The Townwide Fund of Huntington will hold its Thanks4Giving 4 Miler on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, starting and finishing at the American Legion Hall, 1 Mill Dam Road, Halesite. A Family Fun Run steps off at 8:30 a.m., and the four-mile run and walk follows at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Registration is open online now, and every entry goes to the Fund, which passes its runner revenue on to the local charities it supports.

The race draws more than 2,000 runners on Thanksgiving morning, according to the Fund's registration page. Runners often show up in costume, and the field ranges from competitive racers chasing an age-group award to families walking the course together before the turkey goes in the oven.

What the race supports

The Townwide Fund has been raising money for charities across the Town of Huntington since 1961, and it reports more than $15 million distributed in that time. Its service area covers the whole town, from Huntington village, Halesite and Huntington Station to Northport, Commack, Dix Hills, Melville, Cold Spring Harbor, Centerport, Greenlawn, Elwood and the rest.

In its 2026 holiday newsletter, the Fund says it presented $223,711 in grants to Huntington area charities at its Harvest Night in October. About a third of that money went to food security. Grants helped the Huntington Food Pantry buy a second commercial freezer and a refrigerator for its fresh produce program, and they went to Island Harvest, Long Island Cares, the Kiwanis Club of Huntington, Gloria Dei Joseph's Storehouse and others that feed local families.

The rest of the 2026 grants were spread across health care, education and child care, shelter and veterans' needs, and mental health. The list includes counseling through CN Guidance and Counseling Services, a youth prevention program at the Huntington Youth Bureau, camps and programs at the Huntington YMCA and Tri Community and Youth Agency, a new pergola for residents at St. Johnland Nursing Center, and support for veterans through United Veterans Beacon House. Two new recipients this year, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Pink Aid, received grants focused on endometriosis education and help for breast cancer patients.

The course and the extras

The four-mile route is certified by USA Track and Field, and the race is professionally timed, with live results available online, by email or by text. Finish-line photos and video are free. Awards go to the top three men and women overall and to the top man and woman in each age group, from 19 and under through 70 and over.

The Family Fun Run is untimed and is set up for school-age kids and their families. Beer from Six Harbors Brewing Company is poured at the finish line. Long-sleeve race shirts are handed out on race morning on a first come, first served basis, so earlier arrivals have the best shot at their size.

A few rules to know before you go: strollers, jogging carts, inline skates and dogs are not allowed on the course. Runners can also join or create a team when they register.

How to go

  • When: Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day). Family Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., four-mile run and walk at 9 a.m., rain or shine.
  • Where: American Legion Hall, 1 Mill Dam Road, Halesite, NY 11743.
  • Cost: $35 for the four-mile run and walk at the current rate ($38.98 with processing fees), rising to $49.33 with fees on race day. The Fun Run is $15 ($18.28 with fees). Families get a discount on each additional registrant, up to six. Extra donations can be added at checkout.
  • Register: Online through the Thanks4Giving 4 Miler registration page.
  • Bib pickup: Runners who registered by November 16 get their bibs by mail. Others can pick up on Tuesday, November 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Runners Edge, 355 New York Ave., Huntington, or on race morning from 7 to 8 a.m. at the American Legion Hall. Fun Run bibs are picked up on race morning from 7 to 7:45 a.m. Anyone collecting a bib on race day must arrive in that window.
  • Questions: Call the Townwide Fund at 631-629-4950.

Anyone who would rather give than run can donate directly through the Townwide Fund's website, where the organization is collecting for its 2026 holiday appeal for food, shelter, counseling and veterans' support in the Town of Huntington.

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