Thanksgiving morning in Miami Shores means more than just turkey and stuffing. It means lacing up running shoes, donning ridiculous costumes, and hitting the pavement with your neighbors before the big feast. The Turkey Trot has become a beloved ritual that brings families, friends, and the entire South Florida community together for a pre-feast workout that somehow makes that second slice of pie feel totally justified.
How Turkey Trots Became a Holiday Tradition
The Turkey Trot tradition started way back in 1896 in Buffalo, New York, when the local YMCA hosted an 8-kilometer cross-country race on Thanksgiving Day. Only six brave souls showed up, and just four crossed the finish line. One runner quit after two miles, and another dropped out because his breakfast decided to make an unwelcome appearance.
Despite this rocky start, the race survived and became the oldest consecutively run footrace in North America. The concept spread like wildfire across the East Coast, popping up in cities from New Orleans to Cincinnati throughout the early 1900s. Today, Turkey Trots happen in practically every American town, including right here in Miami Shores, where the sunny weather beats snowy Buffalo any day.
Families Who Run Together Stay Together
Walk around any Turkey Trot in South Florida and you’ll spot three generations of the same family crossing the finish line together. Grandparents power walk alongside jogging parents while kids sprint ahead in matching turkey hats. These races have created multigenerational traditions that families mark on their calendars year after year.
Some Miami Shores families have been participating for over a decade, turning Thanksgiving morning runs into photo opportunities that fill albums and social media feeds. The Baptist Health Turkey Trot Miami has become a fixture for families across the region, offering everything from competitive 10K races to casual kids’ dashes.
Parents love that they can bring strollers, and grandparents appreciate the flexible pace options. The real magic happens at the finish line, where families reunite, swap race stories, and head home together to tackle that Thanksgiving feast as a united front.
Running for More Than Just Pie
Turkey Trots aren’t just about burning calories before loading up on mashed potatoes. These races raise serious money for local charities and food banks throughout the community. Some events have raised over half a million dollars for local nonprofits over the years, supporting everything from pediatric patients to families experiencing hardship.
Registration fees and sponsorships help fund after-school programs, preschool scholarships, and community food pantries. Many Turkey Trots in the Miami area collect thousands of canned food donations that go directly to families in need during the holiday season. The sense of giving back makes these races feel less like exercise and more like active philanthropy. Runners aren’t just competing against each other but working together to strengthen their communities and spread holiday cheer where it’s needed most.
When Things Get Wonderfully Weird
Turkey Trots bring out the creative side in runners who take costume competitions very seriously. You’ll see full turkey suits complete with feathered tails, pilgrim hats paired with running shorts, and entire families dressed as Thanksgiving dinner complete with someone wearing a giant pumpkin pie costume.
Some brave souls run carrying inflatable turkeys, while others sport hand turkey costumes that look like oversized kindergarten crafts. The 20-foot-tall Perky Turkey at Miami’s main event has become a must-see photo opportunity. Local records get broken, kids win their first medals, and someone always shows up in a festive onesie they clearly slept in the night before.
These quirky moments and friendly competition create stories that get retold at Thanksgiving tables for years to come. Whether you’re chasing a personal record or just trying not to trip over your turkey costume, Turkey Trots prove that fitness and fun make the perfect pairing.
Sources: miamishores-fl.gov, ymcabn.org, turkeytrotmiami.com, foodbankcny.org
Header Image Source: turkeytrotmiami.com
