AI-generated illustration of runners at a Thanksgiving 5K start. Not a photo of the Go and Gobble 5K.
Sports
2026-10-035 min readGo and Gobble 5K: A New Thanksgiving Morning Race at Florida Horse Park in Ocala
This is a sports news article published on 2026-10-03 covering local Marion County, Florida news. The first Go and Gobble 5K runs Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, at 8 a.m. on the grounds of the Florida Horse Park in Ocala. Registration is $40 through Nov. 21 and includes a long-sleeve shirt and finisher medal.
Updated Yesterday
By Only In Ocala Staff
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Ocala has a new way to start Thanksgiving. The Go and Gobble 5K makes its debut on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at the Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Hwy 475 in southern Marion County. The 5K run/walk follows a course through the horse park grounds and is open to runners, walkers and families. "Every great tradition has to start somewhere," the race's registration page says of its first year.
Register for the Go and Gobble 5K
For a first-year race, the awards list is deep. Medals go three deep in five-year age groups, from 1-9, 10-14 and 15-19 up through 80 and older. There are also overall male and female winners and the top finisher in four masters divisions:
The Florida Horse Park is an equestrian venue on S Hwy 475 south of Ocala, and the race course stays on its grounds rather than city streets. The race page pitches the Go and Gobble as a Thanksgiving 5K for runners from across North Central Florida and a holiday race close to Gainesville and The Villages.
With an 8 a.m. start, the race leaves the rest of the holiday for family. For Thanksgiving meals and what else is open, see our Thanksgiving in Ocala guide. For more fall and winter races, including the Ocala Reindeer Run downtown on Dec. 12, see holiday road races in Ocala and our Ocala running guide. The race is also on our events calendar.
The official race logo. Image credit: Go and Gobble 5K / Run Ocala.
Race Details
- When: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Race-day packet pickup opens at 7:00 a.m.; the 5K starts at 8:00 a.m.
- Where: Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Hwy 475, Ocala, FL 34480.
- Cost: $40 through Saturday, Nov. 21; $50 from Nov. 22 through race morning.
- Included: a long-sleeve race shirt (sizes guaranteed for registrations through Nov. 21, then first come, first served), a Go and Gobble themed bib and a custom finisher medal.
- Early packet pickup: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Running Elements, 29 NE 1st Ave., Suite E, in downtown Ocala.
Register for the Go and Gobble 5K
Awards
For a first-year race, the awards list is deep. Medals go three deep in five-year age groups, from 1-9, 10-14 and 15-19 up through 80 and older. There are also overall male and female winners and the top finisher in four masters divisions:
- Masters (40+)
- Grand Masters (50+)
- Senior Grand Masters (60+)
- Veteran Masters (70+)
Why the Florida Horse Park
The Florida Horse Park is an equestrian venue on S Hwy 475 south of Ocala, and the race course stays on its grounds rather than city streets. The race page pitches the Go and Gobble as a Thanksgiving 5K for runners from across North Central Florida and a holiday race close to Gainesville and The Villages.
Planning Thanksgiving Morning
With an 8 a.m. start, the race leaves the rest of the holiday for family. For Thanksgiving meals and what else is open, see our Thanksgiving in Ocala guide. For more fall and winter races, including the Ocala Reindeer Run downtown on Dec. 12, see holiday road races in Ocala and our Ocala running guide. The race is also on our events calendar.
Sources: Go and Gobble 5K registration page on RunSignUp and the Run Ocala race listing, checked Oct. 3, 2026.
Go and Gobble 5K
Thanksgiving 5K
turkey trot
Florida Horse Park
Run Ocala
running
Ocala races
Marion County
November 2026
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