California Turkey Trots, Runs, Dinners & Fun

Each year around the last week of November people from all over the United States (and California) take a day off to celebrate the heritage of a nation. How do they do it? By declaring Thanksgiving Day as a day paying homage to the founding of a nation and its rich bounty.

In its current translation of an event that was started by pilgrims, Thanksgiving is a day of watching football games, over-eating big meals and closing all the stores the day before Black Friday when everyone is supposed to go out and buy Christmas gifts. Not everyone wants to sit around the table eating turkey and getting fattened for the "kill" so an amazing and popular event has sprung out of the need for healthier living in what is traditionally considered a day of binge and overeating. Turkey Trots and Turkey Runs poke fun at the favored Thanksgiving meal as people take to the streets and paths to exercise. Here are some events we've found throughout the State!

Gotta Run?

ANAHEIM Plymouth Rock N Run   Thanksgiving Morning Turkey Trot 1k,5k,10k 

Yorba Regional Park, Anaheim Hills, CA Thursday, plymouthrocknrun.com

ARROYO GRANDE Turkey Trot Fun Run
arroyogrande.org

35TH ANNUAL TURKEY TROT FUN RUN The City of Arroyo Grande Lions Club are sponsoring the 35th Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run on Sunday, November 18, 2012. The race will be held at the Arroyo Grande High School track, 495 Valley Road. Registration will take place from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. with the first race beginning at 2 p.m. There is no charge for participation. Awards will be given for first, second, and third place. First place winner will receive a turkey; second place, a chicken; and third place, a Cornish game hen. There will also be great raffle prizes donated by local businesses. The distance for boys and girls will be the same in each division, although girls and boys will race separately. Divisions will be broken up as follows: kindergarten and younger 1/8 mile, first grade ¼ mile, second grade ¼ mile, third grade ½ mile, fourth grade ½ mile, fifth grade ¾ mile, sixth grade ¾ mile, and seventh and eighth grades 1 mile. For more information, please call the Arroyo Grande Recreation Services office at 473-5474.

BELMONT SHORE - Turkey Trot 5 & 10 K Run November 22, 2012, 7 - 10 a.m. approx.

Annual beach location running event on Thanksgiving Day. See justinrudd.com

BUELLTON - Turkey Trot at Sunny Fields Park, Friday, November 23, 2012, 10 a.m. There's no registration, no rules, just fun and a simple run. This post-Thanksgiving meal exercise event is designed for all ages and athletic abilities. cityofbuellton.com Turkey Trot for Charity $12 entry. 5K run. All participants receive a shirt and proceeds go to a local charity. Walk or run, all for fun and for a good cause. All ages welcome.

BURBANK Run for Your Life Turkey Trot November 22, 2012, 8 a.m.

2,500 people drawn from YMCA members, Burbank community and the Los Angeles county 5K/10K and running communities come to run…jog…walk…or push a stroller at the annual Burbank Community YMCA Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. New and improved 5K/10K double-loop course. Cash awards for top finishers Kiddie 1K Fun Run for children 7 & under Proceeds benefit the Burbank Community YMCA membership assistance program which makes the Y's programs available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. New course measured to USA Track & Field standards $250 cash award for top male and female finishers in 5K and 10K Commemorative awards for first three male and female finishers in each age group Ribbon, prize and short-sleeve t-shirt for all registered 1k. Pre-race expo Plenty of free parking steps from the start/finish line. burbankymca.org

CLAREMONT 5th Annual Claremont Sunrise Rotary Turkey Trot November 22, 2012

This run will start at the beautiful downtown depot in Claremont and then take you thru the Claremont Colleges and down the tree lined streets. Registration opens at 6 a.m. Claremont Metrolink Station First Street & Harvard Ave. Claremont, CA claremontsunriserotary.org

DANA POINT Turkey Trot 5 & 10K Race November 22, 2012

The Dana Point California Thanksgiving Day Run with more than 10,000 participants is one of America's most scenic coastal runs hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. Tour the beautiful beach, majestic cliffs and coves of Dana Point. Enjoy pounding surf, rugged cliffs, and cool ocean breezes as you sail through the Dana Point Marina, Doheny State Park and pass the Historic Tallship Pilgrim moored in Dana Point Harbor. From beginners to elite runners, this event is for everyone! Please consider Sponsoring a Marine, their spouse, or their child to run in the Turkey Trot or make an additional donation to pay for a Thanksgiving Dinner for a Marine and his family. Visit the DanaPoint5thMarines.com turkeytrot.com

FAIRFIELD - Solano Turkey Trot November 22, 2012, 8 a.m.

