One of the largest Thanksgiving races in the US, looping downtown from City Hall. Late November in Dallas can be a sunny 60°F or a blue norther in the 30s.
Plan for about 46°F (8°C) at the 08:00 start, feeling like 40°F (4°C), with 77% humidity and 8 mph wind, warming to roughly 49°F (9°C) by the finish. It rained on 2 of the last 10 race days. Wear: Long Sleeve Tech Shirt, Running Tights, Running Shoes.
Feels like 40°F (4°C) at the start · finish 49°F (9°C) · rain 2 of 10 · start air from 40°F (4°C) to 56°F (13°C)
Conditions at the 08:00 start on the race's usual date each year (thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)). Years when the race was cancelled or moved still show that date's weather. Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 archive.
Bar: air temperature from start to finish · dot: feels-like effective temperature · ≫ windy (15+ mph) · rain · shaded: PR band 40–50°F
| Year | Start temp | Feels like | Finish | Humidity | Wind | Rain | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 45°F (7°C) | 41°F | 48°F | 74% | 3 mph | – | Clear |
| 2024 | 44°F (7°C) | 37°F | 45°F | 64% | 10 mph | – | Overcast |
| 2023 | 44°F (7°C) | 37°F | 49°F | 57% | 8 mph | – | Mostly clear |
| 2022 | 56°F (13°C) | 54°F | 57°F | 97% | 8 mph | 1.32 in | Drizzle |
| 2021 | 49°F (9°C) | 37°F | 49°F | 53% | 17 mph | – | Clear |
| 2020 | 46°F (8°C) | 39°F | 52°F | 76% | 9 mph | – | Clear |
| 2019 | 46°F (8°C) | 40°F | 46°F | 87% | 10 mph | 0.30 in | Drizzle |
| 2018 | 42°F (6°C) | 37°F | 47°F | 89% | 6 mph | – | Clear |
| 2017 | 40°F (4°C) | 35°F | 46°F | 80% | 3 mph | – | Clear |
| 2016 | 47°F (8°C) | 43°F | 53°F | 92% | 6 mph | – | Overcast |
Coldest start: 40°F (4°C) in 2017. Warmest: 56°F (13°C) in 2022. Wettest: 1.32 in in 2022.
The time estimates apply published temperature–performance curves to this race's ten-year weather history. Performance peaks at an effective race temperature of roughly 40 to 50°F and degrades faster the warmer it gets and the slower you run (Ely et al., 2007; El Helou et al., 2012). Wind adds a cost that grows with the square of the wind speed (Pugh, 1971), split into head and tail components on point-to-point courses. Shorter races are penalised less. This is a model, not a prediction; your training and the course matter more.
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Built from the 10-year average start conditions by the same engine as the live tool. Treat optional items as corral-only layers you can shed.
Long Sleeve Tech Shirt
Breathable moisture-wicking fabric
Running Tights
Full-length compression tights
Light Gloves
Thin running gloves
Headband
Ear coverage without overheating
Running Shoes
Your regular training shoes
Wool Running Socks
Warm and moisture-wicking
✓ Worn by the author
Grid-fleece quarter zip for 25 to 40°F starts
$128
✓ Worn by the author
Compression tight for 40 to 55°F, works under shorts
$78
Touchscreen-compatible, windproof, and packable
$55
Warm, itch-free merino blend for cold runs
$38
✓ Worn by the author
Thin, ribbed quarter sock that keeps grit out
$36
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Over 2016 to 2025 the start averaged 46°F (8°C) (feels like 40°F (4°C)) with 77% humidity and 8 mph wind, warming to about 49°F (9°C) by the finish. It rained measurably on 2 of those 10 race days. The coldest start was 40°F (4°C) in 2017; the warmest was 56°F (13°C) in 2022.
For a typical 46°F (8°C) start: Long Sleeve Tech Shirt, Running Tights, Running Shoes. Dress for about 15°F warmer than the start temperature, since the race itself adds that much, and plan to shed anything you only need in the corral.
The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is usually held on thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November). The next expected date is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Confirm on the official site, since dates occasionally move.
The live forecast on this page comes from Open-Meteo and unlocks 16 days before the race. Forecasts inside 7 days are reliable for temperature within a few degrees; rain timing firms up in the last 2 to 3 days. Until then, the 10-year history above is the best planning guide.
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