Thanksgiving Day Race

12/11/2024

One of the Best Turkey Trots in America!
When it comes to running, Cincinnati won again! The W & S Thanksgiving Day Race was just recognized as the sixth best “Turkey Trot” in America for promoting health, tradition, community spirit, and fun for friends and families alike.

This year over one million people will join in “Turkey Trots” in all 50 states on Thanksgiving morning, making it the biggest U.S. running day of the year, which makes the accolade even more prestigious for Cincinnati.

“This achievement reflects the hard work of our race leadership, volunteers, sponsors, and participants who come out in full force to run or walk this event in the spirit of helping local charities that serve so many across our community,” said John Barrett, CEO of Western & Southern.

There’s no need for speed on race day, just family fun! Try the W & S 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, and the ProAmpac Kids Run followed by the Pella Party on the field at TQL Stadium. Register right here.

31/10/2024

“Happy. Just happy. Not happy because of anything. Not happy about anything. Simply happy!” - Julie Isphording

And we’re happy because Halloween means that we’re one day closer to our favorite day of the year! Only 28 days. But who’s counting?!

It’s the little things that make BIG happy moments, and you and your family will find them everywhere — from start to finish — at the W&S 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, and especially the ProAmpac Kids Fun Run where you can watch 200 happy children fly through a quarter mile run with lots of laughter.  All the events are full of the little moments, the big moments, and the moments in between the moments. It’s your family tradition after all! Sign up soon!

24/10/2024

We have gifts galore in this year’s swag bag! Whether you’re running or walking in the W & S 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, or the ProAmpac Kids Run, the race bag will be full of fun. Our sponsors insisted!

Here’s our list (for now)! Warm running gloves, Chick-fil-A “Be Our Guest” free breakfast card, Tide Pods, Pella Head Warmer, Secret Deodorant, PepsiCo snacks, BOOM Chaga, Mahatma Rice, and Bounce. There’s even more to come.

It’s a huge value, but it’s not as valuable as the happy memories of crossing that finish line with your family and friends. You will store those in your heart forever. Go ahead and register right now.

14/10/2024

The best seat in the house on Thanksgiving Day morning will be the post-race Pella Party on the field (pitch) at TQL Stadium. In fact, you might want to run a little faster because when you step on the sideline of the field after your breathtaking run, you will see yourself on the big screen surrounded by your friends and family. Pella really know how to put on a party!

There will be refreshments — Alpine Valley Water, Hoist — and lots of healthy food, including PopCorners, PepsiCo snacks, and bananas from Wealth Planning Corp. We hope those “running legs” can still fast dance to fun music, and you capture it all in a photo (or two or three).

Oh, and please don’t bring anything. It’s on Pella! Just RSVP by registering for the race before the prices go up!

01/10/2024

In 1908, Cincinnati’s first turkey day run had only 18 finishers. More than 115 years after those runners raced from the Fort Thomas Gym to the YMCA in downtown Cincinnati, the race — still the oldest road race of any kind in the Midwest — has become a holiday tradition for thousands who run it annually with their family and friends.

From its modest beginning, the race has grown steadily over the years, peaking at 17,567 at the 100th anniversary run in 2009.

Another huge milestone is that the race has added a Chick-fil-A 5k, transitioned both courses to all Cincinnati, and added a post-race Pella party inside TQL Stadium.

“Each year, this is a wonderful cultural cornerstone during Cincinnati’s holiday season and a beautiful family tradition,” said Mayor Aftab Pureval who ran the 10k race last year. “I can’t wait to see residents of all ages come together and make this year’s race the best yet.”

Make it your best holiday tradition and be part of Cincinnati’s rich, healthy heritage. Register today by following the link in our bio or check out our website!

19/09/2024

The 115th Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day Race, one of the oldest and largest 10ks in the country, is making history again. The race will boast a new and bigger finish line for the 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, and the ProAmpac Kids Run to accommodate more runners and walkers this year.

There’s more! There is a cool new long-sleeve t-shirt you can purchase and warm free black running gloves that accompany lots of other free stuff from race sponsors in the race swag bags.

It’s turkey time. Party time. Holiday time. Make it your time on Thanksgiving Day. Register/RSVP today!

16/09/2024

The Fleet Feet Packet Pick-up and Expo will be at TQL Stadium – one of the most ambitious soccer-specific stadiums in the world. You and your family can pick up your BIG swag bag and shop for running essentials in a beautiful one-of-a-kind setting Monday through Thursday, November 25th - 28th. Parking is free and convenient in the East Garage, which is right next to the TQL Stadium entrance.

There will be plenty of volunteers from the Alzheimer’s Association, Girls on the Run, St. Ursula Academy, Keep Going 25, and the Ken Anderson Alliance to give you your stuff, and you can see the start and finish line from there too. Are you in? And how about the family? Register everyone today!

10/09/2024

We all know that the best things in life aren’t things at all. Wouldn’t you rather relax and enjoy the non-things of life? How about an hour (or two) walking and running with your close friends and family? How about a new and healthy challenge? How about running to help local charities? Cheering for your kids? Encouraging each other?

You can make it all happen on one THANKSgiving Day morning.

