Shake your tail feathers at these 7 local Thanksgiving fun runs

Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner, and what better way to express gratitude by than giving back to the community? Take a fall fun run for a good cause at one of these seven turkey trots around the region, and strut your way to the finish line before gobbling up your Turkey Day feast.

Run to Feed the Hungry (Sacramento)

Nov. 24 Touted as one of the country’s largest Thanksgiving races, the Run to Feed the Hungry draws nearly 30,000 people and benefits the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. (Folks can contribute even more this year by buying Run to Feed the Hungry swag like a hoodie or cap.) Both the 10K and 5K runs—which raised over $900,000 last year—start at Sacramento State and racers will wind through East Sacramento neighborhoods before crossing the finish line for a post-race, pre-turkey party. $20-$55. 8:15 a.m. for 10K race. 9 a.m. for 5K race. J St. and Carlson Dr. 456-1980. runtofeedthehungry.com

Turkey Trot (Davis)

Nov. 19 Look out for live turkeys as you wind your way through the streets of downtown Davis for this 29th annual trot. All levels and ages of runners are welcome to join in a 5K, 10K or half-marathon, while kids can get in on the action with fun runs at three distance options, including a 200-yard toddler trot. After the runs, grab your runner's medal and cool off at a post-race expo in Civic Center Park with refreshments and a kids play area. The Davis Turkey Trot benefits A Change of Pace Foundation, which organizes community exercise and events in the city and surrounding areas. $14-$66. 8 a.m. for 5K and half-marathon. 8:30 a.m. for 10K. 11 a.m for kids fun-runs. Davis. Intersection of 6th and C streets. 530-757-2012. changeofpace.com

Courage Run (Elk Grove)

Nov. 24 Elk Grove’s annual Courage Run on Thanksgiving morning will benefit Rocklin’s Courage Worldwide, which aims to provide homes to children rescued from human trafficking and whose motto is, “Run so they don’t have to.” You can do just that during a 5K, 1a 0K, and a quarter-mile kids run, all of which start and end at Elk Grove’s Courage House on Longleaf Drive. Ruthie Bolton, a former Sacramento Monarch and current Natomas resident, is one of the organization’s major supporters. (Read her inspiring story here). $14-36. 8 a.m. Kids fun run. 8:10 a.m. 10K. 8:15 a.m. 5K. Elk Grove. 8280 Longleaf Dr. 517-1616. courageworldwide.org

Turkey Trot (Folsom)

Nov. 24 Walk, run, and don your feathered hat for Folsom’s turkey trot, which will include a 10K for serious runners and a family-friendly 5K run/walk that welcomes strollers, well-behaved dogs and all agility levels. Participants are known to dress up in colorful costumes to compete in a best-dressed contest at the end of the event. The run will benefit Folsom’s Twin Lakes Food Bank, which fed over 17,000 people during last year’s race and the “Never in Our Town” youth scholarship, which provides financial support to students in community sports. $35. 8:50 a.m. for 10K. 9:10 a.m. for 5K. Folsom. 403 Stafford Street. folsomturkeytrot.com

Turkey Trot for Teal (Herald)

Nov. 24 For the sixth year in a row, Herald’s Thanksgiving Day 5K will raise money for ovarian cancer research through the local nonprofit Strong-as-Steele. Sip hot cocoa and coffee at the start of the race to fuel your 3.1-mile trot along the flat course, which includes a water stop midway through the course and will conclude with medals for participants, raffle prizes, T-shirt giveaways and snacks. The event is open to all ages and encourages running, jogging and walking toward the finish line. $30. 8:30 a.m. Herald. Ivie Rd. active.com

Turkey Trot (Roseville)

Nov. 24 Long before football and mealtime kick off, you can celebrate Turkey Day at this 5K and 10K fun run. Walk and jog solo, or make a team with friends and family to participate in these races that begin and end in Vernon Street Town Square. Everyone is encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the homeless through the Placerville Saint Vincent DePaul Society and registration funds will benefit recreation programs for at-risk youth in Roseville. Register by Nov. 20 to receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, and stick around after the runs for an awards ceremony that will offer prizes to winners in four age categories. $35-45. 9 a.m. Roseville. 311 Vernon St. 772-7529. roseville.ca.us

Running of the Turkeys (Woodland)

Nov. 24 The 8th annual Running of the Turkeys 5K is Yolo County Food Bank’s signature fundraising event and will provide funds and food to those in need this winter. Participants can walk or run the race and are highly encouraged to do so in costume and in teams, with post-race prizes for the best-dressed kid and best-dressed team, which in the past has been won by groups fashioned as super heroes or feathered turkeys. The race has grown from 131 registrants in its first year to 1,200 in 2015, and is likely to grow even more this year. $18-42. 8 a.m. Woodland. 600 Main St. 530-668-0690. runningoftheturkeys.org

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