
🧢 Birdie Derby soft-cotton long-sleeved tee OR lightweight tech hoodie
❄️ Winter hat
🍫 Yahara Chocolate Company custom Birdie Derby chocolate toffee. 100 pieces of chocolate will have a winning sticker inside the wrapper. Each sticker correlates to an amazing prize donated by local businesses.
📸 Free race photos by Focal Flame Photography
⏱️ Expert timing by Sportstats
🏃 Accurately measured course by Race Day Events
☕ Free Oasis coffee & hot chocolate
🍩 KWIK TRIP GLAZERS!
🥤 Plus more post-race snacks, refreshments, and a goodie bag stuffed with items from our generous sponsors

Kids Dash

Little Birdies. Big Finish-Line Energy.

The Birdie Derby Kids Dash presented by Casa de Corazon is a FREE 100-yard race for kids ages 2–6.

No clocks. No pressure. Just little legs, big smiles, and a finisher medal waiting at the end.

Ages: 2–6
Start: 8:00 AM SHARP
Distance: 100 yards
Cost: FREE with an adult registration
Timing: Absolutely not. They're kids.

Every registered Kids Dash participant receives an official Birdie Derby bib and finisher medal. The Dash is limited to 150 kids and fills up every year. Make sure to register early!

Before the Dash
Kids Dash bibs must be picked up in person during regular packet pickup or Thanksgiving morning.
Arrive early, grab some coffee or cocoa, and get your little Birdie ready to fly. Make sure their bib is attached and visible — that's how our volunteers know they're an official finisher and ready for their medal.

Want to Keep Going?
Kids ages 4–6 can register for both the Kids Dash AND the Birdie Derby 5K/10K for just $10, including the race shirt and goody bag. Kids 3 and under may also ride along with a parent in a stroller during the 5K without registering.

*All children under age 10 must be accompanied by a guardian during the 5K/10K.

Teams

Run with a team or run alone – same price

The option to participate on a team is one of the most fun and unique parts of Birdie Derby! We have made the process of managing a team as simple as possible.

Here’s how it works…

Each team must select a “Team Captain”. This team captain does just a bit of organizing to recruit members.

Team Management Features (accessed through your RunSignUp account):

Share Team Page — Once you register and create your team, you have a Team Page you can share. Upload a picture and share on Facebook, Twitter, and email. Friends and family will be directed to the page where they can see who else is on the team (if you share that info); they can join and even share with others.
Receive instant email notifications when a new team member signs up.
View Team Roster (full member listing).
Communicate directly with members on team-specific details (i.e., where to pick up team packets, where to meet on race day, etc.)

Who Can Form a Team?

Any group, organization, or business can form teams for the Birdie Derby and receive their team name printed on the back of their Birdie Derby T-Shirt. Team registration will close on November 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Teams must have at least 5 participants. All members do NOT have to participate in the same event. Any combination of 10K runners, 5K walkers, and virtual members can be a team!

Virtual Teams

Team members may run virtually, though we will not collect times for virtual runners, and their team will not qualify for an award. If you plan to participate as a virtual team member and are signed up by the November 1st deadline, your team shirts will ship the following week. Be part of the Derby from a totally different state or state of mind!

Team Logos

New this year! For an additional fee, Teams can include their logo or design on their shirts. Upload instructions are found on the registration page.

Note: There is a limit of 40 characters for team names. (And please keep it clean—this is a family event!)

TO BE CATEGORIZED AS A TEAM, YOU MUST HAVE 5 OR MORE MEMBERS

If your team is not complete by the November 1st deadline, each member will be registered as an individual. No refunds.

Birdie Brackets

Introducing the Birdie Brackets! The clever team names are one of the things that make the Birdie Derby unique. We love custom printing the names on your race shirts. All teams with 5 or more members signed up by the deadline (11:59 pm on Sunday, November 1st) are eligible for consideration.

Special VIPs will peruse the team names and pick their 8 favorites. These finalists will pair off with head-to-head voting on our social media pages each week. The winning team will be announced on Monday, November 23rd. Besides bragging rights, the winning team will receive 5 VIP parking passes! Also, watch for information on how to submit your own brackets and be entered to win a fabulous prize. Gather your flock and get creative.

Virtual Registration

What your virtual registration includes:

Birdie Derby long-sleeved shirt OR lightweight tech hoodie
Winter hat!

New for 2026:

Virtual registrations received before 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 1st, will have their race shirt and hat shipped early. Even if you are on a team. You, your family, and friends can proudly wear your Birdie finery and join the tradition from wherever you are on Thanksgiving Day!

*Virtual registrations received after 11/1 will have their race packet mailed the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. You can also pick up your packet during our normal Packet Pick-Up hours.
*Virtual participants do not qualify for any awards.
*Be sure your address is correct! We are not responsible for undeliverable packages. To update/check your address, please log in to your RunSignup account.
*Virtual participants do not qualify for any awards.
*Virtual participants are eligible to join in-person teams.

Get Your Birdie Gear

Skip the race-morning scramble and grab your packet before Thanksgiving.

Pre-Race Packet Pick-Up

Tuesday, November 24 | 12:00–7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 25 | 7:00 AM–2:00 PM

Hatchery Hill Town Center
2970 Cahill Main, Suite 101
Fitchburg, WI 53711

Race Morning Pick-Up
Thursday, November 26 | 7:00–8:30 AM
Perennial Yoga
5500 E. Cheryl Parkway, Suite 101
Fitchburg, WI 53711

What's in the Bag?
Your packet includes your race bib, Birdie Derby gear, and goodie bag — AKA everything you need to officially join the flock.

A few things before you fly in:

Have your registration QR code ready for speedy check-in.
Picking up for someone else? You can! Bring their email confirmation.
Shirt exchanges happen after the race only, if inventory is available.
Team Captains or representatives must pick up the entire team's packets together.
Team changes cannot be made at packet pickup.

Our recommendation? Pick up Tuesday or Wednesday. Future Thanksgiving-morning-you will be grateful.

How To Find Your Way

Location

Parking Map

Birdie Derby Village

5K Course Map

10K Course Map

Athlete Guide (coming soon!)

Fast Birdies Get Bragging Rights

We love everyone who crosses our finish line. But some of you are really, really fast.
Results will be posted on by 6:00 PM on race day, and awards will be mailed to winners the following week.
Individual Awards

Top three overall male finishers
Top three overall female finishers
Top three overall non-binary finishers
Top male and female finisher in each age group

Team Awards

Top three 5K teams
Top three 10K teams
Largest corporate team
Largest family/friend team

Team results are based on the average time of the first five finishers. At least five team members must be registered in the same distance to qualify.

And Because We Like a Good Category...
We'll also recognize:

Top male and female wheelchair finishers
Oldest male finisher
Oldest female finisher

Age Groups:
14 & Under, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75+