Every Thanksgiving morning in Tualatin, something special happens before the pumpkin pie gets sliced. Families lace up their running shoes, dust off those turkey feather tutus, and head out for one of the most beloved holiday traditions: the Turkey Trot. It’s more than just a race. It’s a celebration of community, gratitude, and getting your steps in before stuffing yourself with stuffing.
When Turkeys Started Trotting
The Turkey Trot tradition goes way back to 1896 in Buffalo, New York, where the local YMCA decided Thanksgiving morning needed a little more action. That first race had only six participants, and just four brave souls actually crossed the finish line. One runner reportedly dropped out when his late breakfast refused to cooperate with the five mile course. Fast forward to today, and Turkey Trots have become one of the most popular running events across America, with some races drawing over 14,000 runners. The Buffalo race still runs every single year, making it North America’s oldest continually running footrace.
Families That Run Together
What makes Turkey Trots special is watching three generations line up at the starting line together. In Tualatin and surrounding Oregon communities, families have turned this into a can’t-miss tradition. Kids who started running with their parents years ago now bring their own children to the race. Take a cue from the legendary Gus Gressel, who ran the Buffalo Turkey Trot for nearly 50 years, starting in 1907, only missing one year due to injury. His son Ed even ran alongside him and won the race in 1916. That’s the kind of family legacy these races create.
The nearby Give n’ Gobble event in Sherwood has been bringing Oregon families together since 2007, with an average of 2,200 participants each Thanksgiving morning. Volunteers come back year after year, even requesting the same spot on the course because they love the atmosphere so much. In Tualatin, the tradition continues with local events like the Tualatin River Run and the West Linn Turkey Trot, where families gather to kick off their Thanksgiving with movement and laughter.
Running for a Reason
Turkey Trots aren’t just about burning calories before the big meal. They’re powerful charity engines that feed hungry families during the holiday season. The Give n’ Gobble event alone has raised over $500,000 and collected 80,000 pounds of food for local families in need. That money also funded the Helping Hands Backpack Meals for Kids program, providing over 100,000 meals for at-risk children.
Across the country, Turkey Trots partner with food banks and local charities to make real impact. The Liverpool Turkey Trot funded 42,000 nutritious meals in 2024 alone. In Clark County, 100% of the proceeds go directly to the food bank, providing hundreds of thousands of meals over the years. Tualatin’s community events follow this same spirit, with races supporting local scholarships and youth programs through organizations like the Rotary Club of Tualatin.
The Fun Stuff: Costumes and Records
Here’s where things get wild. Costumes became a Turkey Trot staple in the 1980s, and runners have been outdoing each other ever since. You’ll spot everything from full turkey suits with feather tutus to superhero capes with Thanksgiving themes. Some families dress as an entire Thanksgiving dinner, with one person as the turkey, another as mashed potatoes, and someone else as pumpkin pie. The Dallas Turkey Trot even set world records for the largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys.
The records are just as impressive. David O’Keefe holds the Buffalo Turkey Trot record at 23:13. The youngest overall winner was Anthony Diamond, who won at just 15 years old in 1944. Jacy Christiansen became the youngest female winner at 11 years old in 2004, crossing the finish line with a time of 30:09. Whether you’re racing for a personal best or just trying not to trip over your turkey tail feathers, everyone gets a warm welcome at the finish line.
Turkey Trots have woven themselves into Tualatin’s fabric, creating memories that last long after the cranberry sauce is gone. Whether you’re running your first 5K or your fiftieth, these races remind us that community matters, giving back feels good, and a little exercise makes that second slice of pie taste even better. So grab your family, pick out your silliest costume, and join Tualatin’s Thanksgiving morning tradition. The turkeys are waiting.
Sources: givengobble.com, runwithpaula.com, tualatinoregon.gov, clarkcountyfoodbank.org, outsideonline.com, ymcabn.org,
Header Image Source: givengobble.com
