The Camp Letts Turkey Chase Charity Race is back on Thanksgiving morning, giving runners and walkers in Edgewater and greater Annapolis a chance to earn their stuffing with a scenic 5K and 10K that also sends kids to summer camp. The annual event returns Thursday, November 27, 2025, at YMCA Camp Letts in Edgewater, Maryland, and is billed as the camp’s largest community fundraiser of the year.
Thanksgiving 5K and 10K With A Cause
The Camp Letts Turkey Chase features two live, in-person events: a 10K run and a 5K run, both starting at 8:30 a.m. on the camp’s grounds along the Rhode River. Online registration for each race is open with discounted youth pricing and free entry for kids ages 6 and under when registered with an adult.
This Thanksgiving race is more than a calorie burner. Camp Letts hosts more than 3,000 campers each summer on its 220-acre waterfront property, with over 20 buildings that need regular upkeep. Proceeds from the Turkey Chase help maintain aging facilities and, just as importantly, fund scholarships so children who might not otherwise afford camp can still get the overnight-camp experience.
Race Day Schedule: Before The Turkey, Hit The Trail
For runners who like a plan almost as much as pumpkin pie, the Camp Letts Turkey Chase has a clear race-day schedule:
- 7:00 a.m. – Packet pickup opens
- 8:20 a.m. – Road closes and flag-raising with the national anthem
- 8:25 a.m. – Race-day registration closes
- 8:30 a.m. – 10K start
- 8:45 a.m. – 5K start
- 9:45 a.m. – Awards ceremony and road reopens
That leaves plenty of time to get home, change, and casually pretend the mashed potatoes were the hardest workout of the day.
Biggest Side Dish: Community Support
The Turkey Chase has drawn as many as 1,000 runners and family members in past years, making it a major community event for Edgewater, Annapolis, and the surrounding area. Sponsors, donors, and volunteer fundraisers help Camp Letts stretch each registration dollar even further, bringing neglected corners of the property back to life and opening camp to more local families.
Organizers say the race is a good fit for serious runners chasing a Thanksgiving PR and families who are mainly chasing each other. Strollers are welcome, and the atmosphere leans more “fun run” than “intimidating starting line.” The only real pressure is deciding whether to wear a normal race outfit or lean into a full turkey costume.
How To Register For Camp Letts Turkey Chase
Registration, volunteer sign-up, and donation options for the Camp Letts Turkey Chase Charity Race are available online through RunSignup. Participants can choose the 5K or 10K, donate directly to Camp Letts, or set up a personal fundraising page to invite friends and family to support the cause.
For runners looking for a Thanksgiving 5K or 10K near Annapolis that gives back to local kids, the Camp Letts Turkey Chase offers the full package: a holiday tradition, a scenic course, and a good reason to go back for seconds at dinner.
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