About

ABOUT

The Turkey Day Run has been a Charleston Thanksgiving Day tradition for the last 47 years in the Lowcountry. The annual run/walk takes place in downtown Charleston’s Marion Square on Thanksgiving morning with a Race Expo and packet pick up the day before. The event attracted over 8,700 participants and thousands of onlookers in 2023, making it the largest 5K in South Carolina and the 9th largest timed 5K in the United States.

The Turkey Day Race brings together the community in a safe and family-fun atmosphere. The event welcomes all people to participate as athletes, volunteers, or spectators.

MISSION

The Turkey Day Run’s mission is to raise money for local charities. The Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble is a premiere charity event that has a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of families throughout the Charleston metropolitan area. The past recipients have included Charleston Habitat for Humanity,  the Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, and Pet Helpers. But the giving doesn’t stop there, the race supports many more non-profits every year. This doesn’t happen on its own. It takes hundreds of volunteers who give thousands of hours each year to make the day special. If you would like to help us, help others, we would welcome your support by way of a sponsorship or volunteering.

We look forward to hearing from you, racedirector@turkeydayrun.com.

HISTORY OF THE RACE

The Turkey Day Run race celebrated its 100 years of great racing in 2014!! It was first established by The Knights of Columbus’s Downtown Council No. 704 in 1914. The race has undergone various format changes throughout its history. In 1978, Council 704 reinvented the race to its current format which encompasses a 3.1 mile run and walk – the Gobble Wobble. It is a competitive race open to all serious and family-oriented participants. The event annually attracts over 8,000 participants from 35 states, Canada, and Mexico who run and/or walk. It is truly established as a premiere running 5K event in South Carolina.