Forget the Turkey Trot: Join The Pathfinder for the First-Ever "Cousin Walk"

Forget the Turkey Trot. This Thanksgiving, The Pathfinder is giving another beloved holiday tradition its moment in the sun — or haze. On Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m., The Pathfinder will host The Cousin Walk, a communal  stroll beginning at Romeo’s NYC (118 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009) that will roll into a lap around New York City’s Tompkins Square Park, inspired by that time-honored Thanksgiving ritual: disappearing from the family gathering to “take a walk” with your cousins. You know the one.  RSVPs required – Must be 21+ to participate.

For generations, cousins across America have exchanged a knowing glance sometime between arriving at Thanksgiving and sitting down for dinner before announcing to the family that they’re going outside for some fresh air. Where are they going? Why does everyone suddenly want to take a walk? And why do they return so enthusiastic about mashed potatoes? Some traditions don’t require explanation.

This year, The Pathfinder is taking the Cousin Walk out of the group chat and into the streets of New York City.

Designed as an alternative to the Turkey Trot, The Cousin Walk trades race bibs for t-shirts, trophies for stash cans, and competition for a leisurely pre-holiday stroll with a few hundred of your closest cousins.

There is no race and no winner. There isn’t even a requirement that your actual cousin attend.

Biological cousins, chosen cousins, honorary cousins, friends, neighbors and anyone who has ever volunteered to “go for a walk” at Thanksgiving are invited.

Here’s how it works: Participants will gather at The Pathfinder’s branded Cousin Walk headquarters outside of Romeo’s NYC (118 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009), where the first 100 registered walkers can collect an official Cousin Walk T-shirt, and a cold Pathfinder spritz, before embarking on a leisurely, approximately 12-minute group walk around the park.

Because finishing a walk deserves at least as much recognition as finishing a 5K: Upon crossing the finish line on St. Marks Pl, participating Cousin Walkers can claim their limited-edition Pathfinder Spritz stash can — the official Cousin Walk finisher’s medal (while supplies last), do a shot of Pathfinder, and keep things going at the Official Cousin Walk After-Party “Session” at Romeo’s on St. Marks Place.

Once inside Romeo’s, flash your registration and settle in for complimentary light bites and post-trot tipples (including one Pathfinder cocktail per registrant), with additional libations and bites available pay-as-you go. 

The dress code? Comfortable.

The pace? Extremely manageable.

The policy? BYOW — Bring Your Own W**d. Must be 21+. Stop by Bellanova (331 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003) for special discounts: 3 pre-rolls for $20.

“Thanksgiving is all about getting together with friends and loved ones – and it’s our belief that the best traditions are the ones people create themselves,” said Pathfinder Co-Founder Chris Abbott. “The Cousin Walk is meant to be an icebreaker of shorts that allows us a chance to catch up, chat candidly and enjoy some fresh air. At a time when we're glued to our phones, it feels right to have a communal walk, a good drink and a smoke to enjoy real life." 

The Cousin Walk is a natural extension of The Pathfinder’s mission to transform the future of the back bar — and drinking culture along with it. A non-alcoholic spirit made from fermented and distilled hemp, The Pathfinder has never been particularly interested in following the traditional rules of drinking. Instead, it’s helping write new ones — from what belongs behind the bar to the rituals that bring us together.

And on November 22, it’s applying that same philosophy to Thanksgiving.

Because while thousands of Americans will wake up early Thanksgiving morning to lace up their sneakers and run a Turkey Trot, The Pathfinder believes another beloved Thanksgiving walk deserves a little recognition too.

THE PATHFINDER COUSIN WALK // EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: A communal pre-Thanksgiving Cousin Walk presented by The Pathfinder.

WHEN: Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 2 p.m.

WHERE TO MEET: Outside of Romeo’s NYC (118 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009). Receive your shirt (if you are among the first 100 to arrive) and take a Pathfinder canned Spritz for the road.

THE WALK: Take the walk. One lap around the park. Nobody is timing you. (Tompkins Square Park: Avenue A, & E 8th St, New York, NY 10009)

WHO: Cousins, chosen cousins and cousin-adjacent New Yorkers. Must be 21+.

WHAT YOU GET: The first 100 registered participants can receive an official Cousin Walk T-shirt at check-in. Finishers of the walk can get a Pathfinder stash can, AKA finisher's medal, after completing the walk.

WHAT TO BRING: BYOW — Bring Your Own W**d. Stop by Bellanova (331 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003) for special discounts: 3 pre-rolls for $20.

THE AFTERPARTY: Romeo’s NYC (118 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009) Once inside Romeo’s, flash your registration and settle in for complimentary light bites and post-trot tipples (including one Pathfinder cocktail per registrant), with additional libations and bites available pay-as-you go. 

COST: Free to attend. 

The Pathfinder – which debuted in the counter-cultural epicenter of Seattle – launched their flagship zero-proof spirit, Hemp and Root in the fall of 2021 which became the first in a line of unprecedented disruptors to the non-alcoholic and alcoholic sectors. The non-alcoholic spirit is made with fermented and distilled hemp which is then blended with botanicals to pair perfectly with any cocktail. The Pathfinder then followed up with their ready-to-drink Negroni, Spritz, and Espresso Tonic.