Thanksgiving Mornings are often a blur of last-minute meal prep and frantic chores. But for Beth Thomas, who usually hosts her family at her Boston-area home, most of the work in the kitchen is already done.

Instead, she puts on her sneakers and warms up for a 5K run at the Turkey Trot with her two sons.

“It’s just a fun thing for us, knowing that probably seven hours later, everyone’s going to be passed out on the couch after some appropriate abuse. It’s a highlight for us to be there,” Thomas said. “Why not start the day doing something we really enjoy and then eat lots of good food later?” »

Turkey trots have become an enduring tradition for many people on and around Thanksgiving. There are thousands of runs, ranging from about 1 mile to a full marathon.

Execute registrationa platform where runners can register and raise money for races, considers Thanksgiving “the biggest U.S. running day of the year.” More and more people are joining, he says; The year 2023 saw the largest number of turkey feet ever recorded on the site, with almost a million runners across the country.

Some do for fitnessothers for family and community, and many also raise money for charity. The races attract both novices and experienced runners.

There are also Turkey Trots that go by other names: Gobble Wobbles, Drumstick Dashes and Huffing for Stuffings. Although most races take place on Thanksgiving Day, some take place the weekend before or after.

Thomas and his sons have participated in Thanksgiving races for several years. Sometimes other relatives join them. Still others encourage them from the sidelines.

Part of the appeal is the community

Thanksgiving exercise events are by no means a new idea. Just ask the 14,000 participants in the upcoming Turkey Trot in Buffalo, New York, which will be the local YMCA’s 129th annual race.

Mike Baggerman, director of communications for YMCA Buffalo Niagaradeclared the Buffalo breed – officially a year older than the Boston Marathon – has become a trademark for the community.

While some runners show up to the 8K race with a competitive spirit and set record times, the vast majority are “people like you and me who just want to have something fun to do on Thanksgiving.” .

Children and people in wheelchairs frequently participate, Baggerman said.

“It’s one of the most memorable races,” he said. “It’s a fun ride.”

Another part is fitness and health

Many beginning runners train in the weeks and months leading up to Thanksgiving to compete in a Turkey Trot. Even for those who don’t run regularly, the shock of activity — perhaps a mix of walking and running – can feel good.

Prioritizing exercise and movement during a week when many have long to-do lists and multiple stressors is often difficult, said Casey Young, a Michigan-based dietitian and fitness instructor. . She says Thanksgiving shopping can not only help people reach their physical activity goals, but also stabilize their mood and reduce stress.

“The holidays tend to be a very stressful time for a lot of people, and sometimes people travel, which can add a little extra stress and take you out of your usual routine,” Young said. “So any time we get a chance to move our body, it’s a positive thing.”

Exercise can inspire people to be “more mindful and intentional” when preparing later, Young said, but she cautions against the mentality that the point of effort is to earn a decadent meal of Thanksgiving or burn it afterwards. This could promote an “unhealthy relationship with food.”

Turkey trotters should instead emphasize physical activity and its health benefits, she said.

And then there’s the fundraising race

Beyond the physical and mental benefits, many turkey feet rely on the spirit of gratitude and giving back on the holidays.

Some races are organized as fundraisers in partnership with local organizations. Participant registration fees and donations on their behalf often benefit causes such as food banks, homeless shelters and community programs.

Baggerman said the Buffalo Niagara YMCA Turkey Trot is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising money for affordable child care, community classes, health programs and well-being and efforts to combat food insecurity.

“It’s so much more than just a 5-mile fun run on Thanksgiving Day. “It’s something that helps the YMCA achieve its mission, which is to strengthen the Western New York community,” he said. “For the people of Buffalo to come together every year and sell out this race to 14,000 people is a miracle.”