Thanksgiving morning in Branson is bringing people together from all across the country, and this year's Branson Turkey Trot is shaping up to be a special one!
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, excitement is building for the 15th Annual Branson Turkey Trot 5K, taking place Thursday, November 26, 2026, at Branson Landing.
And here's something pretty amazing: 388 participants have already registered, representing 25 different states!
That's right! From California to Florida, Oregon to South Carolina, and plenty of places in between, runners and walkers are making the Branson Turkey Trot part of their Thanksgiving holiday.
Texas Is Bringing the Competition!
Missouri leads the way with 170 registered participants, but Texas is making an impressive showing with 49 participants traveling from the Lone Star State!
Here's a look at some of the states represented so far:
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Missouri: 170 participants
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Texas: 49 participants
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Kansas: 23 participants
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Oklahoma: 21 participants
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Arkansas: 18 participants
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Illinois: 13 participants
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Florida: 12 participants
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Louisiana: 10 participants
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South Carolina: 10 participants
And that's just the beginning! We're also welcoming participants from Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Whether they're visiting family, spending Thanksgiving vacation in Branson, or making the Turkey Trot an annual tradition, it's exciting to see so many people coming together for one event.
From Branson to Austin, Texas — Look Who's Coming!
Our hometown crowd is showing up strong, with 45 participants registered from Branson and another 26 from neighboring Hollister.
But some of the other cities on the registration list might surprise you!
We've got 20 participants from Shawnee, 11 from Austin, Texas, 10 each from Platte City and Reeds Spring, and eight each from Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.
We're even welcoming runners from places like Tucson, Arizona; Grants Pass, Oregon; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Fort Myers, Florida!
It's a wonderful reminder that the Branson Turkey Trot isn't just a local 5K. It's becoming part of Thanksgiving celebrations for families from across the country.
Four Years Old to 78 — Everyone Belongs at the Turkey Trot!
One of our favorite things about this event is the incredible range of ages participating.
Our youngest registered participants are just 4 years old, while our oldest are 78 years young!
Emma Suhey and Khai Fellers, both age 4, are among our youngest participants. At the other end of the age spectrum, Robert Ferem and Nelson Rickel, both 78, are showing that staying active doesn't have an age limit.
Of the 388 registered participants, 84 are children and teenagers, while 304 are adults.
And with an average participant age of 36.6, this truly is an event for all generations.
Whether you're running for a personal best, walking with your grandchildren, or simply enjoying a little fresh air before Thanksgiving dinner, there's a place for you at the starting line.
Families Are Making It a Thanksgiving Tradition
Some families aren't just bringing a couple of runners. They're bringing the whole crew!
The Johnson family from Shawnee leads the way with an incredible 13 registered family members!
The Stevens family from Hollister has seven registered, followed by the Duchamp family from Austin with six. The Burazin family from Fort Worth and the Fellers family from Oklahoma City each have five.
We love seeing families come together like this. After all, what better way to start Thanksgiving than making memories with the people you love?
More Than Just a Thanksgiving Morning Run
The Branson Turkey Trot is organized by the Rotary Clubs of Taney and Stone Counties, bringing the community together for a morning of fitness, family, fun and giving back.
This year's event supports the Gift of Hope Backpack Program, helping provide food assistance to local children in need.
Participants will enjoy the festive atmosphere of Branson Landing, with the opportunity to run or walk alongside friends, family and visitors from across the country.
And for those bringing a group, don't forget about the Gobbler Cup Team Challenge! Gather your friends, family or coworkers and add a little friendly competition to your Thanksgiving morning.
How Many States Can We Reach Before Thanksgiving?
We're already at 25 states represented, and there's still time for that number to grow!
Could we reach 30 states before race day? Maybe even more?
If you're coming to Branson for Thanksgiving, we'd love to have you join us. And if you're local, come show our out-of-state visitors some Ozarks hospitality!
Whether you're from right here in Branson or traveling hundreds of miles, we're excited to welcome you to the starting line.
Thursday, November 26, 2026 — Branson Landing
Come make some memories, burn a few calories before the big meal, and help support a wonderful local cause.
Let's make this year's Branson Turkey Trot the biggest and best one yet!