It is estimated that the average American consumes over 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day, with approximately 3,000 – 3,500 of those calories derived from the big, traditional Thanksgiving meal itself. While those numbers may seem unbelievable, the food coma experienced every year after binge-eating massive amounts of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing (drenched in homemade turkey gravy, of course!) serves as undeniable proof. And let’s not forget the obligatory snacking that also occurs throughout the day.

This Thanksgiving, consider taking a preemptive strike against all of those calories by participating in a long-distance run before the big feast. By participating in one of the Twin Cities scheduled Thanksgiving runs, not only will you be helping yourself (by burning calories), you will be contributing to charity. So if you want to look and feel good this Thanksgiving, consider taking part in one of these Thanksgiving runs!

Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5K

Distance: 5K
Starts at: 8:00 am, Thanksgiving morning (11/24)
Start location: Near the Life Time Fitness Target Center, downtown Minneapolis
The course: Check out this Course Map
Charity: Second Harvest Heartland
Registration: Adult – $30; Adult (LTF Member) – $20; Youth 5k (17 & under) – $20
Race Day Registration: Adult – $40; Youth 5k (17 & under) – $25
Runners, joggers, and walkers welcome!
Races for kids are also scheduled; check out the Turkey Day 5K – Minneapolis web page for more information.

Gobble Gait

Distance: 2K and 8K
Starts at: 8K run begins at 8:30 am, 2K run begins immediately after, Thanksgiving morning (11/24)
Start location: Sibley and 2nd Street, downtown Hastings
The course: Check out the Course Map
Charity: Hastings Family Service
Registration: 8K – $30; 2K – $10; 2K Family Teams – $25 (pre-event registration closes November 22nd)
Runners, joggers, and walkers welcome!
For more information on Family Team registration and the pre-race Pasta Party check out the Gobble Gait web page.

Walk to End Hunger 5K

Distance: 5K (equivalent to 6 laps on the 1st floor of the Mall of America)
Starts at: 7:30 am, Thanksgiving morning (11/24)
Start location: East Entrance, Mall of America
The course: Participants will walk laps around the 1st floor of the Mall of America
Charity: Presented by Twin Cities Hunger Initiative, working in collaboration with multiple charities. For a full listing of charities, visit this web page.
Registration: Adult – $25; Youth (17 & under) – Free
Walkers welcome! Walk as little or as much as you would like!
To learn more about the Phone-A-Thon and Food Drive that will accompany the run, visit the Walk to End Hunger web page for more information.