Location: Solano Community College Solano Hearts United hosts third annual Solano Turkey Trot 5k walk/run and 10k at Solano Community College. The main staging area for all race-day activities is at Solano Community College located at 4000 Suisun Valley Road in Fairfield, California. Other race-day activities include food booths, awards and other fun activities for the entire family. solanoturkeytrot.org

FOLSOM Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run November 22, 2012, 8:50 a.m.

Folsom Turkey Trot is limited to only 4,000 participants and will sell out, so register early. folsomturkeytrot.com
10K at 8:50 am
5K at 9:10 am
Rain or Shine!
Folsom Parkway Trails
(Corner of Blue Ravine and N. Parkway Dr.)
25025 Blue Ravine
Folsom, CA 95630

HAYWARD Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Swim November 22, 2012 Hayward Plunge (510) 881-6703 This event is a Thanksgiving morning lap swim special event with door prizes and lots of fun! Everyone works the body before the big Turkey dinner! This event has been a fundraising event for the Karen M. Gordon Scholarship Fund. Karen Gordon was an employee who died tragically in a car accident on her way to work at the Hayward Plunge Indoor Swim Center. Each year, two or more college scholarships are given out to qualified college student lifeguards in Northern California. Come and support this worthwhile cause!! haywardrec.org

HUNTINGTON BEACH Turkey Trot November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot - Causelife 5k/10k Turkey Trot is a flat oceanfront course. Funds raised from event help supply clean water in underdeveloped countries. causelife.org

LANCASTER YMCA 4th annual Turkey Trot November 22, 2012, 8 a.m.

Turkey Trot is the biggest race of the year in the Antelope Valley and is just plain fun. Everyone gets a t-shirt, bib # and swag bag. Race is timed but not chipped and medals are given to each age group. It's a great community event that attracts many out of towners visiting family. Antelope Valley Family YMCA, 43001 10th St West Lancaster, CA. $25/person. turkeytrot-5k/dashboard One of the most beautiful races in the Antelope Valley and held Thanksgiving day. Walk, run, jog or race! It's up to you. on line sign up! allplayers.com

LOMPOC - Turkey Trot November 18, 2012, 3 mile fun run. Come out and enjoy a great family experience at River Park. This event is geared for all ages and ability levels for people to experience a great 3-mile race. A T-Shirt will be included with your registration and prizes will be awarded for 1st & 2nd place in each category. cityoflompoc.com

OCEANSIDE - O'Side Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Morning, November 22, 2012, 7 a.m.

Oceanside Civic Center
330 N. Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA
osideturkeytrot.com

Last year's O'side Turkey Trot attracted a record crowd to what is becoming an Oceanside holiday tradition. Be a part of a race that has it all - scenic and fast courses, great costumes, local beneficiaries, and a festive, fun atmosphere.

PALM SPRINGS - Martha's Village Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk November 22, 2012

5K Fun Run to raise money to feed the hungry and homeless in the Coachella Valley. All participants receive a quality event t-shirt and complimentary continental breakfast. Ample free parking. Strollers, wheelchairs and pets are welcome. USA track and field certified course, chip timed event-race times and rankings posted immediately at the finish. All proceeds benefit Martha's Village & Kitchen and goes to feeding the hungry and homeless. marthasvillage.org

PUENTE HILLS Puente Hills Family YMCA 31st Annual Turkey Trot November 18, 2012, 6:30 a.m.

