For an area rich in running resources, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area has an abundance of Thanksgiving Day and Thanksgiving-themed races. What better way to enjoy feasting later in the day than to start the day with a run with thousands of like-minded people?

Thanksgiving Day races really bring out the crowds! Whole families participate, often with the family dog on a leash. While most events are of the shorter road race distances, most also offer a shorter distance fun run/walk for the non-runners in the family or the younger set.

Look over the list below, choose your race, lace up your running shoes, and work off those calories!

And if you're traveling this Thanksgiving, you are sure to find a Turkey Trot race somewhere near. Remember to check the Washington Running Report calendar before you leave. We're linked nationally with the Running Network, so use the searchable features to find a race near you.

Thanksgiving Day Races

Race                                 Location	      Start Time   Contact


Virginia Run Turkey Trot 5K & 2K    Centreville, VA    8:00 am   (703) 815-2937
Fun Run/Walk


Ashburn Farm Thanksgiving Day       Ashburn, VA         8:30 am    (703) 729-5100
10K, 5K & 2 Mile Fun Run


Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger    Washington, DC      9:00 am    (202) 797-8806 x1011


Bethesda Turkey Chase 10K & 2 Mile  Bethesda, MD        8:30 am    (301) 530 8500


Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler      Alexandria, VA      10:00 am   (703) 241-0395


Potter Homes YMCA Turkey Trot 5K    Fredericksburg, VA  9:00 am    (540) 371-0588


Towson YMCA Turkey Trot 5K &        Towson, MD	        9:00 am    (410) 377-8882
2K Walk/Fun Run


Turkey Trot 10K                     Richmond, VA        9:00 am    (804) 438-6391


Turkey Trot 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run     Bowie, MD           9:00 am    (301) 459-3800




Not to mention Turkey Trot races in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Millersville, Honeybrook, 
and York in Pennsylvania; Westernport, Bel Air, Chestertown, and Edgewater in Maryland; 
Newport News (Toys for Tots), Virginia Beach, and Irvington, Virginia; and Wilmington,
Delaware.


And if that's not enough, don't forget the MCRRC Turkey Burn-Off 8K and 1 Mile Fun Run
in Gaithersburg on Saturday, November 30!


Information on these and more races can be found in the 
Washington Running Report calendar.
Most races have e-mail contacts and/or Web site links.

Photo Above: Finishers stream into the finish at the 2001 Virginia Run Turkey Trot 5K in Centreville, VA.