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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Wave 5k Run | 5K | Nov 26, 20267:40 AM | $35$38 after Oct 31, 2026 | 350 |
| 2K Walk | Other | Nov 26, 20268:15 AM | $35$38 after Oct 31, 2026 | – |
| Blue Wave 5k Run | 5K | Nov 26, 20268:15 AM | $35$38 after Oct 31, 2026 | – |
| Kids’ Fun Run | Kids | Nov 26, 20269:00 AM | Free | – |
| Sponsors Tshirts ONLY | – | Nov 26, 20269:00 AM | Free | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 5K fee goes up to $38 on Oct 31, 2026.
Online registration closes Nov 26, 2026, unless the race fills first.
At $35, entry is about 17 percent above a typical 5K in Pennsylvania, which costs $30 right now.
A typical finisher at a 5K in Downingtown runs 31:11, about 10:02 a mile, based on 8 races with published results. Women typically finish in 33:14 and men in 29:32.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:00 AM, and the Gold Wave 5k Run starts at 7:40 AM. The start sits about 540 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
445 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Aggregated from official results (Chester County Racing Services) for Chester County Turkey Trot. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
At the 2025 Blue Wave 5k Run, the fastest tenth finished in 24:44 or better, the top quarter in 27:43, and half the field in 31:50; the last tenth came in after 42:48.
At the 2025 Gold Wave 5k Run, the fastest tenth finished in 17:02 or better, the top quarter in 19:20, and half the field in 21:14; the last tenth came in after 24:26.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 22:21 | 19:19 |
| 20-29 | 23:08 | 21:44 |
| 30-39 | 21:47 | 21:24 |
| 40-49 | 22:34 | 21:51 |
| 50-59 | 23:46 | 21:51 |
| 60-69 | 28:20 | 25:56 |
| 70+ | 35:25 | 29:33 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Up 5 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 1,519 to 1,610 finishers, and the median time rose from 31:16 to 31:50.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,610 (+71%) | 31:50 | under 24:44 | 17:38 |
| 2024 | 940 (-40%) | 31:11 | under 24:19 | 18:20 |
| 2023 | 1,564 (+9%) | 31:01 | under 24:00 | 17:48 |
| 2022 | 1,434 (-6%) | 30:34 | under 24:07 | 18:27 |
| 2021 | 1,519 | 31:16 | under 24:11 | 19:04 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
About average for Pennsylvania 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 27:43, against 27:10 in a typical Pennsylvania 5K, so times here are about average.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Around November 26 the day usually runs from 33°F at dawn to 48°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 27% of days. Cold snaps dip to 25°F and hot years reach 56°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
What the organizers of Chester County Turkey Trot cover on their registration page, in brief.
Course
2025 Course Map ***. Gold 5K. Blue Wave 5K. 2K mi walk. Kids’ Fun Run. 9:00 AM Warm-Ups Start. 9:15 AM 100m Dash 0 - 4. 9:20 AM Quarter Mile (1 Lap) Kindergarten & Older. 9:25 AM Half Mile (2 Laps) 3rd Grade & Older. 9:15 AM-10:00 AM Track…
Parking and travel
2024 PARKING AND RACE START. PARKING. Parking will be off-campus for this year’s Turkey Trot. NO PARKING at the schools! Where is parking AVAILABLE? St. Joseph’s Church (across from DWest) (332 Manor Avenue, Downingtown). Kerr Park (Only ½…
The cause
I n 2023, over 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. were expected to be diagnosed with cancer. About 1600 of those children will die from their disease. Although survival rates have increased over the past few decades, childhood…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
The Chester County Turkey Trot is celebrating its 25th year and there's still nothing better than spending time with friends and family on Thanksgiving Day! We are excited to bring the community together once again for a fun social event and a great cause! Did you know that this race has helped to raise funds for childhood cancer research since 2012? Get a festive start to YOUR Thanksgiving morning at the Chester County Turkey Trot 5k Run/1mile Walk and help children facing a cancer diagnosis (through sponsorships and donations) through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). The previous race beneficiary, Cure4Cam Childhood Cancer Foundation, has transitioned to The Cure4Cam Hero Fund through ALSF.