How to Register for the 2026 Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day Race

Updated

Registration for the 2026 Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day Race is open now, and you sign up directly through the official site at thanksgivingdayrace.com. Before you start, decide which event you want, since that choice drives the rest of the form. The site lists three options: the Western & Southern 10K, the TDR 5K, and the ProAmpac Kids Fun Run. Each has its own "Race Details" page, so confirm the distance and any age or entry conditions there before registering.

Step-by-step registration

  1. Go to thanksgivingdayrace.com.
  2. Find the registration entry point on the homepage. The page shows a "Register Now" call to action alongside the message that registration is open.
  3. Choose your event from the listed options — 10K, 5K, or Kids Fun Run.
  4. Complete the registration form with your personal details and submit.
  5. Watch for a confirmation from the race organizer after you submit, and keep it for race-day check-in.

The site does not publish the internal form fields, fee amounts, or payment methods on the pages available here, so treat those as things you will see only once you are inside the registration flow. If a fee or payment step appears, that is expected — the site references a "purchase" path for merchandise, and race registration is a separate transaction.

What to decide before you register

Decision What to check
Event 10K, 5K, or Kids Fun Run — read the Race Details page for each
Eligibility Any age or entry rules noted on the event's Race Details page
Merchandise Whether you also want the 2026 commemorative long-sleeved shirt and Cincy Hat, sold separately through the merch purchase link

After you register

  • Confirm your entry. Registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from the organizer. If nothing arrives, return to the site and check the registration status.
  • Plan race-day logistics. The Pella Recovery Zone sits immediately after the finish line and offers snacks, hydration, music, stretching, and photo opportunities — useful to know if you are coordinating with family or a group.
  • Check past results and photos if you want a preview. The site links to previous years' image galleries and results, which can help you gauge the course and atmosphere.
  • Order gear early if you want it. The commemorative shirt and hat are a separate purchase from registration, so do not assume they are included with your entry.

Common snags

  • Picking the wrong event. The 10K, 5K, and Kids Fun Run are distinct, and switching later may not be straightforward. Read the Race Details pages first.
  • Assuming merch is included. The shirt and hat are sold through a separate purchase link, not bundled with registration.
  • Waiting on confirmation. If you do not get a confirmation after submitting, follow up rather than assuming you are registered.

For anything the site does not spell out — exact fees, payment options, packet pickup, or transfer and refund rules — check the registration flow itself or contact the race organizer directly, since those details are not published on the pages available here.