Three Thanksgiving 5Ks in Fairhaven, Plymouth and Seekonk raise money for pantries and the Y
The Fairhaven Turkey Trot finishes on the Cushman Park track and collects food for Shepherd's Pantry, the Running of the Pilgrims starts at Plymouth Rock, and the Newman YMCA offers a 5K and a 10K in Seekonk.
SOUTH COAST Runners and walkers can start Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, at one of three races in Fairhaven, Plymouth and Seekonk that turn entry fees into food pantry money and YMCA scholarships.
The Fairhaven Turkey Trot and the Running of the Pilgrims in Plymouth are 5Ks, and the Newman YMCA in Seekonk offers a 5K and a 10K. All three take entries online, and the Plymouth race takes no paper registration at all.
Fairhaven Turkey Trot
The race starts at 8 a.m. on Green Street near Cushman Park and finishes on the track at Cushman Park. Organizers say the event "is for everyone," from walkers and runners to dogs, babies, grandmas and college students home on break, with volunteers along the 5K course and a clock at the finish line in place of a timing company.
Online entry is $32.80 for walkers and runners and $16.90 for children, fees included, through noon Monday, Nov. 23. In-person registration and bib pickup are at the SMEC building, 56 Bridge St., from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. on race morning.
Proceeds go to food programs on the South Coast, and runners are asked to bring nonperishable food for Shepherd's Pantry in Acushnet to bib pickup for the race's stuff-a-truck drive. Since 2010 the race has raised more than $130,000, and last year runners and their families gave more than 2,000 pounds of food to the pantry, organizers say. Volunteers are needed to keep the course closed and safe; the race takes questions at greaternewbedfordtrackclub@gmail.com.
Running of the Pilgrims, Plymouth
The 10th annual race starts at 7:30 a.m. at Plymouth Rock in Pilgrim Memorial State Park on Water Street, and its organizer, South Shore Race, bills it as a Thanksgiving 5K run "where it all began." Walkers are welcome, running strollers start at the back, dogs are not allowed and the course closes after 60 minutes.
Entry at the current rate is $35 for adults, $30 for students ages 11 to 18, and $25 for runners 70 and older and children 10 and under, online only. Bib pickup is at Marathon Sports, 9 Court St., from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, then from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Race-day pickup starts at 6 a.m. at the starting line, and online registration and bib pickup both close at 7:20 a.m.
Water Street from Union Street to Brewster Street closes to traffic on race day, with no parking there, and the organizer says parking meters must be paid from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. even on the holiday. There is no water stop on the course, so runners who want water should carry it; water is handed out at the finish.
Race money goes to the South Shore Community Action Council's food pantry program to help families with holiday meals, the organizer says, and the race also lists the Plymouth Family Resource Center under its charity information. The top three men and women overall and the top three in each age group can pick up awards at Marathon Sports after the holiday.
Newman YMCA Turkey Trot, Seekonk
The 18th annual Newman YMCA Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. at the Y, 464 Taunton Ave., with registration opening at 7 a.m., and runners choose a 5K or a 10K. Entry is $40 for the 5K and $50 for the 10K through Wednesday, Nov. 25, and $45 and $55 on race day, according to the YMCA of Greater Providence, which runs the Newman branch.
The race raises money for the Y's annual campaign, which pays for scholarships so children and families can join Y programs, summer camp, swim lessons and after-school care regardless of their ability to pay. The Y takes questions about the race at 508-336-7103.
Times, fees and pickup hours for all three races can change, so check each race page before heading out.
Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.
Notes
Every listing comes from the organizer's own race page: the Fairhaven Turkey Trot's RunSignup page and website, South Shore Race's Running of the Pilgrims page, and the YMCA of Greater Providence's Newman YMCA Turkey Trot page and registration page. We read them on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12, and checked each date and weekday against a calendar. Fees, times and pickup hours are as each organizer posted them then, and no race paid for a listing. Not heard: no one was asked; the guide quotes only the organizers' posted words.
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Sources (6)
- 2026 Fairhaven Turkey Trot (RunSignup race page)Thu. Nov. 26, 2026; Walk or Run $32.80 incl. $2.80 fee and Kid Participant $16.90 incl. $1.90 fee, 8:00 a.m., registration ends Nov. 23 at noon; 164 Green Street; course finish on the Cushman Park track; Shepherd's Pantry; no timing company, clock at finish; day-of registration and pickup at SMEC, 56 Bridge Street, Nov. 25 4 to 6 p.m. and Nov. 26 6:45 to 7:45 a.m.; start Green Street near Cushman Park. Read Nov. 11, 2026.
- Fairhaven Turkey TrotSince 2010 more than $130,000 raised; last year more than 2,000 pounds of food to The Shepherd's Pantry; stuff-a-truck at bib pickup; volunteers keep the course closed; prices $20, $25, then $30 until the race starts; contact greaternewbedfordtrackclub@gmail.com. Read Nov. 11, 2026.
- South Shore Race: 10th Running of the Pilgrims, 11/26/26Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, 7:30 a.m.; fees through 11/27; online only; bib pickup at Marathon Sports, 9 Court Street, Nov. 21 to 25, race day 6:00 to 7:20 a.m. at Plymouth Rock/DCR Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Water Street; walkers welcome, strollers in back, no dogs, 60-minute limit; awards; parking and meters; Water Street closed Union to Brewster; no water stop; South Shore Community Action Council food pantry; Plymouth Family Resource Center. Read Nov. 11, 2026.
- 18th Annual Newman YMCA Turkey Trot (YMCA of Greater Providence event page)Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2026; 5K and 10K; 8:00 a.m. start, 7:00 a.m. registration; 5K $40 and 10K $50 from 10/1/26 to 11/25/26, $45 and $55 on race day; proceeds to the Newman YMCA Annual Campaign scholarships; contact 508-336-7103. Read Nov. 12, 2026.
- Newman YMCA branch page (YMCA of Greater Providence)464 Taunton Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771; (508) 336-7103. Read Nov. 12, 2026.
- 18th Annual Newman YMCA Turkey Trot 2026 (ACTIVE registration page, organized by Newman YMCA)Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, 2026, Newman YMCA, 464 Taunton Ave, Seekonk; 5K $40.00, 10K $50.00; raises funds for the Annual Campaign scholarships. Read Nov. 11, 2026.