Murfreesboro has two turkey-season races in November 2026: the Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Borodash on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26. A third race, the New Year's Day 5K, follows on Jan. 1.
Every detail below comes from the organizers' own race pages and websites. Prices include or add the processing fee as noted on each page, and times are Central.
Borodash: Thursday, Nov. 26, City Plaza
Borodash is a Thanksgiving Day family event starting at Murfreesboro City Plaza, 111 W. Vine St. The race page says it is an in-person event and is limited to 4,000 runners.
- 4-mile run/walk: starts at 8:00 a.m. The race page describes a 4-mile walk or run through historic Murfreesboro.
- 2K walk: starts at 8:15 a.m. The 2K is untimed, and participants receive a race shirt and a medal.
- Sleep-In Superstar: a shirt-only option for people who want to support Borodash without racing. The shirt is picked up at packet pickup on Wednesday.
Borodash prices and deadlines
The 4-mile run/walk and the 2K walk are each $45 plus a $3.70 fee, or $48.70, through Nov. 25 at 11:59 p.m., after which the price increases. The Sleep-In Superstar is $30 plus a $2.80 fee, or $32.80, and registration for it ends Nov. 14 at 11:59 p.m. Register for Borodash on RunSignup.
Packet pickup
Packets are available Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North Boulevard Church of Christ (East Campus).
Who benefits
Borodash's website lists two primary beneficiaries: Neema House, a children's home in Geita, Tanzania, serving vulnerable children ages 0 to 5, and Greenhouse Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit in Middle Tennessee offering career counseling, skill training and basic necessities. Each year the Borodash board also picks three or four local nonprofits as spotlight beneficiaries; the site does not name this year's. See the Borodash calendar listing.
The race page and website do not post course maps, parking instructions, or stroller and dog policies. Check Borodash or its Facebook page for updates before race day. More holiday plans are in the Thanksgiving in Murfreesboro guide, and downtown events are collected on the Public Square page.
Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot: Saturday, Nov. 14
Barnabas Vision and Together as One host the inaugural Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot at Gateway Island and Reception Center, 1875 W. College St. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. Registration is $27.50, including a $2.50 fee, and closes Nov. 13 at noon.
The organizers welcome runners, casual walkers and families, including people pushing strollers. Participants can share what they are thankful for during the race, and the page promises "a few fun surprises along the way." Proceeds are split between Barnabas Vision and Together as One. Register on RunSignup or see the calendar listing.
Not a race: Discovery Center turkey programs
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 SE Broad St., has two turkey-themed programs. SPARK! Run, Turkey, Run is a drop-in program for young children on Monday, Nov. 16, from 9 to 11 a.m., priced at $4 and built around the book *Run, Turkey, Run!* with free play, a lesson on animal camouflage and a craft. Turkey Day on Friday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is included with general admission and free for members. It has a scavenger hunt with a prize, a community gratitude tree and turkey craft stations. More is in the Discovery Center guide.
More holiday races: New Year's Day 5K
The New Year's Day 5K is on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, at 10 a.m. at Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Veterans Pkwy. The race page calls it a family-friendly, electronically timed event sanctioned by the Better Boro Project, with a medal for every finisher and awards for overall and age-group winners.
Registration is $30 plus a $2.80 fee and includes a long-sleeve shirt; the page says to register by Dec. 6 to guarantee a shirt size. There is no race-day registration. Packet pickup is at Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., on Dec. 29 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., or at Barfield Crescent Park from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on race morning. Register for the New Year's Day 5K or see the calendar listing.
Places to train
Runners looking for a place to log miles before race day can use the Murfreesboro running trails guide and the Greenway. For other plans, see things to do in Murfreesboro in November 2026 and Black Friday 2026 deals and store hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Borodash start?
The 4-mile run/walk starts at 8:00 a.m. and the 2K walk at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, at Murfreesboro City Plaza.
How much does Borodash cost?
The 4-mile and 2K are $48.70 each, including the fee, through Nov. 25, and the price increases after that. The Sleep-In Superstar is $32.80 and registration ends Nov. 14.
Where is Borodash packet pickup?
North Boulevard Church of Christ (East Campus), Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Is Borodash virtual?
No. The race page says this year's race is an in-person event. The Sleep-In Superstar option is a shirt purchase for people who would rather not race.
When is the Thankful Steps 5K?
Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8:00 a.m. at Gateway Island and Reception Center. Registration is $27.50 and closes Nov. 13 at noon.
Is there a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day besides Borodash?
Borodash is the Thanksgiving morning race listed in Murfreesboro. The other turkey-season race, Thankful Steps, is on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Sources: Borodash on RunSignup, Borodash, Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot on RunSignup, Discovery Center: Turkey Day, Discovery Center: SPARK! Run, Turkey, Run, New Year's Day 5K on RunSignup.
*AI-generated illustration.*