Encinitas, CA– You know that feeling when you wake up on Thanksgiving morning and realize you’ll be eating enough food to sustain a small village? That’s exactly why thousands of people across the country lace up their running shoes and hit the pavement before the turkey hits the table. The Encinitas Turkey Trot has become one of the most popular holiday traditions in North County San Diego, and its story is as fun as the race itself.
Where It All Started
The first Turkey Trot happened way back in 1896 in Buffalo, New York, when the local YMCA organized a race on Thanksgiving morning. Only six people showed up, and just four actually finished the course. One runner quit after two miles, and another stopped when his late breakfast decided to make an unwelcome reappearance. Despite this rocky start, the race came back the next year and has been going strong ever since, making it the oldest continuous footrace in North America. Buffalo got the ball rolling, but it took decades before cities across America caught on to this pre-feast fitness phenomenon.
Families Making It Count
What started as a solo sport has turned into a full family affair. At the Encinitas Turkey Trot, you’ll spot three generations running side by side, from grandparents to toddlers barely old enough to walk. One Encinitas family proudly celebrated their daughter’s 10th finish in 2024, with her very first race happening when she was just six weeks old. That’s commitment. Turkey Trots have evolved into the kind of tradition where families make plans months in advance, coordinate matching costumes, and pass down the love of running from one generation to the next. It’s less about beating your personal record and more about creating memories that stick around longer than leftovers.
Running for a Reason
The Encinitas Turkey Trot isn’t just about burning calories before pumpkin pie. The race was founded by Steve Lebherz, a longtime Encinitas resident who wanted to help families in need throughout North County San Diego. Proceeds from the event support VANC, a nonprofit created by veterans for veterans that works to reduce PTSD and veteran suicide. The race also provides grants to organizations like Boy Scouts of America Troop 776 and helps stock the shelves at the San Diego Food Bank. When you run in Encinitas, you’re not just exercising. You’re contributing to causes that strengthen the whole community.
Costumes, Records, and Quirky Moments
If you think Turkey Trots are all serious athletic competition, think again. The costume contest tradition started gaining steam in the 1980s, when runners in Buffalo began dressing up like Canadian hockey players. Today, you’ll see everything from full turkey getups to creative family-themed ensembles that would make a Halloween party jealous. The Encinitas Turkey Trot hands out awards to the top three individuals and groups who best display the spirit of Thanksgiving, and race times don’t even factor into the judging. The event offers both 5K and 10K races, plus a kids’ race, so everyone can pick their own adventure. Runners start and finish under the world-famous ENCINITAS sign on Coast Highway 101, making for some pretty spectacular photo opportunities.
Why Thanksgiving Morning Works
Thanksgiving Day is officially the biggest running day of the year in the United States. Nearly 800,000 people participated in Turkey Trots across the country in 2022 alone. The Encinitas Turkey Trot taps into this nationwide energy by offering a festive, family-friendly way to kick off the holiday with friends, neighbors, and complete strangers who all share one goal: moving their bodies before the feast begins. Whether you’re a serious runner chasing a personal best or someone who just wants to earn that extra slice of pie, the Turkey Trot welcomes everyone to the starting line.
Sources: encinitasturkeytrot.org, raceraves.com, sdcea.net, haustay.com, raceroster.com, livenowfox.com, ymcabn.org
Header Image Source: encinitasturkeytrot.org
