10 Reasons to Run a Turkey Trot Over the Holiday Weekend

Mar. 16, 2025

Photo: Getty

marathon runners

Thanksgiving is the most popular running day of the year,according to Running USA. Last year more than 1.17 million people registered for a Turkey Trot around the Thanksgiving holiday. The tradition is believed to have started in 1896 in Buffalo, New York, withY.M.C.A. Buffalo Niagara’s Turkey Trot— today the 8K attracts more than 14,000 runners and calls itself the “oldest consecutively run footracein North America.”

While running a few miles won’t do much to offset the 2,000+ calories you’re likely to consume on Thanksgiving, there are plenty of other reasons to lace up your sneakers and get moving with family and friends.

Can’t get to a turkey trot IRL? Do it virtually on your own time and at your own pace with the help ofStravathroughNYRR’s Virtual Turkey Trot 5Kuntil December 1. Registerhere.

And if it’s just not going to happen — well, there’s always a Santa Run.

source: people.com