Tue, Nov 24, 2026

2026 Willow High School Turkey Trot

Fuquay Varina, NC

Opens Aug 29, 2026Annual since at least 2023

5K400m50m

Entry is $35 now and rises to $40 after Sep 25, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the 2026 Willow High School Turkey Trot

The course starts on the school track, then heads out around campus, along a greenway trail, and through a residential neighborhood before looping back. The terrain mixes pavement and trail, so there is a little of both underfoot. Separate shorter distances run entirely on the track, keeping younger kids close to the finish area. A costume contest runs during the main event, judged through social media.

Parking is off Kennebec Road rather than the main school entrance, which stays clear for the course. Signs will direct you in. Packet pickup is available the afternoon before at the school stadium, with race-morning pickup opening well before the start. If you pick up on race day, plan to arrive with time to spare.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K · 2025 results

297finishers

21:04winner

39:18median

1:01:41cutoff

Top 3: Archer Welch (21:04) · Bob Metzger (24:15) · Patrick Connelly (24:52)

The 2026 Willow High School Turkey Trot has been held every year since at least 2023. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K11/24/2026 07:45$35

5K11/26/2026 08:30$35

400m11/26/2026 09:30$10

50m11/26/2026 09:45$10

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

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Common Questions About the 2026 Willow High School Turkey Trot

Will I finish last at the 2026 Willow High School Turkey Trot?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 39:18, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:01:41, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the 2026 Willow High School Turkey Trot a good first 5K?

A field of 297 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the 2026 Willow High School Turkey Trot?

The 5K winner ran 21:04 while the median finisher took 39:18. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.