Thanksgiving Themed Runs in the Bay Area 2013

It's officially the holiday season as far as Im concerned. Halloween is the kick off and New Years is the wrap up. Food is always an issue this time of year. It seems like the best desserts are served and the most delicious dinner parties happen this time of year and it is hard to be health conscious about it all. Thank goodness for the holiday races. If you, like me, are looking to offset the Thanksgiving Day (weekend) feastapalooza or if you want to support the less fortunate and give back to the Bay Area Community sign up for (or volunteer at) one of these turkey themed events!


Los Gatos Saratoga Observation Nursery School - 5K Turkey Trot - Nov 2nd- Almaden Lake Park, San Jose- The Turkey Trot is a Family Fun Run through the scenic Almaden Lake Park in San Jose, CA. New this year, we have 2 course options. You can take a 1 mile loop, then continue on for a second mile, or finish up and enjoy the entertainment. Participants of all ages, small kids on bikes & scooters or in wagons & strollers welcome!

Napa Valley Turkey Trot- Nov 23rd- Napa Valley College- 5k, 1 mi- Sponsored by Kaiser and benefiting the Salvation Army.

Santa Cruz Turkey Trot- Nov 23rd- UCSC Extension- 10k, 5k, 1k- Flat and fast out and back courses that begin & end on Delaware Street by the back entrance to Natural Bridges. A run with ocean views!

Turkey Trail Trot XI- Nov 28th- Polo Field , San Francisco- 5 mi, 3 mi, 100 meter- Come kick off a great Thanksgiving with an invigorating fun run or walk in the park--before the parades, football games, and feasting commence!

Zoom Turkey Trot- Nov 28th- Hellyer County Park- 5k, 10k, Half Marathon- Run along the popular Coyote Creek trail Thanksgiving morning!

Brazen Nitro Turkey Trot- Nov 28th- Point Pinole Regional Park- There will be a 5K and 10K, as well as the Little Turkeys Race: a run for the kids (roughly 100 yards) against the Nitro Turkey. Children (10 and under) attending with 5K/10K runners will receive free entry into Little Turkeys and receive special medals and a goodie bag.

Spartan Turkey Trot- Nov 28th- Mt View High School- 5k, 1 mi, Kids Race- The Spartan Turkey Trot is a fundraising run to benefit Mountain View High School athletics. This fun event is on a flat course run by competitive and recreational runners and walked and run by entire families. Bring the kids for the Kids' Run (60/400yds)


12th Annual Marin Turkey Trot- Nov 28th- Indian Valley College- 1 mi, 5k, 10k- The Youth Gobbler 1 Mile and Turkey Trot 5K are run cross country style on the trails of Marin’s Open Space. The new and improved Pilgrim 10K is an out and back through the beautiful IVC campus and along Ignacio Blvd. So register early, this race really fills up, and your apple cider will taste especially yummy as you drink it from your finishers mug. Also, bring a food item race day for donation to the Marin Food Bank!


New San Fran 26.2 Sticker & T Shirt Design

Piedmont Turkey Trot- Nov 28th- Piedmont High School- Join your family, friends, and neighbors in a beautiful 3 mile run, jog or walk through the scenic (and somewhat hilly) streets of Piedmont. The Piedmont Turkey Trot starts and finishes in front of Piedmont High School, with a road course closed to traffic.

Solano Turkey Trot-  Nov 28th- Solano Community College, Fairfield- 10k, 5k, Fun Run- The Solano Turkey Trot is sponsored by Solano Hearts United, a collaboration of four non-profit organizations who have joined together to raise awareness and support for children, adults and seniors in Solano County.

Forma Gym Walnut Creek Turkey Trot - Nov 28th- Civic Park-  Join us on Thursday, November 22nd for the 20th Annual Forma Gym Walnut Creek Turkey Trot. Your Thanksgiving morning will be filled with enthusiasm and fitness while helping raise much-needed funds for Walnut Creek schools and the Food Bank of Contra Costa County.

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot- Nov 28th- San Jose- Kid’s Fun Run, 5K Run/Walk,10K Run & 10K, Wheelchair, Elite Invitational 5K, PA/USATF Open Men’s & Open Women’s 5K Championship. Lots to choose from and all for a good cause!

Almaden Valley’s Run, Turkey, Run!- Nov 28th- San Jose- 5K, 10K, & Shoe Drive- Almaden Valley’s Run, Turkey, Run! began in 2008 as a local neighborhood run, put on by Scott and his wife, Colleen, and a neighbor and running partner, David Ralston. With the departure of the annual “Pat’s Run”, and now the “Almaden Times Classic”, “Run, Turkey, Run!” is the only truly local non-trail run left in Almaden.

Quarry Turkey- Nov 30th- Quarry Lakes- Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, Little Turkeys Race- The rarely seen Quarry Turkey will make his appearance two days after the big feast, fueled-up and ready to take on all the little turkeys! Come start a new Thanksgiving weekend tradition with a fast, mostly-flat half marathon, 10K or 5K!