Turkey Trot Predict at Memorial Park

Turkey Trot Predict is a 5K prediction run at Memorial Park, 250 S Union Boulevard in Colorado Springs, on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Hosted by Pikes Peak Road Runners, the race has been held since 1978 and has always taken place on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

When registering, each runner predicts a 5K finish time. Instead of a mass start, a countdown clock reads 50:00 at 10:00 AM and each runner starts when it reaches their predicted time, so slower runners go first and the fastest go last. A runner predicting 40 minutes starts at 10:10 AM, and a runner predicting 30 minutes starts at 10:20 AM. Once the last runner starts, the clock is covered, so no one knows whether to speed up or slow down near the finish.

The course is flat, on pavement and cement sidewalks at about 6,100 feet, in a rough figure 8 with one loop around the criterium bike course and two loops around Prospect Lake. Watches, phones, and other timing devices are not allowed, and neither are headphones, earbuds, pets, strollers, or bikes.

Entry is $5 for non-members plus a RunSignup fee, and free for PPRR and SCR members. Registration is online only and closes at 5:00 PM the day before the race, with no race day registration. The six runners who finish closest to their predicted times take home a turkey, and the runner furthest from their prediction takes home a Cornish game hen. Register on RunSignup through the link on this page. Details are subject to change, so always confirm with the organizer before registering.