Turkey Day Race 2026
The New Orleans Athletic Club invites you and your family to a fun morning of running and spirited competition on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, at the Tad Gormley Stadium during the annual Turkey Day Race.
Turkey Day Race Origin
The inaugural Turkey Day Race was held in 1907 by Tad Gormley, a recognized athletic trainer and coach based in New Orleans. Gormley first found his footing as the physical director of the Young Men's Gymnastics Club, which is now the New Orleans Athletic Club. He went on to coach track, basketball, wrestling, and boxing at various universities from LSU to Loyola University New Orleans. Most impressively, he served as the an assistant coach for the 1932 U.S. Olympic track team, helping boxers and track athletes win gold. In Gormley's later years, he spent three decades as the superintendent and athletic director of the formerly called City Park Stadium, mentoring thousands of young athletes. Shortly after his passing in 1965, the stadium was renamed in his honor.
In 1986, the Turkey Day Race became a charitable event, with all profits going towards charities who supported this Thanksgiving tradition. To this day, the race is one of the oldest, continuously held non-marathon races in the U.S. The proceeds benefit Spina Bifida of Louisiana. In 2025, the Turkey Day Race achieved a record-breaking crowd of 3,800 attendees.
What to Expect on Race Day
There is a race for the kiddos and grown-ups, from the half-mile to the five-mile run. Runners can receive their packets prior to the race on November 25 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the New Orleans Athletic Club or the day of the race at 7 a.m. Members of either the New Orleans Athletic Club or New Orleans Track Club are eligible for a $5 discount.
The children's half-mile run is open to ages 12 and under and costs $30. At 8 a.m., the race begins at Beau Bassich Circle, near the Rotary Baseball Field and ends at inside the Tad Gormley Stadium on the track, even with the 50-yard line. Parents may walk or run with their kids for peace of mind. Strollers, headphones, and dogs are strongly discouraged for both the five-mile and half-mile run.
The five-mile run begins at 8:30 a.m. Participating costs $50 for adults 16 or older and $45 dollars for ages 15 and under. The fee covers a race shirt, bib, timing chip, food and refreshments, and more. The race begins on Roosevelt Mall Boulevard near the northside lanes and ends inside the Tad Gormley Stadium on the track, even with the 50-yard line. Following the five-mile race will be a post race party at 8:55 a.m.
The awards ceremony is tentatively at 10 a.m. The first, second, and third overall male and females and the first youth male and female of the five-mile run will be awarded. Four categories for those over 40-70 years of age will be awarded for winning first in the their age division of the five-mile run. Kids who finish first through fifth will be awarded as well.
To register and for more information visit turkeydayrace.com.
