Thoroughbred Classic 5K

43rd Annual Thoroughbred Classic 5K

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 26, 2026

Join us for the 43rd annual Thoroughbred Classic 5K on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM at Lexington’s historic Keeneland Race Course. 

Every Thanksgiving morning, runners and walkers from across the country come to Lexington, Kentucky, to take part in the Thoroughbred Classic 5K. Organized by Bluegrass Runners, the Thoroughbred Classic is a family-friendly event that benefits several local charities. We continue to be able to make an amazing amount of donations to local charities, last year was our best year at $85,000! Let's beat that this year!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Check our website and like our Facebook page for all the latest news and announcements. 

We continue to have great things planned for you: overall awards, another fun shirt design, kids 9 and under finisher medals, AND age group awards. It's everything you've come to expect from our event!

For 2026, we will again have a team option - create or join a team and win our largest team prize. Team participants must be registered by Wednesday, November 25th at 11:59PM to qualify.  Get your family and friends to join in on the fun. Please note that in addition to our Registration Fee, RunSignUp charges a fee for using their service. You are charged one fee no matter how many people you register at once, so you can save a couple of dollars if you register everyone in your group/family at the same time.

Also for 2026, we will be welcoming the Veterans VA 5K to join us as a charity since their race is postponed due to construction. Check out their website for more information. Veterans VA 5K

AWARDS

Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Seniors, and Age Group Awards will be presented. Turkey medals will be awarded to all children (ages 1-9) with an appropriate race bib. Stroller bibs ($5 untimed bib) are NOT eligible for a turkey medal.  

SWAG

While supplies last, registrants receive a commemorative long-sleeve technical shirt. We will again offer youth-specific shirts while supplies last. If you want to make sure you get your preferred size, REGISTER EARLY! Please make your size selection carefully.  There will be NO SHIRT EXCHANGES until after the conclusion of the race. Shirt sizing information and photos will be available on the race web page.  

Socks
We again plan to provide an awesome premium to our first 1,000 in person participants who are 10 years or older  -- a pair of PRO Compression brand technical running socks. BGR gets its own unique design each year! The socks are offered in S/M and L/XL sizes, with limited quantities of each size. Please arrive early for packet pick up for the best size selection. Sizing information is available on the race webpage.

NOTE:  Because kids 9 and under receive finisher medals, they will not receive a pair of socks. Virtual Participants will not receive socks. 

IMPORTANT DATES

• August 1st - REGISTRATION OPENS at $25 per registration 
• August 15th- PRICE INCREASE to $30 per registration (BGR Club member discounts still apply) and custom hoodies cost increases to $40
• September 1st- PRICE INCREASE to $35 per registration (BGR Club member discounts still apply)
• October 1st- PRICE INCREASE to $40 per registration (BGR Club member discounts still apply)
• October 12th - Deadline to register if you want to include your name on the back of the shirt.
• October 14th - Deadline to register and guarantee your shirt size.
• November 1st- PRICE INCREASE to $45 per registration (BGR Club member discounts still apply)
• November 2nd - Deadline if you want to guarantee your KIDS shirt size.
• November 4th - Deadline to register if you want your name on your bib.
• November 24, 2026 - 2:00-6:00 First day of Packet Pick Up at Barn 1 at Keeneland Racecourse, 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY
• November 25, 2026 - 2:00-6:00 Second day of Packet Pick Up at Barn 1 at Keeneland Racecourse, 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY

STROLLERS & DOGS

We understand that Thanksgiving is a family holiday and that for some families, they cannot participate without bringing their stroller or dog. Because these present unique safety considerations, especially in a race of this size, ALL participants must be registered. To provide the most enjoyable and safest race experience for everyone:

• A $5 untimed bib MUST be purchased for each stroller and each dog. Untimed bibs will be available for purchase during registration and on race day.
• All participants with strollers and/or dogs MUST start in the designated area BEHIND all the runners and walkers 
• Participants with strollers and/or dogs must be personally responsible for any strollers or dogs and not disrupt any other participant on the course. 
• NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES ARE PERMITTED.

If you do not follow these, or any other rules, or do not purchase a bib, you will be removed from the course. 

Untimed bibs must be purchased in addition to a regular participant's timed bib - that is, you cannot just purchase a stroller or dog bib and otherwise participate in the race.  

NOTE: Stroller and dog bibs are untimed and do not qualify for turkey finisher medals, shirts, socks or any other race giveaways. Stroller and dog bibs do NOT qualify as a participant in the largest team competition. 

PACKET PICKUP

What's a packet? For in person participants, your "packet" consists of (1) your race shirt, (2) your race bib with timing chip, and (3) if you registered early enough, socks. For virtual participants, your "packet" consists of a shirt only. NO packets contain any awards and we do not provide participant medals.

Packet pickup will be held at Barn 1 at Keeneland Racecourse, 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY. 

Packet Pick Up Day 1: Tuesday November 24, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Packet Pick Up Day 2:  Wednesday, November 25, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Registration is available at packet pickup.

Can't make it to packet pickup? 

For the in person event we'll also have race day packet pickup starting at 7:30 AM. We strongly encourage you to pick up your packet on one of the two packet pickup dates noted above if possible. If you choose race day pickup, please make sure to arrive at least one hour early to avoid traffic and parking delays. 

All packets must be picked up during the scheduled packet pickup times. There will be no packet pickup after the start of the race or in the days following the race. We do not have the ability to store packets. 

NO REFUNDS

Because we donate all proceeds to charity, there are no refunds, no exceptions. Thank you for supporting your local non-profits!

MAILED VIRTUAL PARTICIPANT PACKETS

If you register for our virtual race AND pay for your shirt to be mailed, it will be mailed to you the Monday after the race. (We do not have the shirts in time to mail before the race date.) If you want your shirt earlier or if you did NOT pay for mailing, you will need to come to one of the Packet Pick Up dates above and get your shirt. As noted above, virtual racers receive ONLY a shirt- no socks, race bib (number), or awards.

OTHER - RACE WEBSITE

The Thoroughbred Classic is presented by Bluegrass Runners (www.bluegrassrunners.org) and will be chip timed by BlueGrass Timing (BlueGrass Timing).
For a course map, race start/finish, parking, FAQs, and other more specific information, please check out our race website.

Thank you for your support!

Your Bluegrass Runners Race Director Team