Turtle Trot Hilton Head
The Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5K: a flat run on the hard-packed beach on Thanksgiving morning, for the Sea Turtle Patrol.
- Next dates: Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving)
- Thanksgiving morning, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: race window
- Where: Palmetto Dunes Resort, on the beach
- Tickets: $35 for adults and $20 for children 0 to 12; prices rise after Oct. 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- Hosted by: The Hilton Head Running Company (Go Tri Events)
- Course: Hard-packed, flat beach with ocean views
- Packet pickup: Mon. and Tue., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Palmetto Dunes POA office; Wed., 8 a.m. to noon there, then noon to 10 p.m. at the Pass Office. None on race day
- Raising money for: Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
The Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5K is a Thanksgiving-morning run and walk on the beach at Palmetto Dunes, put on by The Hilton Head Running Company. Everyone, of every age and pace, is welcome, and it raises money for the Sea Turtle Patrol, the volunteers who monitor nesting and respond to strandings on the island.
Thanksgiving morning has another island 5K, the Hilton Head Turkey Trot from the Island Rec Center, which is a different race on a different course. The 5K races page lists both and the rest of the year's runs.
Running on the beach at Palmetto Dunes
The course is hard-packed, flat beach with ocean views, so it is a quick, level surface. The race window is 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving. Our Palmetto Dunes guide and beach guide cover the area.
$35 adults, $20 children
Children 0 to 12 pay $20, and a child's registration includes a shirt. Prices go up after Oct. 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
No race-day pickup
Monday to Wednesday of Thanksgiving week
Pick up at the Palmetto Dunes POA office Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon. On Wednesday afternoon, noon to 10 p.m., it moves to the Pass Office.
Race T-shirt
The registration includes a T-shirt.
Sea Turtle Patrol
Proceeds support Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island, which monitors turtle nests and answers stranding calls. Our sea turtle guide has more.
Turkey Trot and the other Thanksgiving races
People often mix up the Turtle Trot and the Turkey Trot. The Turtle Trot is on the beach at Palmetto Dunes. The Hilton Head Turkey Trot starts at the Island Rec Center and runs into Hilton Head Plantation. Both are on Thanksgiving morning, so choose one. Sea Pines' Dolphin Dash is the day before. See the 5K races page for all of them.
More Hilton Head races
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Turtle Trot on Hilton Head?
The Thanksgiving Turtle Trot is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, with a race window of 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Where is the Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5K?
On the hard-packed beach at Palmetto Dunes Resort. Packet pickup is at the Palmetto Dunes POA office and Pass Office, not at the start.
How much does it cost?
$35 for adults and $20 for children 0 to 12, with prices rising after Oct. 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Can I register on race day?
The race page says there is no race-day packet pickup, so register ahead and collect your packet Monday to Wednesday of Thanksgiving week.
Is the Turtle Trot the same as the Turkey Trot?
No. The Turkey Trot is the Island Rec Center's 5K, run into Hilton Head Plantation. See the Turkey Trot page.
Where does the money go?
To Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island, which monitors sea turtle nesting and responds to strandings.
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