A good run is just what you’ll need right before you eat a Thanksgiving Day feast. All over the country this month, different organizations are hosting Turkey Runs. A turkey run (also known as a turkey trot) is an organized race that celebrates the spirit of Thanksgiving. These races are both competitive and family friendly. Some runners even opt to dress up or paint their faces like turkeys. Participants can run, jog, walk or “trot”. Also, these runs usually ask that participants give food items to be donated to local community groups that give out food to families in need. This fall, running races has become more popular than ever. Even the New York City marathon was bigger than ever before with over 50,000 participants. If you want to get in on the fall running trend, a turkey run is a great place to start. Here are some turkey runs that will be happening this weekend for you, your family and friends to enjoy.
1) 27th Annual Delray Beach Turkey Trot 2013 (Delray Beach, Florida)
Date: November 23, 2013
Location: Anchor Park 340 South Ocean Blvd Delray Beach, Florida 33483
Start Time: 7:30 a.m.
This walk/run takes place along one of the most scenic and historical highways in the state of Florida. Participants will be running along the Atlantic Ocean on the iconic Florida State Road A1A. Children as young as 8 years old can participate in the run. All runners/walkers need to bring either two cans of food or a perishable food donation. Registration fees are free to $10 for children (depending on their age) and $25 for everyone 15 and older.
2) Gobble Hobble 2013 (Richardson, Texas)
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2013
Location: Galatyn Park 2351 Performance Dr. Richardson, Texas 75082
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
The Gobble Hobble is a full day of fun activities including a “Gobble Wobble” warm-up with the mayor, a special kids’ zone, and an awards ceremony. This turkey run is broken into two sections: a 5K and a run/walk. The run/walk starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. There are many sponsors for this event including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Fujitsu. All of the proceeds will go to The Counseling Place. Registration cost $20 for children and $30 for adults.
3) Twilight Turkey Trot 2013 (St. Louis, Missouri)
Date: Saturday November 23, 2013
Location: Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63130
Start Time: 4:30 p.m.
This turkey trot is being sponsored in order to encourage community physical fitness. All the proceeds will go to local efforts to help increase physical fitness and to help start a new local charity for nurses. Running, walking, and waddling are all allowed at this first annual turkey trot. To register click here, for participants ages 6 to 12 it’s $25 and for everyone older than 13 it’s $30.
4) Massapequa Park Turkey Trot 2013 (Massapequa, New York)
Date: Saturday November 23, 2013
Location: Brady Park 1001 Lakeshore Blvd Massapequa Park, New York 11762
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
The Massapequa Park turkey trot will be taking place in Brady Park and is broken down into two different races. The first race is the youth fun run and it starts at 8:30 a.m. At 9:00 a.m. the 5K run/walk will begin. The proceeds of this race will benefit the YES Community Counseling Center that spreads awareness about drugs, provides drug treatment and help those in need in the community. They will also be accepting food donations at the race. The youth fun run cost $15 and adult registration cost $25 if you register before race day.
5) 2013 Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot (Severna Park, Maryland)
Date: Saturday November 23, 2013
Location: Kinder Park 1001 Kinder Farm Park Road Severna Park , Maryland 21146
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
We all have a lot to be thankful for and this run helps participants give back to their communities. SPAN is an organization that helps families in crisis. Providing families in need with financial support for prescription medications, utility shut offs, and relocation after court ordered evictions are just some of the services this organization provides. They help people not only in Severna Park but in the eight surrounding towns. To participate in this trot the registration fee is $20 for the walk and $35 for the 5K.
Will you be participating in a Turkey Trot?
Featured photo credit: clarkmaxwell via photopin cc