SML Turkey Trot

09/11/2026

🦃 TURKEY TROT SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT! 🦃

We’re so excited to give a big THANK YOU to our Bronze Sponsor, SML Insiders! 💙

If you love Smith Mountain Lake as much as we do, chances are you’ve come across Smith Mountain Lake Insiders! They’re all about helping people enjoy, explore, and connect with everything that makes our lake community so special. 🌊☀️

From local events and dining recommendations to seasonal adventures and those little insider tips that make you feel like a local, SML Insiders is a fantastic resource for discovering the very best of life at SML.

And even better? They’re BIG supporters of the SML community! ❤️ We’re incredibly grateful to have local businesses like SML Insiders helping support events that bring our community together.

So whether you’re looking for your next lake adventure, a great place to eat, or just another reason to get out and enjoy SML… give them a follow and see what’s happening around the lake! 👀

And then come join us for a little community + fitness + fun at the Turkey Trot! 🦃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

📅 Thursday, November 26, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM
📍 Smith Mountain Lake State Park
🏃 5K Walk/Run + 1-Mile Fun Run
👟 Family-friendly! Kids welcome!
🐕 Well-behaved leashed dogs welcome!
💙 Proceeds benefit Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park

🎟️ Registration link in our bio!

A HUGE thank you to SML Insiders for supporting the Turkey Trot and helping us make this event—and our community—so special! 🦃💙

09/03/2026

🦃✨ SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Bay Roan Creative! ✨🦃

The Turkey Trot wouldn’t be the same without the amazing local businesses that help make it happen—and today, we’re giving a BIG shoutout to our Silver Level Sponsor, Bay Roan Creative ! 👏

Bay Roan Creative is all about great stories, creative ideas, and helping businesses shine through communication, marketing, branding, visual content, website design, and more. They’re also big believers in supporting the community—which makes them a pretty perfect fit for the Turkey Trot! ❤️

We’re so thankful to have Bay Roan Creative on our Turkey Trot team! 🦃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

And if you haven’t registered yet… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! 👀

🎟️ Registration is OPEN and currently at a discounted price!
⏰ That price won’t last—registration prices will go up in just a few weeks!

Grab your spot now and start making those Thanksgiving plans! 🦃🍂

👉 Click the link in our profile to register today!

📅 Thanksgiving Day | November 26
⏰ 9:00 AM
📍 Smith Mountain Lake State Park
🏃 5K Walk/Run + Kids 1-Mile Fun Run

Thank you, Bay Roan Creative, for helping us make the Turkey Trot happen! ❤️🦃

08/27/2026

🦃 Turkey Trot Sponsor Spotlight: AndPower! ⚡

We are so grateful to have AndPower Utility Contractor as a Gold Level Sponsor of the 2026 SML Turkey Trot!

AndPower knows that power restoration is about more than fixing lines—it’s about rebuilding communities and keeping life moving forward. Their commitment to safety, fast response, and the communities they serve makes them such a valuable part of our region.

They’re also a HUGE supporter of Smith Mountain Lake State Park and the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, making their support of the Turkey Trot especially meaningful to us. 💙

Thank you, AndPower, for helping us make this event possible and for continuing to invest in the Smith Mountain Lake community! We are proud to have you on our team. 🧡

🏃‍♀️ Registration is OPEN!

Our discounted registration rate is currently available, so now is the perfect time to sign up!

👉 Register through the link in our profile!

🦃 SML Turkey Trot | Thanksgiving Day | November 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM
5K Walk/Run + Kids 1-Mile Fun Run
📍 Smith Mountain Lake State Park

08/25/2026

🍂 Is that a little FALL we feel?! 🍂

Those cooler mornings are starting to roll in, and we’re HERE for it! 🙌 The crisp air, the changing seasons, the cozy fall vibes…

And you know what that means… THE TURKEY TROT IS COMING! 🦃🏃‍♀️🍁

Thanksgiving morning at Smith Mountain Lake State Park — 5K Walk/Run + 1-Mile Fun Walk/Run + ALL the fall feels!

The countdown is on! ⏰🦃

November 26 • 9:00 AM
Get registered and come start Thanksgiving morning with us! ❤️

08/17/2026

I’ve been hearing something lately that made me realize I need to make sure everyone knows…

“Oh! There’s a Turkey Trot at the lake too?! I’ve done one in [nearby city], but I didn’t even know there was one here!”

YES — Smith Mountain Lake has its very own Turkey Trot! 🦃🏃‍♀️ And it’s right here at Smith Mountain Lake State Park on Thanksgiving morning!

Whether you’re a seasoned Turkey Trotter, looking for a fun new Thanksgiving tradition, or just want to walk/run off a little of that pie before the big meal… we’d LOVE to have you join us! ❤️

🦃 4th Annual SML Turkey Trot
📅 Thanksgiving Morning — November 26
⏰ 9:00 AM
📍 Smith Mountain Lake State Park
🏃‍♀️ 5K Walk/Run + 1-Mile Fun Run

If you’ve never done the SML Turkey Trot, this is your year! Grab your family, your friends, your Thanksgiving crew, and come make some memories with us. 🧡

And if you’ve been doing another Turkey Trot for years… maybe it’s time to start a new tradition at the lake! 😉

Registration is currently at the lowest price you’ll see before the race — prices go up in just a few weeks!

www.runsignup.com/SMLTurkeyTrot

Let’s make Thanksgiving morning one to remember! 🦃🍂🏃‍♀️

08/13/2026

🍂🦃 THANKSGIVING MORNING. TURKEY TROT. LET’S DO THIS! 🦃🍂

There’s just something special about starting Thanksgiving morning with a little movement, a lot of fun, and the people you love. ❤️

The 4th Annual SML Turkey Trot is coming up on Thanksgiving morning — November 26 at 9:00 AM at Smith Mountain Lake State Park!

