Zoom Turkey Trot
Zoom Turkey Trot: a flat, fast half on Thanksgiving.
Race Date
Nov 26, 2026
Location
San Jose, CA
Quick facts
- Date
- Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Location
- San Jose, California
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 5K, 10K
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 436
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
Thanksgiving morning on San Jose's Coyote Creek trail means one thing: the Zoom Turkey Trot. Now in its 13th year, this USATF-certified half-marathon draws a modest but devoted field—around 90 runners from roughly 5 states, with a 15% repeat rate. The course is pancake-flat and fast, ideal for a PR-hunting holiday run.
The paved trail winds along the creek, shaded by oaks and sycamores, with no major elevation change to slow your pace. With typical 40s–60s weather and no rain, conditions are near-perfect. The atmosphere is low-key and friendly, more community gathering than megaraid.
Every finisher gets a T-shirt and a chance to win a turkey—a simple, satisfying reward. For a low-stakes, high-value turkey trot with honest speed, this is a hidden gem. No frills, just a crisp morning run and a warm finish.
Race-provided description
Run along the popular Coyote Creek trail Thanksgiving morning and stand to win a turkey! The Half Marathon course is USATF certified (CA21023TEB).
Logistics
Race Day
Thursday, November 26, 2026
Start Time
8:30 AM
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Start Location
Hellyer County Park (Buena Vista Pavilion), San Jose, CA, 95111
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Scenery
Lake River, Park
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.1%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
CA21023TEB · 2022 ZR Halloween/Zoom Turkey Trot Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Quality Score
Standout7513 years running
~94 finishers a year
growing or steady
15% returning runners
USATF certified · 4 timing sources
runners from 5 states
winner 1:31:41
typical high 62°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
43°
Afternoon (High)
62°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.0"
Precipitation
7 mph
Wind
71%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 436 finishers actually crossed the line across 4 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
436
Median time
2:07:36
Latest turnout
119
States
10
Turnout by year
2022–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Zoom Turkey Trot?
The Zoom Turkey Trot is held on Thursday, November 26, 2026, starting at 8:30 AM.
Where does the Zoom Turkey Trot take place?
It takes place in San Jose, California.
What distances does the Zoom Turkey Trot offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 5K, 10K.
Is the Zoom Turkey Trot course flat and good for a PR?
The Zoom Turkey Trot is a ultra-flat, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Zoom Turkey Trot?
HalfRuns has finish records for 436 runners who have completed the Zoom Turkey Trot.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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