Thousands of runners, walkers and costumed Thanksgiving revelers will fill Broad Ripple Avenue on Nov. 26 for the 24th annual Drumstick Dash, a holiday-morning tradition that organizers hope will once again draw 15,000 participants to benefit people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis.
The race, which as Fox 59 reports is preparing for its 24th annual event, kicks off Thanksgiving morning near the entrance to Broad Ripple Park. Participants can choose between a 2.6-mile and a 4.3-mile route, both starting at 9 a.m., according to WISH-TV. A virtual race option is also available for those who would rather log their miles elsewhere, and a free Lil’ Gobbler’s Run for kids 12 and under is set to start at 10:15 a.m.
Brian Crispin, Wheeler Mission’s chief marketing and communications officer, said the race gives families and friends a reason to gather before the turkey gets carved. He said the Drumstick Dash gives people an opportunity to gather friends and family for a fun community activity. Crispin added that the race is vital to providing food, shelter and care to people experiencing homelessness, and he said Wheeler Mission receives no government funding, as reported by FOX59, making the Dash central to the organization's budget.
Costumes, a Catchy Motto and 15,000 Hopeful Entrants
Wheeler Mission is aiming to register 15,000 participants this year, the same goal the Dash has chased in recent years. The 2023 race actually surpassed that mark, pulling in 15,155 in-person and virtual participants, according to Wheeler Mission. The station's report notes that media accounts put 2025 participation at roughly 15,000 as well.
The event has a reputation for drawing more than just serious runners. Participants regularly show up in costumes, including tutus and turkey leg barrettes, turning the course into a parade of holiday spirit alongside the competitive pace-setters. Claire Curry, who plans to run the longer of the two routes this year, said the event is a fun way to begin Thanksgiving morning with a jog. Curry also said the event’s motto connects participants moving their feet with helping people eat, tying the fitness challenge directly to its charitable purpose.
Where the Money Goes
All proceeds from the Drumstick Dash benefit Wheeler Mission, according to the organization's official event site. The race is described as Wheeler Mission's largest annual fundraiser, and organizers are aiming to raise more than $1 million through this year's event. Registration costs $40 per person through Nov. 11, after which prices increase, per the Drumstick Dash website.
Fundraising totals from past years tell a slightly muddled story. Wheeler Mission's 2023 annual report lists the Dash's take that year at $960,587, as noted by Wheeler Mission, while WTHR reported that more than $1 million was raised that year, exceeding the goal. Either way, the race has established itself as a major source of annual support, and the Drumstick Dash was the fourth-largest Thanksgiving race in the country in 2024, Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash reported at Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash.
A Steady Need Across the City
The Dash's fundraising push comes as Indianapolis's homelessness numbers have held largely steady. A count on Jan. 28, 2026 found 1,821 residents experiencing homelessness citywide, just six more than the 2025 tally, according to WFYI. Of those, 1,346 were in emergency shelters, 203 were in transitional housing, and 272 were unsheltered, the outlet reported, with the unsheltered figure marking an 18 percent drop from 331 people the year before. WFYI's reporting also notes that CHIP data shows more than 2,000 people enter homelessness in Indianapolis every year.
Organizers are framing the Dash as open to anyone willing to show up, whether they are chasing a personal record or just a good excuse to get moving before dinner. The race welcomes participants of all ages and fitness levels, and with the Lil’ Gobbler’s Run, families can bring the youngest runners along for a shorter, no-cost lap of their own. Registration remains open ahead of the Nov. 11 price increase for those hoping to lock in the lower rate before lacing up on Thanksgiving morning.
