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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10K Run | 10K | Nov 26, 20268:00 AM | $35$40 after Oct 1, 2026 | 1,000 |
| 5K Run/Walk | 5K | Nov 26, 20268:05 AM | $35$40 after Oct 1, 2026 | 5,000 |
| 1 Mile Fun Run | Kids | Nov 26, 20268:15 AM | $35$40 after Oct 1, 2026 | 500 |
| Virtual 10KVirtual | 10K | Nov 26, 20268:00 AM | $35$40 after Oct 1, 2026 | 500 |
| Virtual 5KVirtual | 5K | Nov 26, 20268:05 AM | $35$40 after Oct 1, 2026 | 500 |
| Virtual 1 Mile Fun RunVirtual | Kids | Nov 26, 20268:15 AM | $35$40 after Oct 1, 2026 | 500 |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 10K fee goes up to $40 on Oct 1, 2026.
Online registration closes Nov 26, 2026, unless the race fills first.
At $35, entry is about the same as a typical 10K in Michigan ($38).
A typical finisher at a 10K in Michigan runs 1:01:56, about 9:58 a mile, based on 112 races with published results. Women typically finish in 1:05:47 and men in 58:40.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:47 AM, and the 10K Run starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 740 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
905 N Front Street, Niles, MI 49120
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 (Classic Race Management) for Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
At the 2025 5K Run/Walk, the fastest tenth finished in 25:31 or better, the top quarter in 29:59, and half the field in 37:37; the last tenth came in after 57:24.
At the 2025 10K Run, the fastest tenth finished in 42:37 or better, the top quarter in 49:50, and half the field in 56:53; the last tenth came in after 1:15:32.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 20:39 | 18:03 |
| 20-29 | 23:49 | 20:27 |
| 30-39 | 22:58 | 21:37 |
| 40-49 | 25:02 | 20:59 |
| 50-59 | 27:09 | 21:56 |
| 60-69 | 34:18 | 24:30 |
| 70+ | 48:20 | 31:21 |
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 12 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 1,416 to 1,660 finishers, and the median time rose from 33:18 to 37:37.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,660 (-15%) | 37:37 | under 25:31 | 17:24 |
| 2024 | 1,952 (same) | 36:29 | under 24:49 | 16:28 |
| 2023 | 1,958 (+24%) | 35:22 | under 24:32 | 17:06 |
| 2022 | 1,575 (+11%) | 35:11 | under 24:20 | 17:00 |
| 2021 | 1,416 | 33:18 | under 23:34 | 16:56 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
Slower than most Michigan 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:59, against 28:36 in a typical Michigan 5K, so times here run 5 percent slower.
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 31°F at dawn to 44°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 24% of days. Cold snaps dip to 19°F and hot years reach 52°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 Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run cover on their registration page, in brief.
Schedule and packet pickup
Wednesday, November 25, 2026. 1:00 - 6:00 PM - Packet Pickup & Registration. Thursday, November 26, 2026. 6:30 AM - Packet Pickup & Registration. 8:00 AM - 10K Run. 8:05 AM - 5K Run/Walk. 8:15 AM - 1 Mile Fun Run.
Schedule and packet pickup
Pick up your race materials at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA during the following times: Wednesday, November 25 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Thursday, November 26 (Race Day) | 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM. Participants will receive this year’s race shirt and other…
Course
With the virtual race option, you can complete your run wherever it works best for you—around your neighborhood, on a treadmill, at a local park, or even along the original course! You’ll have from Thursday, November 26, through Saturday…
Course
In 2024, M-DOT restrictions required a change to the Thanksgiving Day Run course. Please note: Main Street and the Main Street Bridge will NOT be used. All participants will now only cross the Broadway Street Bridge, which will be closed…
Shirt and medal
Register by Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM to guarantee your race shirt! All participants—virtual and in-person—who sign up before the deadline will receive a long-sleeve, dry-fit shirt as part of their registration.
Awards
The awards ceremony will take place outside the front entrance of the YMCA. Trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female winners of the 10K and 5K Runs. Medals will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in each…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
For more than 44 years, the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run has been a cherished tradition, uniting our community for a morning of fun, fitness, and philanthropy in support of the YMCA’s Annual Campaign.
Each year, over 2,700 participants lace up their shoes, gather their families, and head out to create lasting memories. Whether they're racing to beat "Tom the Turkey" or simply getting a head start on those holiday calories, the true spirit of the day is about coming together in gratitude with family, friends, and neighbors.