Every Thanksgiving morning, tens of thousands of Austinites lace up their running shoes and head downtown to run in one of Austin’s most beloved traditions: The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot.
What began in 1991 as a casual fun run among a few hundred friends and ThunderCloud employees in Zilker Park has grown into a community event that draws more than 20,000 participants each year. The Turkey Trot has become an Austin holiday ritual that brings people together to celebrate community and compassion, all while supporting Caritas of Austin’s mission to prevent and end homelessness.
“My whole goal in this event is to give people an opportunity to have fun together and do good,” said Mike Haggerty, co-owner of ThunderCloud Subs and executive race director of the Turkey Trot. “Doing a good thing is the greatest prescription for happiness, and people need to be happier.”
Over the past 35 years, that simple idea has grown into something extraordinary. The Turkey Trot started with a few friends, one police officer, and a pickup truck full of cones. Today, it’s a massive operation involving hundreds of volunteers and thousands of participants of all ages, many running in costumes or alongside family members who’ve made the event a multigenerational tradition.
For Haggerty, the Turkey Trot’s partnership with Caritas of Austin was born out of genuine community spirit. After the first race, he looked for a local organization that was making a tangible difference in Austin. That search led him to Caritas.
“I walked into Caritas and just watched for about 30 minutes,” Haggerty recalled. “There was such a good feeling of people being helped and people being appreciative. It felt like an oasis for those who were down on their luck, and that’s how I got hooked on Caritas.”
Since then, the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot has raised over $5.4 million to support Caritas’s work providing stable homes and tailored services for people in our community.
“The most important thing this event does is create awareness for Caritas,” Haggerty said. “People want to help, it’s just hard to find the right vehicle. When people hear about Caritas and the success they have, they know it’s the best investment you can make in Austin to right a wrong.”
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Turkey Trot, a milestone that reflects both the event’s longevity and the heart of Austin itself. It’s a day that captures everything this city stands for: coming together, caring for our neighbors, and having a great time doing it.
Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, every step taken at the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot helps make Austin a more connected, vibrant community. Registration is open now. Sign up to run or volunteer and spend your Thanksgiving morning giving back and having fun with neighbors.
