14 Boston-Area Turkey Trots Taking Place This Year

Turkey trot photo by clarkmaxwell on Flickr/Creative Commons

Let’s be honest: Even the most dedicated health junkie is fighting a losing battle when it comes to Thanksgiving portion control. Make yourself feel a bit less guilty about stuffing yourself silly by signing up for one of these 14 Boston turkey trots.

1. Family 5K Pre-Turkey Trot

Hosted by Trustees of the Reservation, this run/walk along the Neponset Greenway is open to participants of all ages. The race asks for a canned good, root vegetable, or squash donation in lieu of a registration fee.

Free. November 21, 10:30 a.m. Pope John Paul II Park, Boston. Find out more at thetrustees.org.

2. Essex Turkey Trot and Fun Walk

Pre-game your Thanksgiving with this 8K race on the North Shore. Runners and walkers are both welcome.

$20 for runners, $15 for walkers. November 22, 1 p.m. 121 Main St., Essex. Register at essexmalions.com.

3. Turkeys Against Cancer 5K & Fun Run

Held the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this race has a 5K and a 1-mile fun run for kids. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life.

$30. November 22, 9:30 a.m. 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton. Register at racewire.com.

4. Alternative House Thanks-4-Giving Road Race & Walk

This race is sponsored by Alternative House, a shelter and resource for domestic abuse survivors, and all proceeds from registration fees fund the shelter’s services. Bonus: All finishers receive a pie.

$20 for 5K, $25 for 10K. November 26, 8 a.m. 40 Old Ferry Road, Lowell. Register at lightboxreg.com.

5. BFX Extreme Workout

Though not technically a turkey trot, you can still offset your meal at BFX‘s 75-minute workout incorporating interval training, strength training, and plyometrics.

$32. November 26, 9:30 a.m. 699 Boylston St., Boston. Register at bfxstudio.com.

6. Boston Volvo Village Thanksgiving Day 5K Run for MS

Get a pre-feast workout while contributing to MS fundraising at this run, which starts bright and early on Thanksgiving Day.

$20 online or $25 day-of. November 26, 7:30 a.m. 75 North Beacon St., Brighton. Register at nationalmssociety.org.

7. Braintree Thanksgiving Day 5K Race/Walk

In addition to the run, the race’s organizers are accepting canned good donations. Bringing five or more qualifies runners for entry into a Roche Brothers gift card raffle.

$22. November 26, 8 a.m. 128 Town St., Braintree. Register at runsignup.com.

8. Dreamcatcher Classic

This race offers both a two- and five-mile course. Proceeds benefit the Julie Rodick Scholarship Foundation, established in memory of a South Shore resident who died in a car accident.

$25 in advance, $30 day-of. November 26, 8 a.m. 25 Columbian St., South Weymouth. Register at spitlerracesystems.com.

9. Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race

Choose between a 5K and a 5-miler at this 28-year-old race, which is open to the whole family.

$40. November 26, 8:30 a.m. Main Street at Route 133 and Route 28, Andover. Register at feasterfive.com.

10. Franklin Park 5K Turkey Trot

Start your holiday with this scenic 5K run through Franklin Park. If you’re feeling extra festive, dress up—there’s a prize for best costume.

$25. November 26, 9 a.m. Franklin Park, Dorchester. Register at franklinparkcoalition.org.

11. Marathon Sports Gobble Gobble Gobble

Hosted by Somerville Roadrunners and Marathon Sports, this four-mile race is consistently selected as one of New England Runner‘s Top 100 New England Races.

$29. November 26, 9 a.m. 40 Holland St., Somerville. Register at srr.org.

12. Marathon Sports Hingham Turkey Trot

Marathon Sports also puts on this race, a 5K that benefits Hingham’s Boys & Girls Club and Hingham High School’s cross country team.

$25. November 26, 7:30 a.m. 17 Union St., Hingham. Register at racewire.com.

13. The Fund for Wellesley Turkey Trot

This turkey trot benefits three local charities: The Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project, Wellesley Education Foundation, and the Wellesley Field Fund.

$35 until November 11, then $40. November 26, 8 a.m. 181 Linden St., Wellesley. Register at racewire.com.

14. West Newbury Wild Turkey Trot

Now in its 26th year, this 5K takes participants on a cross country journey around picturesque Pipestave Hill.

$25. November 26, 8:30 a.m. 691 Main St., West Newbury. Register at lightboxreg.com.

15. Wild Turkey 5-Mile Run

This five-miler has been voted Best Holiday Race by the North Shore Race Guide for the past three years.

$24. November 26, 8 a.m. 94 Washington Square, Salem. Register at racewire.com.

Did we miss any races? Let us know in the comments.