Beware, friends. We have officially entered the high holy season of overindulgence.
Some may argue it actually started a month ago, when the first pumpkin spice lattes made their appearance in Starbucks stores, and children came home with a Halloween haul of Reese's Pumpkins and candy corn.
But for many, it begins on Thanksgiving Day, when the average American consumes between 3,000 and 4,500 calories. Fun fact: To burn all that excess energy, the average runner would need to log between 8 and 12 miles. Yikes!
Luckily, there is at least one holiday tradition that your heart and waistline can feel good about -- the annual turkey trots that are held in hundreds of cities across the United States.
To warm up, a few Turkey Trot facts:
- Organizers of the Buffalo Turkey Trot claim that their race is not only the oldest Turkey Trot, but also the oldest continually running public footrace in North America. The event was first held in 1896.
- More running races are held on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, and about 870,000 people ran in a race in 2013, according to Running USA.
- Dallas claims the title of biggest Turkey Trot. This year, 35,000 are expected to cross the start line.
- Distances of Turkey Trots can vary from a 5K to full marathon, but most are on the shorter side of that spectrum.
- The city of Cuero, Texas, is known for hosting a Turkey Trot with actual turkeys. The tradition dates back to the early 1900s, when local farmers would herd their birds into town for sale in early November. At one point the spectacle involved 18,000 turkeys. The event continues today under the name “The Great Gobbler Gallop,” and only two birds are involved.
Thanksgiving Day
- Nitro Turkey Thanksgiving Run - Pinole.
5K, 10K
Prices: Regular registration is sold out. Entry with a food bank donation is still open and ranges from $79 to $89. - Piedmont Turkey Trot - Piedmont.
3 miles
Prices: 12 and under: $20; 13 and older: $30 - Forma Gym Turkey Trot - Walnut Creek.
5K, 10K, Kids Fun Runs
Prices: Kids Run: $15; 5K/10K for 17 and under: $36; 5K/10K for 18 and over: $41. Prices increase on race day. - Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot - San Jose.
5K, 10K, Kids Fun Runs, 10K Wheelchair, 5K Elite
Prices: All adult races: $47.74; Kids Fun Run: $13.78 - Almaden Valley's Run Turkey Run - San Jose.
5K, 10K
Prices: $25 - The Marin Turkey Trot - Novato.
1 miles, 5K, 10K, Gobble Wobble
Registration Closed. - Napa Valley Turkey Chase - Napa.
5K, 10K, Kids 100m Dash
Prices: 17 and under: $30, 18 and older: $35. Prices increase on race day. - San Francisco Turkey Trot - San Francisco.
3 miles, 5 miles, 100m dash
Race is sold out. - Solano Turkey Trot - Fairfield.
5K, 10K, Kids Fun Run
Prices: $45, but you must register in person on race day or at select locations. - Spartan Turkey Trot - Mountain View.
5K, Kids Run, 1 Mile
Prices: $20 - Thanksgiving Day 5K - San Francisco.
5K, Kids Dash
Registration closed. - Turkey Leg Relays - Petaluma.
Teams of 2. Each runner runs 2.1 miles
Prices: Students: $10; Adults: $15. Register on site.
Thanksgiving Weekend
- Run Wild San Francisco - San Francisco.
Sunday, Nov. 30
5K
Prices: All adults: $40; Ages 18 & under: $20. Prices increase on race day. - Quarry Turkey Thanksgiving Races - Fremont.
Saturday, Nov. 29
5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Kids Fun Run
Prices: 5K: $49; 10K: $54; Half Marathon: $70; Kids run is free if parent is running. - Quad Dipsea, Mill Valley.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Race is sold out. - Friends of San Francisco Champions 5k Run - San Francisco.
5K
Race is sold out.
Did we leave one off? Let us know in the comments!