The 6th Annual Upshur County Recreation Complex Turkey Trot 5K will return to downtown Buckhannon on Thanksgiving morning, inviting the community to start the holiday with fun, fitness and local spirit, all for a good cause.
The event will kick off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025, with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. at Jawbone Park. Participants will follow a scenic route through the City of Buckhannon, enjoying the crisp fall air before heading home for their Thanksgiving celebrations.
“This year marks our sixth annual run,” said Mitch Shaw, President of the UCRC Board of Directors, who helps organize the event each year. “We started the first Turkey Trot in 2020 on Thanksgiving Day and have kept it going ever since. It’s become a fun local tradition that really brings the community together.”
Registration is open online through RunSignUp, with pre-registration costing $30. Those who sign up by Friday, November 14, will receive a commemorative race t-shirt. Same-day registration will be available for $35, though shirts will only be available while supplies last.
“We’ll still have sign-ups the morning of the race,” Shaw said. “We do order some extra t-shirts, but to guarantee one, people really need to sign up before the cutoff date.”
The Turkey Trot is considered a fun run, meaning everyone is welcome, whether they plan to run, jog or walk the course.
“You can come dressed up, bring your whole family, walk it, run it, whatever you want to do,” Shaw said. “Just come out and support a good cause.”
Prizes will be awarded to top male and female finishers in several categories, including under 18, 18 to 55, and 55 and over.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Upshur County Recreation Complex, a planned facility aimed at expanding recreational opportunities for residents.
“This money is really going to go a long way in helping our community get the resources we need to improve recreation access for people of all ages,” Shaw said.
To register or learn more about the UCRC Turkey Trot 5K, visit the event’s Facebook page or sign up online at https://runsignup.com/UCRCTurkeyTrot5K
