Dayton Turkey Trot Half Marathon

All Community Events has held this race on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for over a decade, which suits runners who want a real half without giving up the holiday morning itself. The half and 5K both start and finish at Welcome Stadium, and the certified course makes it a legitimate late-season time trial.

From Welcome Stadium the route follows city streets and paved paths along the Dayton riverfront, staying mostly flat. The open river miles mean late-November wind matters more than elevation, and the certified distance keeps splits honest.

Late November in Dayton often starts below freezing and stays in the 30s or 40s. Wind along the open riverfront can bite, and cold rain or flurries are possible, so this is a gloves-and-layers race.