Whether you’re a serious runner, a casual walker, bringing the kids, or just looking for a fun way to earn that Thanksgiving feast… you belong at the Turkey Trot! 🙌

🏃‍♀️ 5K Walk/Run
👟 Kid’s 1-Mile Fun Run
🍁 Beautiful fall setting
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly fun
🦃 Thanksgiving morning tradition
💛 Supporting Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park

And YES — LAT is covering the parking fees this year, so you can show up, park, and enjoy the morning on us!

🚨 PRICE INCREASE COMING SOON! 🚨
Registration prices will go up in just a few weeks, so NOW is the time to get signed up! This is the lowest price you'll see between now and race day. 👀

👉 Register now: www.runsignup.com/SMLTurkeyTrot

I truly love seeing this event grow every year, and I’d LOVE to see you out there with us. 🥰

Grab your family. Grab your friends. Grab your turkey trot crew.
Let’s make this Thanksgiving morning one to remember! 🦃🍂

Join us at Smith Mountain Lake State Park for the region's only turkey trot 1 miler/5k on November 26, 2026.

08/06/2026

🍂 Two Fall Races. One Beautiful Park. Two Completely Different Experiences. 🍂

This fall, Smith Mountain Lake State Park is the place to be for runners of all kinds!

🏃‍♂️ October 18th: Looking for a challenge? The Shorefire Trail Races, hosted by Bonus Miles Outdoors, offer 10K and 25K trail races that will test your endurance while showcasing the incredible beauty of the park's wooded trails. If you love trail running, elevation, and pushing your limits, this race is for you.

🦃 Thanksgiving Morning: Prefer a fun, festive way to kick off your holiday? Join us for the SML Turkey Trot! Our family-friendly 5K Run/Walk and Kids' 1-Mile Fun Run are all about community, costumes, movement, and making Thanksgiving memories with family and friends.

Same amazing location. Same gorgeous fall scenery. Two totally different race experiences.

Whether you're chasing a new PR on the trails in October, celebrating Thanksgiving with loved ones in November, or tackling both, we hope you'll join us this fall at Smith Mountain Lake State Park!

🍁 Challenge yourself.
🦃 Celebrate together.
👟 Run one... or run both!

07/21/2026

🚨 NOT A RUNNER? PERFECT. 🦃

Good news: you do NOT have to be a runner to join the SML Turkey Trot!

You can walk.
You can jog.
You can run.
You can question your life choices somewhere around mile 2.5. 😂

Whatever your pace, this Thanksgiving morning tradition is for YOU! Bring your family, your friends, your kids, your dog, your neighbors, or that one person who keeps saying they need to start exercising. 👀👟

🏃‍♀️ 5K Walk/Run
🦃 Kid’s 1-Mile Fun Run
🌲 Beautiful Smith Mountain Lake State Park
🍂 A fun way to start Thanksgiving morning
💙 Supporting Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park

No pressure. No need to be fast. Just come out, have fun, and earn that Thanksgiving meal! 😉

📅 Thanksgiving Day — November 26, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM
📍 Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Tag the person who says, “I’m not a runner,” but you know you could probably convince them to join you! 👇🦃

06/23/2026

🏃‍♂️💨 Every great race needs momentum—and every great business needs visibility!

We're excited to spotlight our Platinum Sponsor, Savvy Promos SML, for the 2026 SML Turkey Trot! Whether it's custom apparel, promotional products, branded giveaways, or event merchandise, Savvy Promos helps businesses put their best foot forward and stay ahead of the competition.

Just like runners race toward the finish line, Savvy Promos helps brands go the distance with creative, high-quality promotional products that leave a lasting impression.

Thank you, Savvy Promos, for helping make the 4th Annual SML Turkey Trot possible!

🍂 Ready to join us on Thanksgiving morning?
Register today for the SML Turkey Trot 5K Walk/Run and Kids Fun Run:
👉 link in comments!

📣 Want your business to be part of one of Smith Mountain Lake's biggest Thanksgiving traditions? Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Connect your brand with hundreds of participants, families, and community members while supporting a great local event.

Message us today to learn more about becoming a sponsor!

06/09/2026

🚨 LAST CHANCE FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING! 🚨

If you've been thinking about signing up for the 2026 SML Turkey Trot, now is the time!

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Early Bird registration ends THIS SUNDAY, June 14th, and prices will increase after that date. Right now, registration is at its lowest price, so don't miss your chance to save and secure your spot on the starting line.

Join us Thanksgiving morning for one of Smith Mountain Lake's favorite holiday traditions! Whether you're chasing a PR, walking with friends, or making it a family tradition, the SML Turkey Trot is the perfect way to kick off your Thanksgiving celebration.

✅ Lowest registration prices
✅ Beautiful race course
✅ Family-friendly atmosphere
✅ 5K Walk/Run and 1-miler (there's something for everyone!)
✅ Thanksgiving morning, at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park
✅ Benefiting the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Don't wait until prices go up - register before midnight on Sunday, June 14th! Registration link is in the comments!

Who are you bringing to the Turkey Trot this year? 🦃