Run a Turkey Trot

What is a Turkey Trot? It’s a fun run or walk on Thanksgiving morning, and it’s mostly an American tradition. Many of them raise money for charity. Lots of people do it, plenty walk it, and some wear costumes. It takes half a day including the parking, the pre-race chat and the coffee after. Here’s how it works and how to do it comfortably if you’re new.

Find a race

Search for “Turkey Trot” plus your town or nearest city. Many cities and towns have one, run by a charity, a school, a running club or a local business. Check:

• The distance. A 5K, which is about 3.1 miles, is common, and many races also have a shorter fun run.
• The start time, which is often early on Thanksgiving morning.
• The route and the parking.
• The sign-up deadline and the cost. Entry is often moderate, and some races give the money to charity.
• Whether walkers are welcome, which they usually are.

Sign up ahead of time. Some races fill up, and some charge more nearer the day.

Train a little

You don’t have to be a runner. If you can walk for half an hour, you can finish a 5K. If you want to run some or all of it, give yourself a few weeks:

1. Start with three short sessions a week, on days that suit you.
2. Alternate running and walking, such as a minute of each, for about 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Each week, run a little more and walk a little less.
4. Rest between sessions, and don’t increase too fast.
5. Do one longer outing about a week before the race.

Start slowly, since that’s what makes the next session possible. If you have a health condition or any worries, talk to a doctor first. If something hurts, stop.

What to wear

Thanksgiving morning can be cold, but you’ll warm up quickly once you move.

• Layers you can take off, as the list says. A long-sleeve top plus a light jacket or vest you can tie round your waist.
• A hat and thin gloves, which you can tuck into a pocket.
• Comfortable running shoes that you’ve already worn. Don’t wear new ones for the first time on race day.
• Socks that don’t rub. Cotton can hold moisture, so a synthetic or wool pair is more comfortable.
• An old sweatshirt for the start line, to throw off or leave behind. Some races collect these for charity.
• A costume, if you want. Just make sure you can see, breathe and move.

If it’s raining, a light waterproof layer helps. If it’s icy, take smaller steps and slow down.

The night before and the morning of

• Lay out your clothes, your bib (the race number) and your shoes.
• Eat a normal dinner, and get a good night’s sleep.
• In the morning, have something light you’ve eaten before, like toast or a banana. Don’t try new foods.
• Drink some water, but not too much.
• Arrive early to park, collect your bib if you need to, and find the toilets.
• Pin your bib to the front of your top, with all four corners secure.

During the race

1. Line up at the back or the middle if you’re walking or jogging slowly, and let faster runners go in front.
2. Start slower than you think you need to. The crowd will tempt you to go faster.
3. Drink at water stops if there are any.
4. Walk when you need to. There’s no rule against it.
5. Watch for other people, kids and dogs, and keep to the side if you stop.
6. Enjoy the people and the costumes.

You can bring a friend, a partner or a relative. Many people do it as a group, and a family trot is common.

After

Keep moving for a few minutes, put on a dry layer and have something to drink and eat. Many races have a banana, bagel or hot drink at the end. Then go home to Thanksgiving dinner with the pleasant feeling of already having done something good with the day. If you’re bringing a dish, plan to cook it the day before so the morning is yours.

If something goes wrong

• You get a stitch. Slow to a walk and breathe deeply until it eases.
• You’re too cold at the start. Keep the extra layer on until the first mile.
• You’re too hot. Take off layers and tie them round your waist.
• Your shoe rubs. Stop and fix it. A small blister gets worse if you ignore it.

Make it a fall morning

Get your layers ready, meet your friends and walk or jog the route together. For a quieter way to spend a fall morning outdoors, try a foliage hike another weekend.