The Best Turkey Trots to Run This Thanksgiving

Northeast

Connecticut

Run Turkey Run
November 28, 2019 in Hamden, Connecticut

What Makes It Special: No street crossings or motor traffic make this the ideal Thanksgiving race for the whole family. The course utilizes the Farmington Canal Trail and is mostly flat with a few rolling hills.

Lenny & Joe's Madison Turkey Trot
November 28, 2019 in Madison, Connecticut

What Makes It Special: In its 41st year, this race offers multiple race distances, each with stunning views of Long Island Sound and Madison's shoreline neighborhoods. Plus, long sleeve tees are guaranteed to the first 2,500 pre-registered participants.

Maryland

Columbia Turkey Chase 10K
November 24, 2019 in Columbia, Maryland

What Makes It Special: Join fellow turkey lovers, runners and friends for an appetite-inducing morning of good-natured competition. Presented by Rip It Events, the seventh Annual Columbia Turkey Chase is a 10K run, two-person relay and kid's fun run. The scenic course in the heart of Columbia provides experienced and beginning runners alike a slightly rolling but fast course—perfect prep for those Thanksgiving Day calories.

Turkey Chase Charity Race
November 28, 2019 in Edgewater, Maryland

What Makes It Special: The Turkey Chase is this local YMCA's largest fundraiser each year. The race includes a 10K and 5K race through the Y's beautiful property, and all proceeds help send deserving children and young adults to overnight and day camp programs at Camp Letts.

Massachusetts

Feaster Five
November 28, 2019 in Andover, Massachusetts

What Makes It Special: Now in its 32nd year, this race attracts huge numbers of participants—in fact, registration includes a long-sleeve technical tee and is capped at the first 9,000 runners. Sounds like a pretty good reason to sign up now, we think!

Family Gratitude 5K Turkey Trot & Kids 1/2 Mile Run
November 28, 2019 in Dedham, Massachusetts

What Makes It Special: The first 500 pre-registered runners will receive a race T-shirt. Proceeds from the race benefit the Dedham Food Pantry and local Ripples of Hope community-based service initiatives. Bags of non-perishable food will be sorted on race day.

Maudslay Turkey Trot
November 28, 2019 in Newburyport, Massachusetts

What Makes It Special: Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a traffic-free run through one of the state's most scenic and picturesque state parts. Plus, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, bring a can of food to help stock local food pantries.

New York

NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon & 5K
November 16, 2019 in Queens, New York

What Makes It Special: Before "stuffing yourself silly," head over to Flushing Meadows park to enjoy the fall leaves, crisp temps and great views at your choice of either the 5K or 10K course. Afterwards, stick around for a classic New York bagel and schmear, then explore the surrounding area before heading home to spend time with family and friends.

Massapequa Park Turkey Trot
November 23, 2019 in Massapequa Park, New York

What Makes It Special: The first half of this course is raced on closed roads, and the second half runs along a bike path ending at Brady Park. Participants help raise funds for a local counseling center to continue the fight to increase awareness, prevent and treat drug use and promote healthy families.

Coney Island Sports Foundation 5K Turkey Trot
November 24, 2019 in Brooklyn, New York

What Makes It Special: Two words: Coney. Island. This race begins at Riegelmann Boardwalk (adjacent to Parachute Jump). Each registrant receives a hooded sweatshirt, and finishers will be awarded with a medal.

NYCRUNS New York City Turkey Trot
November 28, 2019 in New York City

What Makes It Special: "Finally Manhattan gets a Thanksgiving Day turkey trot!" If you need more reason than that, register for a fun run around Manhattan's West Side, getting a chance to dig on the NYC skyline before you dig into your turkey. Plus, the fast and flat course gives stunning views of the Manhattan waterfront, and additional perks include bag check, bagels and spreads and T-shirts.

Garden City Turkey Trot
November 28, 2019 in Garden City, New York

What Makes It Special: Garden City's annual Turkey Trot is actually three road races in one: a Challenger Division Race for special needs athletes, a 1.4-mile fun run and a 5-mile race. All three races start and finish in front of the historic St. Paul's School on Stewart Avenue in Garden City, NY. Race proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and The INN. And this year, there will be free photos to capture your holiday moment!

Adirondack Health Turkey Trot 5K
November 28, 2019 in Lake Placid, New York

What Makes It Special: Starting at the Olympic speedskating oval and running along Mirror Lake, take in the sites of beautiful Lake Placid while going for a Thanksgiving run with friends and family. Proceeds benefit the local school food pantries and Adirondack Health's Fit for Life Program.

Canandaigua Turkey Trot
November 28, 2019 in Canandaigua, New York

What Makes It Special: Proceeds benefit the Friends of Ontario ARC Foundation and Ontario ARC's programs for children and adults with disabilities and other challenges in Ontario County. Pre-registration only $15 and the event is an un-timed, family-friendly race.

Pennsylvania

PNC YMCA Turkey Trot presented by UnitedHealthcare
November 28, 2019 in Pittsburgh

What Makes It Special: In its 29th year, this is a huge race with a variety of distances for participants to choose from. Medals are awarded to the first, second and third finishers in the 5K and 5-mile for both men and women.

Rhode Island

Townie Turkey Trot
November 23, 2019 in East Providence, Rhode Island

What Makes It Special: In its 38th year, start Thanksgiving week off right, running 3.1 miles on the mostly flat course. All online registrants receive a T-shirt and top finishers are awarded medals and trophies.

Trot Off Your Turkey 5K Run/Walk & 1.5-Mile Run/Walk
November 30, 2019 in Barrington, Rhode Island

What Makes It Special: Chip-timed, cash prizes, T-shirts to the first 800 registrants and a fast and flat course make this the ideal race for you this Thanksgiving. Grab your friends and family, find your best turkey costume and head out to Barrington to burn off your Thursday feast.

5K Turkey Trot
November 30, 2019 in Block Island, Rhode Island

What Makes It Special: Enjoy Block Island while working off those Thanksgiving calories with friends and family at this noon-start race. Proceeds benefit a charity in need on the island.

READ THIS NEXT: 6 Reasons to Run a Family Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving

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