Don’t let the magic of Thanksgiving Day in Cincinnati run out. Join us for the W&S 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, or the ProAmpac Kid’s Run. It’s one big, beautiful experience. Sign up to celebrate the best non-things in life. The turkey can wait!

29/08/2024

Whether you’re running or walking the W&S 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, or the ProAmpac Kids Run, your steps really — REALLY — matter.

The Thanksgiving Day events benefit so many charities, people, and causes, including the Barrett Cancer Center, Alzheimer’s Association, Ken Anderson Alliance, Girls on the Run, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Keep Going 25, FC Foundation, Urban YoungLife, and more.

The race is filled with goodness and generosity from start to finish. You and your family are helping to keep others running. Register today because it matters … and it will make a whole lot of people happy and healthy and oh so incredibly thankful!

20/08/2024

“How beautiful a day can be when thankfulness touches it.” - Julie Isphording

And we have a lot to be thankful for! Registration for all the races includes a great swag bag, a great finish line Pella party inside TQL Stadium, and all the joy you can have knowing your participation supports many local charities. You can’t buy happiness, but this is pretty close! Sign upeveryone today — like right now!

09/08/2024

The 115th Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day Race, one of the oldest and largest 10ks in the country, is making history again. The race will boast a new and bigger finish line for the 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, and the ProAmpac Kids Run.

There’s more! The courses, all in Cincinnati, will be much wider to accommodate over 15,000 runners and walkers. And the post-race Pella Party — inside TQL Stadium — will have lots of food, music, and new features.

The event is not really a race — it’s more like a holiday running party for you and your friends and family! Make it your healthy tradition on Thanksgiving Day.

05/06/2024

“Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running.” - Olympian Julie Isphording

Happy Global Running Day! We can’t wait to celebrate running and community with you again in just 176 more days. The 115th running of The Western and Southern Thanksgiving Day Race will be on Thursday, November 28th, 2024. Stay tuned for more! 🦃

23/11/2023

Whether you ran the ProAmpac Kids run, the W&S 10k, or the TQL 5k, whether you were first or last or cheering from the sidelines, we’re thankful for YOU 365 days of the year.

An extra special shout-out to our INCREDIBLE sponsors and volunteers. The hours of work during Thanksgiving week and generous donations of time and resources do not go unnoticed. Thank you ❤️

We hope that each of you is spending the holiday with those that you love and gratitude finds you in big ways and small.

This time next year? 🦃❤️

23/11/2023

IT’S RACE DAY!! The ProAmpac Kids Run starts at 8:30am. Both the W&S 10k and the TQL 5k start together at 9am. We’ll see you soon, Cincinnati!! 🦃❤️

22/11/2023

We’re thankful to see SUNSHINE in the forecast! 🦃❤️

🎵Lord, I thank you for sunshine
Thank you for rain
Thank you for joy
Thank you for pain
It's a beautiful day-ay-ay-ay-ay
It's a beautiful day-ay🎵

You know this song?😍 Thanksgiving Day is by far our best day of the next 7! Just BRRR to start the race - GOOD LUCK, run fast to warm up!

LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV Thanksgiving Day Race
Full Forecast: https://local12.com/weather

22/11/2023

Two New Courses and One Big Finish!

Check out our website for a more detailed look at the course maps and elevation charts.

The W & S 10k has a brand-new course all in Cincinnati with a start and finish at TQL Stadium! And more good news, when Total Quality Logistics (TQL) heard about the new race headquarters at TQL Stadium, they jumped on board to sponsor a new, shorter race—the TQL 5k—to make the event bigger and better for more runners and walkers. Now everyone can do it all—run, and walk, and still make it home in plenty of time for turkey and pumpkin pie.

Strollers are allowed for both the W&S 10k and the TQL 5k.
We only ask that they line up in the back of the line for safety reasons.
NO DOGS on the course.

09/11/2023

Our winning city is all about orange these days — FCC, Bengals — so that’s why the W&S 10k and the TQL 5k swag bag will include ‘Cincinnati-orange’ running gloves. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate a winning city — and to celebrate your winning run/walk, too.

The swag bag also includes Tide PODS, a Pella head warmer, Secret deodorant, PopCorners, Downy, Bounce, Willow Balm, and an optional long-sleeve t-shirt, your winning race bib, and more.

02/11/2023

Whether you’re doing the W&S 10k or the TQL 5k, you will have many parking options on race day throughout Downtown and OTR -- from parking garages to on-street parking — just like the fans attending FC Cincinnati matches at TQL Stadium. In addition, here are several great garages that are offering a special flat rate of only $5 on race day. Let there be THANKSgiving in Cincinnati!
Washington Park Garage – 1310 Elm Street
Mercer Commons Garage – 1310 Vine Street
Kroger Garage – 107 E. Central Parkway
Town Center Garage – 1251 Central Parkway
Findlay Market Garage – 1810 Logan Street
TQL Stadium East Garage – 1507 Central Parkway (limited availability)
West End Garage – 1530 John Street (limited availability)
Oh, and remember, parking for packet pick-up is free 10am to 6pm, Monday, Nov.20 through Wednesday, Nov. 22, in the TQL Stadium East Garage. Register soon!