Puente Hills Mall Corner of Albatross Rd. and Almahurst St. City of Industry, CA Fees 1K race: $10/runner (12 yrs old & under), $20/runner (13+ yrs old ; 5K/10K race: $20/runner; group rate: $15/runner (10 runners or more), 1K/5K/10K race with something for everyone to enjoy! All proceeds from this race go towards providing youth scholarships for our sports and afterschool enrichment programs! Additional Information Registration begins at 6:30 am; youth 1K race begins at 7:30 am; 5K/10K race begins at 8:15 am T-Shirt to all participants Refreshments Medals for all runners ages 12 & under in 1k youth race Turkeys awarded to first-place runners in 5k/10k run Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in 5K/10K run Tom Blair Award given to the first place finisher in the 70+ age division. sgvymca.org

SAN DIEGO PureFitness United Run for the Hungry Sunday, November 22, 2012, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

10K Run - 7:10am 5K Run/Walk - 8:15am Thanksgiving Day Downtown San Diego, Broadway Circle This Thanksgiving... The race runs through the beautiful Gaslamp District and East Village and is the only downtown race in San Diego before sitting down for a feast. Proceeds benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, and Foodmobile, a program of Jewish Family Service. Tilted Kilt will be donating 22 $20 gift certificates as well as 4000 $3 off beer cards. Times: 10K at 7:10am 5K at 8:15am Westfield Horton Plaza Shopping Center 324 Horton Plaza Food Court Monday, November 19 from 10am to 7pm Westfield Horton Plaza Shopping Center 324 Horton Plaza Food Court EVENT DAY REGISTRATION: closes at 7:00am for 10K, 7:45am for 5K - plan to arrive early T-shirts can be secured prior to or following the event; you need your bib number to secure t-shirt. Pin the bib number to the front of you, do NOT remove the lower tear-off tag with your name, age, sex. unitedrunforthehungry.org

SAN DIEGO Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K November 22, 2012, 8:45 a.m.

Balboa Park fun run with proceeds to help the homeless in need. Address San Diego Museum of Man 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park San Diego, CA Pre-Registration, early t-shirt & early race bib distribution: Wednesday, November 21st 2012 2:00pm to 6:00pm Balboa Park's Spreckels Organ Pavilion Abundant parking Live music Free beer garden Complimentary continental breakfast Wheelchairs, pets, and strollers welcome! No rollerblades, scooters, bikes, or retractable pet leashes. register on active.com

SAN GABRIEL November 3, 2012, 7:15 a.m. Turkey Trot. 1K Youth, 5K Walk, 5K Run, 10K Run. Vincent Lugo Park. Check-in time begins at 7:15 a.m. for all walk and race participants. The Fun Walk will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the Youth Fun Run at 8:25, and the 5/10K Race at 8:40 a.m. The first three race finishers in each of the nine age categories will receive ribbons; 1st Place winners also receive a medal and gift card. The 5K Fun Walk is open to all ages. Computerized results will be posted following race. Other race highlights include post-race refreshments & raffle drawing for great prizes! sangabrielcity.com

SAN JOSE Silicon Valley Turkey Trot November 22, 2012 svturkeytrot.com

6:30 a.m. Race Day Packet Pick Up Opens (There will not be day of, on-site registration. Registration is only available online til 6am Thanksgiving morning, but capacity is 25,000, so registration may close early like it did last year.) 7 a.m. Costume Contest. 7:45 a.m. 10K Wheelchair; 7:50 a.m. 10K Run; 9 a.m. Kids activities begin in Family Fun Zone; 10 a.m. Elite Women; 10:30 a.m. Elite Men & PA/USATF Men; 10:30 a.m. Kid's Fun Run open to ages 2-9; 11:30 a.m. Elite Awards Ceremony; Noon Conclusion

SANTA MARIA 16th Annual Turkey Trot 5K and Kids' 1-Mile Fun Run Saturday, November 17, 2012, 8:30 a.m.

