Thanksgiving morning is often a blur of last-minute meal prep and frenzied chores. But for an increasing number of grateful celebrants, the day begins not with turkey basting but with a road race.
Beth Thomas usually hosts her family for Thanksgiving. But she prepares nearly everything ahead of time. On the holiday morning, she laces up her sneakers. She runs a 5K Turkey Trot with her two sons.
“Why not start the day doing something that we really love and then eat a lot of good food later?” says Thomas.
Turkey Trots—aka Gobble Wobbles, Drumstick Dashes, or Huffing for Stuffings—have become an enduring tradition for many people. Most races happen on Thanksgiving Day, but some take place the weekend before or after.
Whatever name they go by, Thanksgiving races can range from a mile to a full marathon. Some people trot for fitness, others for family and community, and many raise money for charities.
Run Signup is a platform that allows runners to register and fundraise for races. Employees there call Thanksgiving “the biggest U.S. running day of the year.” According to them, 2023 saw the highest number of turkey trotters ever registered on the site—with almost one million runners across the country!
Thanksgiving exercise events are by no means a novel idea. Just ask the 14,000 participants in the upcoming Turkey Trot in Buffalo, New York, which will be the local YMCA’s 129th annual race.
Mike Baggerman, communications director at the YMCA Buffalo Niagara, says Buffalo’s race is a hallmark for the community. It’s one year older than the Boston Marathon!
He says some runners show up for the 8K race with a competitive spirit and achieve record-setting times. But the overwhelming majority are “people like you and me who just want to have something fun to do on Thanksgiving Day.”
Prioritizing exercise and movement during a week when many have long to-do lists and multiple stressors is often difficult, says dietician and fitness instructor Casey Young. Thanksgiving races can not only help people reach their physical activity goals but also help steady moods and reduce stress.
Many turkey trotters lean into the holiday’s spirit of thankfulness and giving back.
Some races serve as fundraisers for local organizations. Registration fees and donations often benefit causes like food banks, homeless shelters, and community programs.
Baggerman says the Buffalo Niagara YMCA’s turkey trot is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. Funds support affordable childcare, community classes, health and wellness programs, and efforts to fight food insecurity.
“It’s more than just a fun five-mile run on Thanksgiving Day,” he says. “It’s something that helps the YMCA achieve its mission, which is to strengthen the western New York community.”
If you plan to run a Turkey Trot this year, add the ability to participate to the very long list of things you have to be thankful for! And send us a photo of you at the start or finish. We’d love to cheer you on! Send email to WORLDteeneditor@gwnews.com.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. — James 1:17
