Earn a Second Helping
1 of 8
According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American can consume up to 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving. That's more calories than a family of four should eat for two meals!
Help your body out by getting in a quick run before the big feast, so you can feel a little less guilty when you grab that second helping of potatoes or extra slice of pie. Turkey trots usually follow a 5K course, and you can burn up to 300 calories in just 30 minutes of running.
Tire Out the Kids
2 of 8
You know how the saying goes: A tired kid is a well-behaved kid. Or is that for dogs? Either way, it's true! Waking the kids up early for a 7 a.m. turkey trot will tucker them out so they're not running around the house while you're trying to set the table. Add in some natural tryptophan from the turkey, and they might even crash by 9 p.m.–just in time for the adults to start the real Thanksgiving party!
Establish a Tradition
3 of 8
Run a turkey trot once, and it instantly becomes a family tradition. You'll look back on turkey trots passed with fond memories, and you'll even be able to see how much progress your family's fitness has made over the years. You might've started at a true trotting pace, but soon it's an all-out race to the finish! Turkey trots are a great opportunity for family photos, too, as well as a wonderful excuse for everyone dress in matching outfits.
Dress It Up!
4 of 8
Once Halloween passes, there really aren't a lot of opportunities to dress up in silly costumes like a turkey, a slice of pie or a whole cornucopia--and that's just sad! The more times you can squeeze Dad into a ridiculous costume, the better. Force the whole family into matching orange tutus or make DIY turkey day shirts, and it'll take your holiday photo ops to the next level.
Dress It Up!
5 of 8
Once Halloween passes, there really aren't a lot of opportunities to dress up in silly costumes like a turkey, a slice of pie or a whole cornucopia--and that's just sad! The more times you can squeeze Dad into a ridiculous costume, the better. Force the whole family into matching orange tutus or make DIY turkey day shirts, and it'll take your holiday photo ops to the next level.
Do It For the Medal
6 of 8
There's something intrinsically motivating about a shiny new medal. Challenge your kids to collect as many race medals as they can, and they'll be addicted to running races in no time.
Catch Up with Everyone
7 of 8
With all the hustle and bustle on Thanksgiving Day, it can be hard to actually sit down and reconnect with visiting family. So this year, don't sit–trot and chat instead. During a 30-minute race, you can easily reconnect with your family members and kick off the day with nostalgia and camaraderie.
Discuss This Article