Races begin and end at Hagerman Sports Complex, 3300 Skyway Dr. 2.5 mile run for teens and adults. Shorter races available for grades 1-6. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. on race day First race gets underway at 9 a.m. Awards to all 1st and 2nd place finishers in each division The City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department invites runners of all skill levels to participate at the Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run taking place at the Hagerman Sports Complex. Runners ages 15 and up can test their endurance in the 5K race, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Boys and girls ages 7-14 are invited to participate in the 1-mile run, beginning at 8:45 a.m. Registration fee is $20 by November 8 and $25 thereafter. Fee includes a Sport-Tek tee shirt and finisher medal. Awards will also be given to 1st and 2nd-place finishers in each division. Register at the Recreation and Parks Department administrative offices located at 615 S McClelland Street. Questions (805) 925-0951 ext. ci.santa-maria.ca.us

SANTA MONICA Gobble Wobble November 24, 2012

Get your Turkey Trot on Saturday after Thanksgiving with Race, Games, and Contests, 5k Fun Run/Walk, 1k Widdle Wobble for Kids (10 and under), Turkey Calling Contest, Costume Contest, Potato Sack Race Gobble Wobble Kid ZONE, Face Painting, Balloon Maker, Arts and Crafts. This event is a fun, family-friendly morning full of games, races, and activities for everyone. genericevents.com/gobble

TORRANCE Turkey Trot November 22, 2012

THANKSGIVING DAY 3-MILE FUN RUN 33RD ANNUAL HARRY SUTTER MEMORIAL The City of Torrance Community Services Department invites the entire family to participate in our Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Fun Run. This three-mile fun run will begin at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. After the fun run, there will be a spectacular post run prize drawing for mountain bikes, dinner vouchers, gym memberships and many other outstanding prizes. All registered participants will receive a commemorative Turkey Trot shirt. It's easy to do, it's fun, it's affordable, and an inspiring way to start a great American Holiday. Call: (310) 618-2930. torranceca.gov

TURLOCK 38th Annual Turkey Trot Family Fun Run
Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9 a.m. - Noon.

Donnelly Park
600 Pedras Rd
Turlock Ca
Children's 1-mile run will begin at 10 a.m., Adult 2-mile run will begin approximately 10:30 a.m. Turkey Trot Fun Run This fun run consists of a 2 mile run or walk as well as a 1 mile children's stampede around the park. A day filled with fitness and fun for the entire family! Prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd place finishers! turlock.ca.us

Location: San Antonio Park, 24th Street & Mountain Ave., Upland

Join the 5th Annual Upland Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk & 1K Kiddy Trot! Start/Finish at San Antonio Park Historical Waiting Station 5K Run/Walk. Check-In: 6:30 a.m. Start Time: 8 am Kiddy Trot (1K): 10 yrs & younger. Come out and exercise before the big meal! The City of Upland Recreation and Community Services Division and The Undefeated Baseline League Champs Boys & Girls Cross Country Team from Upland High School are proud to announce our annual 5K Run/Walk! Funds will help the high school's boys and girls cross country team. Prizes awarded to overall finisher- male and female. Medals will be given to the 1st place finishers in each age category of the 5K Run/Walk. Cost: $25-30 approx.

WALNUT CREEK Forma Gym Turkey Trot 5K/10K November 22, 2012

Annual Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning tradition, and benefits Walnut Creek Schools! We have three events: 5K, 10K and Kids' Fun Runs, which are all a perfect way to celebrate the holiday with your friends and family! Perfect for walkers and runners, there is also a play area for the kids, and treats for all the participants. lease join us on Thanksgiving Morning, November 22nd, for the 20th Annual Forma Gym Walnut Creek Turkey Trot to help raise money for both the Contra Costa County Food Bank and local public schools, as well as to promote physical activity. Hosted 4,600 runners and walkers in our 5K, 10K, and Kids' Fun Runs in 2011 and anticipate nearly 6,000 for 2012.

Gotta eat?

PARADISE - Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal Date November 22, 2012, 11 AM TO 2 PM Event Description: Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal No place to go on Thanksgiving Day? Come be a part of our family. Free dinner with all the trimmings. Request free transportation or a meal to be delivered to your home. Call Paradise United Methodist Church before noon on Wednesday: 530-877-5989. Presented by Paradise Area Churches in support of the Salvation Army.

SANTA MONICA - Westside Thanksgiving Celebration November 22, 2012, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a hearty traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Community members who need assistance with food services are especially welcome but the Celebration is open to everyone. Reservations are not required. For more information, donations or volunteers call (310) 394-3153. Contact: Santa Monica Vineyard Christian Fellowship: (310) 394-3153. westsidethanksgiving.org

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