Never miss what is happening in Sussex County
Events, new openings and weekend plans from Newton to Vernon, Sparta to Stanhope. Straight to your inbox, free.
Looking for a turkey trot in Sussex County, NJ? Two races are open for registration on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026: the Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot presented by Krogh’s at White Deer Plaza in Sparta, and Vernon’s Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Both start by 8:45 a.m., so you can run, walk and still be home in time to get the turkey in the oven.
Here is what each race costs, when it starts, where it begins and what the organizers include, all taken from the official registration pages. Prices go up shortly before Thanksgiving at both races, so registering early saves a few dollars and helps lock in a shirt size.
Sussex County turkey trots at a glance
- Sparta: 1 mile fun run 8:15 a.m., 5K 8:45 a.m., Krogh’s Restaurant and Brew Pub, 23 White Deer Plaza. 5K $40 adults, $35 ages 17 and under. 1 mile $30 adults, $25 ages 17 and under.
- Vernon: Check-in 7 a.m., race 8 a.m., 68 Sandhill Rd, Sussex, NJ 07461. 5K. $30 individual, $25 each for groups of four or more (until the November 15 price increase), free for young kids.
Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot presented by Krogh’s
Date, time and place
The Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot is on Thursday, November 26, 2026 at Krogh’s Restaurant and Brew Pub, 23 White Deer Plaza, Sparta, NJ 07871, on the shore of Lake Mohawk. The 1 mile fun run starts at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K run and walk starts at 8:45 a.m. per the race page.
Registration and prices
- 5K run/walk: $40 adults, $35 ages 0 to 17
- 1 mile fun run: $30 adults, $25 ages 0 to 17
- Prices increase after November 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Register on the official RunSignup page. The race page says there are no refunds if the event is canceled for reasons beyond the organizers’ control.
Course, shirts and awards
The 5K is an out-and-back, USATF-certified course that starts and finishes at Krogh’s. Results use chip time. Every participant receives a t-shirt while supplies last, and the race page says the adult shirts are long-sleeved for the 20th anniversary, so it recommends registering early to get your size. Goody bags are not included.
Awards go to the top three male, female and non-binary finishers overall and in each age group, starting at 5 and under and running up to 80 plus, with youth age group medals too.
Where the money goes
Proceeds support the Sparta Education Foundation, whose stated mission is to promote educational excellence in Sparta Township’s public schools. After the race, White Deer Plaza and the surrounding streets are home to plenty of spots to grab coffee or breakfast. See our guide to where to eat and drink in Sparta, and our Sparta things to do guide if you have family in town for the long weekend.
Vernon Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
Date, time and place
The Vernon Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Check-in opens at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. The race page lists the location as 68 Sandhill Rd, Sussex, NJ 07461. It is run by the Vernon Township Department of Recreation, which lists it as a 5K on the township’s Recreation News and Events page.
Registration and prices
- Individual: $30, rising to $35 on November 15, 2026 and on race day
- Groups of four or more (the race calls them “flocks”): $25 per person, rising to $30 per person on November 15, 2026 and on race day
- Kids: free (the race page lists ages 10 and under at $0; its description says under 10, so confirm when you register)
Register through the official BikeSignup race page. Race shirts are guaranteed for paid registrants who sign up by October 31, 2026, and registration includes a race bib, swag bag and t-shirt.
Course and the feather prize
The race page describes the course as a combination of hills and turns through a rural landscape, and you can run or walk it solo, with family or as a team. Prizes go to the most fun feathers, so costumes are encouraged.
Bring a can for Harvest House
Proceeds benefit the Harvest House Food Pantry and Community Lunch Program, a nonprofit in Sussex, NJ. Organizers also ask every runner to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to local food pantries. For questions, the Department of Recreation is at 973-764-4055 ext. 2261. Planning a full day in town? Our things to do in Vernon NJ guide has ideas.
Sparta or Vernon: which turkey trot fits you?
If you want a certified, chip timed 5K with age group awards, Sparta is the pick. Its out-and-back course and later 8:45 a.m. start also suit runners who want a few extra minutes of sleep. Families with little ones get a dedicated 1 mile fun run at 8:15 a.m.
If you want a relaxed, costume friendly morning, Vernon is built for that, with prizes for the most fun feathers, group pricing for “flocks” of four or more and free entry for young kids. Its 8 a.m. start gets you home earlier, and the food drive makes it easy to give back on Thanksgiving morning.
Know before you go
- Parking: Neither race page lists parking details. Arrive early, especially in Sparta, where White Deer Plaza gets busy on race morning, and check your registration confirmation email for parking instructions.
- Packet pickup: Neither race page lists packet pickup times. Watch for race week emails from RunSignup or BikeSignup.
- Weather: Late November mornings in Sussex County are often near freezing. Dress in layers you can shed, and bring gloves and a hat for the wait before the start.
- Register before the price jumps: Vernon goes up on November 15 and Sparta after November 24.
- Kids: Sparta’s 1 mile fun run is a good fit for younger runners, and Vernon is free for young kids (check the age cutoff on the race page).
- Food drive: If you are running Vernon, pack a non-perishable item for the pantry donation.
Plan your whole holiday season. Our free weekly newsletter rounds up Thanksgiving weekend events, holiday markets and things to do across all 24 Sussex County towns. Subscribe free here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Sparta turkey trot start?
The 1 mile fun run starts at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at Krogh’s in White Deer Plaza.
How much is the Vernon Turkey Trot?
$30 for individuals and $25 per person for groups of four or more, rising to $35 and $30 on November 15, 2026. Young kids run free; check the race page for the age cutoff.
Can you walk a turkey trot in Sussex County?
Yes. Sparta’s 5K is a run/walk with a 1 mile fun run/walk option, and Vernon’s race page says you can run or walk.
Do turkey trot runners get a shirt?
Sparta gives every participant a t-shirt while supplies last. Vernon guarantees a shirt for paid registrants who sign up by October 31, 2026.
Who benefits from the Sussex County turkey trots?
Sparta’s race supports the Sparta Education Foundation. Vernon’s race benefits Harvest House Food Pantry and Community Lunch Program in Sussex.
Primary sources for this guide: Sparta Education Foundation Turkey Trot on RunSignup, Vernon Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on BikeSignup, Vernon Township Recreation News and Events.
Featured photo: stock image of a road race, for illustration only. Photo by Stephen Leonardi via Pexels.
Have a Sussex County event coming up?
Share it with Sussex County.
Festivals, fundraisers, 5Ks, school nights, grand openings. Send us the date, time, place and a flyer, and our team will reach out about getting it in front of Sussex County.
Enjoying our Sussex County coverage?
Add us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in your Google results.
Add as a preferred source
