Surfin’ Turkey 5K returns to Hatteras Village on Thanksgiving Day – register now to secure your spot

The Surfin’ Turkey 5K and Puppy Drum Fun Run will return to Hatteras Village for its 14th year on Thanksgiving morning, once again inviting residents and visitors to start their holiday with a scenic run — and a good cause.

The annual event, organized by the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund (HIYEF), will be held on Thursday, November 27, and has become a Thanksgiving morning staple in Hatteras Village, bringing together residents and visitors for a family-friendly run that supports local education at Cape Hatteras Elementary and Secondary Schools.

The 5K kicks off at 8:00 a.m. in the heart of Hatteras Village, followed by the quarter-mile Puppy Drum Fun Run for children 12 and under at 9:00 a.m. The event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, from experienced runners to casual walkers, and concludes with a complimentary pancake breakfast where everyone can relax and catch up before the day’s Thanksgiving festivities.

Registration for the 5K is $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the event, while the Fun Run for kids is free, though donations to the island’s food pantry are encouraged. Organizers are also seeking volunteers to help with race-day registration, the water station, and breakfast service, and anyone interested in lending a hand can sign up online.

Shirts are guaranteed for those who register by November 10, and extras may be available for purchase on the day of the race. The racecourse winds through the scenic streets of Hatteras Village, offering ocean breezes and harbor views that make the event as memorable for its setting as for its cause.

All proceeds from the Surfin’ Turkey 5K benefit the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund, which provides grants and educational support to the island’s two Cape Hatteras schools.

The nonprofit has awarded tens of thousands of dollars in grants each year for student programs, classroom enhancements, and field trips, and organizers say the Thanksgiving Day run remains one of their most important and uplifting fundraisers.

Now in its 14th year, the Surfin’ Turkey 5K has evolved into a hallmark of the holiday season on Hatteras Island, offering a joyful way to give back while enjoying one of the Outer Banks’ most picturesque villages.

For more information or to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/NC/Hatteras/SurfinTurkey5KandPuppyDrumRun.