36th Annual YMCA Run Thru The Woods

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- YMCA Run Thru The Woods has been one of the premier running and walking family events in Texas for 36 years. A popular holiday tradition, held on Thanksgiving morning in The Woodlands, attracts more than 5300 participants annually from around the country.

Running for a CAUSE: The annual event has raised more than $3,700,000 since it began. Funds raised supports local YMCA programs and services such as Healthy Families, Youth Development, Teen Leadership, Safety Around Water, The Arts, Food Insecurity, Social Isolation, Learning Gaps, Health Disparities, and Racial Inequity. Thank you to our generous sponsors who support running for a cause: The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston Methodist Hospital The Woodlands, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, BMW of The Woodlands, Excelerate Energy, Alight Solutions, The Ritz-Carlton Residences – The Woodlands, The Woodlands Township, Pepsi, Fleet Feet, Spectrum Events, T-Shirts Plus, Market Street and Alpha & Omega Mounted Patrol.

The event is Thanksgiving Morning, November 27, 2025, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands Town Center. Start and Finish Line is located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive. Designed for everyone, regardless of fitness level, to participate, categories and start times include a competitive one-mile Children’s Race, for ages 2-12, starting at 7:30 a.m.; a five-mile race at 8:15 a.m.; and a three-mile race and three-mile walk starting at 8:25 a.m. Wear your favorite Thanksgiving costume. Strollers are welcomed but please leave your bikes and pets, (exception is service animals) at home.

Awards include special prize package to the overall top three finishers, male and female, in both the five-mile run and three-mile run. Awards will be awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers, male and female, in each age group including five-mile, five-mile masters division, three mile race, and three-mile masters division. In the one-mile children’s race, first through third place awards will be distributed to the top three finishers overall and in each age group, male and female. A special finisher medal will be handed out at the finish line to all participants.

“Over the years, this popular holiday event has never lost touch with its mission: To provide a fun community event for all ages and all levels, promoting youth development, healthy living, community service and social responsibility as well as raising awareness and funds for the deserving youth organizations the event supports,” said Blake Kelly, Community Development Director of The Woodlands Family YMCAs. “Give Back. Give Thanks. Have Fun. Let’s RUN! YMCA Run Thru The Woods is a great way to begin Thanksgiving Day and kick off the holiday season. There’s the excitement of thousands of people pulling together with purpose, and it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, to encourage each other, and give thanks and support local nonprofits, including the YMCA. Now, more than ever, we need opportunities to reconnect and find purpose in our lives! We live in a very generous and caring community.”

Register Early and Save. Registration ends at 11am on Wednesday, November 26. There is no race day morning registration. To learn more and register for YMCA Run Thru The Woods, visit ymcahouston.org/ymca-run-thru-the-woods or call 281-367-9622.

Pre-Race Packet Pick Up will be available at the Shadowbend YMCA, 6145 Shadowbend Place in the Woodlands, November 22 – 26.
Nov. 22: 10am – 5pm.
Nov. 23: 1pm - 4pm.
Nov. 24 & Nov. 25: 9am – 7pm.
Nov. 26: 8am – 11am.
Race Day morning packet pick up available at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion beginning at 5:00am.

Volunteer opportunities still available. For more information contact Blake Kelly, 281-367-9622, or blake.kelly@ymcahouston.org.