There are plenty of Turkey Trots around the Ozarks. But there is something different about waking up on Thanksgiving morning, heading to
Branson Landing and seeing hundreds of people gathered along the waterfront, ready to start the holiday together.
That is what makes the Branson Turkey Trot more than just another 5K.
On Thursday, November 26, the 15th Annual Branson Turkey Trot will return to Branson Landing for another Thanksgiving morning tradition. The 5K begins at 8 a.m., giving runners and walkers a chance to get outside, spend time with family and friends, and start Thanksgiving on a high note.
And after 15 years, it is pretty clear that people have made this race part of their holiday tradition.
It's the setting.
Let's be honest — not every 5K gets to start at one of the most recognizable destinations in the Ozarks.
The Branson Turkey Trot takes place at Branson Landing, right along the Lake Taneycomo waterfront. The course is scenic and flat, making it welcoming for everyone from serious runners looking to put together a fast 5K to families who simply want to walk, laugh and enjoy the morning together.
Branson Landing itself gives the event an atmosphere that is difficult to duplicate. The waterfront, boardwalk, shops, restaurants and wide-open gathering areas create a backdrop that feels like an event rather than simply a starting line and a finish line.
And once the race is over, you're already in the middle of Branson.
It's become a Thanksgiving tradition.
Perhaps the biggest reason people keep coming back isn't the course.
It's the memories.
The Branson Turkey Trot has been bringing people together on Thanksgiving morning for 15 years. Organizers say the 2025 race was the biggest year yet, with more than 1,400 participants, and specifically noted how many photos and comments showed families making the Turkey Trot part of their own Thanksgiving traditions.
That's a pretty powerful statement about what this race has become.
For some families, Thanksgiving morning means getting the kids out of bed, putting on matching shirts, meeting friends at the Landing and getting a few miles in before the turkey goes in the oven.
For others, it's a yearly reunion with the people they don't get to see often enough.
And for some, it may simply be the one morning of the year when everyone agrees to get up early and do something together.
That's what makes a Turkey Trot special — and Branson has had 15 years to build those traditions.
You don't have to be a runner.
That's another part of the appeal.
The Branson Turkey Trot is a 5K walk/run, so you don't have to show up chasing a personal record. You can run it. You can walk it. You can race your friends. You can bring the kids. You can put together a family team.
There is also a competitive side for those who want it, with overall awards and age-group awards covering everyone from the youngest participants through runners 80 and over.
And for teams, the Branson Gobbler Cup adds another layer of fun. Groups can compete together, making the race just as much about who you bring with you as how fast you finish.
It's about giving back, too.
The Turkey Trot isn't just about getting people moving before Thanksgiving dinner.
Giving back has been part of the event for years.
Previous Turkey Trots have collected food donations for local families through Christian Action Ministries and supported local nonprofit organizations. The 2025 event continued that tradition, with organizers highlighting their efforts to raise money for the community.
That's an important part of what makes a community Turkey Trot feel different.
You're not simply paying an entry fee and running a course.
You're helping an event that puts money, food and attention back into the community where it takes place.
And then there's Branson.
This may be the biggest difference of all.
A lot of Turkey Trots finish and you're done.
The Branson Turkey Trot finishes and your Thanksgiving morning is just getting started.
You're at Branson Landing. Grab breakfast. Walk the waterfront. Meet the family. Do a little shopping. Make a day of it.
Branson Landing is a destination in its own right, with a 1.5-mile waterfront promenade along Lake Taneycomo, restaurants, shops and entertainment. Visitors consistently highlight the waterfront setting, walkability and atmosphere.
So why drive to Branson for a Turkey Trot when there are races closer to home?
Because you're not just driving to run a 5K.
You're driving to start Thanksgiving somewhere special.
Fifteen years says a lot.
There are always new races.
New courses.
New events.
New Turkey Trots popping up every year.
But making it to year 15 — and growing to more than 1,400 participants — doesn't happen by accident.
It happens because people come back.
They bring their families.
They bring their friends.
They take pictures.
They make memories.
And eventually, the race becomes part of Thanksgiving itself.
That's the real reason the Branson Turkey Trot deserves to be on your Thanksgiving morning calendar.
It's flat. It's scenic. It's family-friendly. It's competitive if you want it to be. It gives back to the community. And it's held in one of the most recognizable locations in the Ozarks.
Most importantly, it's become a tradition.
And traditions are what Thanksgiving is all about.
So this Thanksgiving, skip sleeping in.
Grab the family.
Head to Branson Landing.
And start Thanksgiving with a little sweat, a lot of smiles and the 15th Annual Branson Turkey Trot.
November 26, 2026 • 8:00 AM • Branson Landing • 5K
Because there are plenty of places you can run a Turkey Trot.
There's only one Branson Turkey Trot.