Published November 21, 2017 03:45PM
Hot To Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to throw on your running shoes with friends and family while celebrating the spirit of the day!
If running before feasting on the season’s finest meal is wrong, then we don’t want to be right. And neither do the more than 900,000 other runners who join in the racing fun on Thanksgiving Day. Besides burning off extra energy and refueling with turkey and pumpkin pie galore, running a Turkey Trot embodies the holiday’s true spirit of gathering friends and family to spend time together. Check out these festive events, known as some of America’s most iconic T-Day races!
Buffalo YMCA Turkey Trot
Buffalo, N.Y.
Known as the oldest consecutively run footrace in the world, the Buffalo YMCA Turkey Trot hasn’t missed a year since 1896. Proceeds from the 8K event go toward making the community’s YMCA services available to children and families who can’t afford them. Limited to 14,000 runners, you don’t want to miss the country’s most historic race!
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Charlotte Southpark Turkey Trot
Charlotte, N.C.
If soaking in the season’s foliage is high on your list of race-day fun, the Charlotte Southpark Turkey Trot is sure to please. Join 11,000 runners for the 8K, 5K, 1-mile and 26.2-yard Tot Trot at the 29th edition of one of North Carolina’s largest events. Enjoy a morning outdoors with just-right temperatures and autumn’s finest hues on display before gathering around the table for a T-day meal.
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
Silicon Valley, Calif.
Silicon Valley isn’t just for techy start-ups; it’s also home to one of America’s largest Thanksgiving Day races. The Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot boasts more than 19,000 runners annually while raising more than $6.9 million for charitable programs since its inception. With a 5K, 10K and kids’ fun run, there’s sure to be a distance for everyone in the fam!
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Mile High United Way Turkey Trot
Denver, Colo.
With 43 years under its belt, the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot in Denver offers a tried-and-true Thanksgiving Day race experience. Complete with lung-challenging altitude, tree-lined vistas and a post-race beer garden, nearly 10,000 runners enjoy each other’s company while kicking off the day’s events.
Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot
Detroit, Mich.
Declared the “Parade before the Parade,” the Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot in Detroit kicks off the city’s annual T-Day parade. With nearly 20,000 participants storming the streets, the distances are named after the day’s traditional fare, including the 10K Turkey Trot, the 5K Stuffing Strut and the Mashed Potato Mile. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, go for one of the combos with either the Drumstick Duo (10K and 5K) or the Cranberry Combo (1-mile and 5K).
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Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
Dallas, Texas
Ever wondered where the world’s largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys was held? Search no further than the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot. Earning the Guinness World Record with 661 people dressed as the day’s iconic bird in 2011, this year’s race marks the 50th anniversary of the event. Run (or wobble) your way to the finish line of either the 5K or 8-mile race before gobbling down your Thanksgiving feast.
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