Thoroughbred Classic 5K

42nd Annual Thoroughbred Classic 5K

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 27, 2025

UPDATE - Registrations have been amazing this year. But to ensure the best race experience for everyone, we are capping our registrations at 3,300. There will be NO extra registrations above that number, EVEN RACE MORNING. We thank you for your understanding.  

Join us for the 42nd annual Thoroughbred Classic 5K on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025 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, typically over $40,000! 

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 2025, 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 26th 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.

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.  

Back by popular demand!
During registration you'll have the option to purchase an additional Club-themed technical hoodie!

Socks
We again plan to provide an awesome premium to our first 1,000 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.  

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 3rd - Deadline to Order a Custom technical hoodie.
• October 15th - Deadline to register if you want to include your name on the back of the shirt.
• November 1st- PRICE INCREASE to $45 per registration (BGR Club member discounts still apply)
• November 3rd - Deadline if you want to guarantee your KIDS shirt size.
• November 5th - Deadline to register if you want your name on your bib.
• November 25, 2025 - 2:00-6:00 First day of early Packet Pick Up at Barn 2 at Keeneland Racecourse, 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY
• November 26, 2025 - 2:00-6:00 Second day of early Packet Pick Up at Barn 2 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

Early packet pickup will be held at Barn 2 at Keeneland Racecourse, 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY. 

Packet Pick Up Day 1: Tuesday November 25, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Packet Pick Up Day 2:  Wednesday, November 26, 2025 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. 

For the virtual race, there is a mailing option during registration. Because we receive shirts close to the race date and shipping is always busier close to the holidays, mailed packets will not be mailed until after the race.

NO REFUNDS

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

VIRTUAL PACKETS

If you register for our virtual race AND pay for your packet to be mailed, it will be mailed to you the Monday after the race. (We do not have the swag in time to mail before the race date.) If you want your packet earlier or if you did NOT pay for mailing, you will need to come to Packet Pick Up and get your virtual packet.

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.