Thanksgiving morning in West Hartford means turkey costumes, stroller-pushing parents, and a 5K route winding through the Webster Hill neighborhood. The Webster Hill Turkey Trot is set to return for its sixth year on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, kicking off at 8 a.m. from the back parking lot of Webster Hill Elementary School at 125 Webster Hill Boulevard.
The race, hosted by the Webster Hill PTO, has grown into a holiday staple for the surrounding community, according to West Hartford News. Organizers say the event brings Webster Hill families and the wider West Hartford community together, and last year's race set a record with 637 participants arriving from 22 different states, per the same outlet's report.
Registration is already open and will stay open right up until the morning of the event, meaning late deciders won't be shut out of joining the trot. Costs are $25 plus fees for anyone 14 and older, and $15 for participants ages 5 to 13, while so-called “Tiny Trotters” under age 5 can take part at no charge.
What Runners and Walkers Get for Their Entry Fee
Paid registrations include official event swag, and kids 13 and under — including the youngest Tiny Trotters — will go home with an official Turkey Trot medal. The race itself is open to every pace and style of mover: people of all ages are invited to run, walk, trot, or push a stroller along the course, and organizers welcome holiday-themed outfits, including turkey and pie costumes, for anyone who wants to lean into the spirit of the day.
A similar untimed format was described for the event's 2026 listing on RaceMob, which notes the trot begins promptly at 8 a.m. and welcomes runners, joggers, walkers, cyclists, and stroller-pushers alike along the 5K route.
Funding the PTO's Biggest Day of the Year
Beyond the costumes and community spirit, the Turkey Trot carries real financial weight for Webster Hill Elementary. It's the Webster Hill PTO's largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds supporting visiting book authors, field trips, teacher appreciation gifts, school community events, and other needs of the Webster Hill school community.
A report on the event's fifth year, published by Patch, described the race as an untimed 5K road race fundraiser for the Webster Hill Elementary School PTO, with a 3.11-mile course winding through the Webster Hill neighborhood. That earlier edition listed matching entry fees of $15 for children ages 5 to 13 and $25 for those 14 and up, with kids 4 and under running free.
Organizers are urging anyone planning to attend this year to factor in time needed for parking when arriving at Webster Hill Elementary School, given the crowds the holiday morning tradition has drawn in recent years. With registration staying open through Thanksgiving morning itself, families who haven't signed up yet still have a window to lace up before the 8 a.m. start.
