Looking for a holiday-themed fun run in Omaha? The Omaha area typically has several 5K and 10K races or walks in November and December.
Update: This post was first published in 2013 and has been updated to have 2019 races. Help me keep this updated! If you know of a 2019 holiday fun run, leave a comment with the details.

I’m one of those crazy people who occasionally run on Thanksgiving. It’s not an annual thing, but every once in a while, a few family members of mine get the idea that we ought to trudge out to some park in the freezing cold on Thanksgiving morning and run with a bunch of other crazies. It helps justify what we plan to eat later in the day.
Holiday races in Omaha in 2019
This time of year, you can find all sorts of themed holiday runs, most of them are just fun and not at all meant to competitive.
Turkey Trails 5k / 10k
When: Nov. 16, 8 a.m.
Where: Millers Landing, 151 Freedom Park Road
What: Turkey Trails is a Thanksgiving-themed run that is perfect for the whole family. The fun includes great swag (designer shirt, custom medal), chip-timing, live results and awards, free photos, costumes, free kids dash, great post-race food, and plenty of fun activities.
Cost: 5K & 10K are $32 (price increases on Oct. 27; Register here)
Feast & Feathers Trail Run
When: Nov. 28 at 8 a.m. (half-marathon), 8:10 a.m. (10K & 5K) and 10:30 a.m. (Lil’ Gobbler Trot)
Where: Glenn Cunningham Lake, Omaha (use Park Entrance #1 off State Street)
Cost: $60, half-marathon; $35, 10K; $30, 5K (price increases after Nov. 1 to $75, $50 and $30); Lil Gobbler Trot is five canned foods. (Register here)
Omaha Turkey Trot 5K
When: Nov. 28, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Lewis & Clark Landing and Riverfront Park, 515 Riverfront Drive
Cost: $36.99 for adults & $9.99 for kids 11 and younger (price increases Nov. 13 or next 250 sign ups; Register here)
Fremont Family YMCA Turkey Trot
When: Nov. 28, 8:30 a.m. (5-mile) and 8:35 a.m. (2-mile and 1-mile)
Where: Fremont YMCA, 810 N. Lincoln Ave., Fremont, Neb.
Cost: $20 (until Nov. 4), then price increases incrementally up to $35; walkers are FREE unless they want a T-shirt. (Register here)
Omaha Running Club Thanksgiving Fun Run
When: Nov. 28, 9 to 11 a.m. (4 miles)
Where: Lake Zorinsky, 3808 S. 156th St. (meet at boat ramp)
Cost: FREE (Details here)
Omaha Running Club Holiday Lights Fun Run
When: Dec. 8, 6 p.m. (4 miles)
Where: 10th and Harney streets
Cost: FREE (Details here)
Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run
When: Dec. 14, 8:45 a.m. (Reindeer Dash), 9 a.m. (10K) and 9:15 a.m. (5K)
Where: Strategic Air and Space Museum, 28210 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.
Cost: Runners and teams set fundraising goals. (Register here)
Candy Cane 5k / 10k
When: Dec. 15
Where: Seymour Smith Park, 6802 Harrison St.
What: The annual Candy Cane Course is a Christmas-themed run for the whole family. The fun includes great swag (designer shirt, custom medal), chip-timing, live results and awards, free photos, costumes, free kids dash, great post-race food, and plenty of fun activities.
Cost: Adult 5K & 10K, $32; youth 5K & 10K, $16 (Register here)
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Now that you’ve planned on a fun run, find more things to do in Omaha this holiday season. Here’s the ultimate guide to holiday events in Omaha for 2019!
Omaha has several annual holiday traditions!
