Widely regarded as the first Turkey Trot, the YMCA Turkey Trot in Buffalo, N.Y., celebrates its 117th running this year, making it the longest-running foot race in the United States, even older than the Boston Marathon. True “turkey trots,” however, date back to the 1700s in England, when turkeys were outfitted with little booties to protect their feet on the long journey from the countryside to the London marketplace. Keep that in mind when you find yourself running alongside a barefoot runner this year. Booties and birds aside, check out our third annual Gobbler Guide below for a Turkey Trot near you.
32nd Annual Pinehurst Turkey Trot
Pinehurst
5k, 10k, 13.1 miles, 1-mile fun run
Nov. 17
8:30 a.m.
Gobble Waddle 5k/10k run or walk
Smithfield
5k, 10k
Nov 17.
9 a.m.
Hampstead Kiwanis Park Turkey Trot
Hampstead
8k, 2-mile fun run, kids’ sprint
Nov 17
9 a.m.
www.kiwanisclubofhampstead.org
14th Annual Apex Turkey Trot
Apex
5k
Nov 17
10 a.m.
Twin Rivers Turkey Trot
New Bern
5k run/walk, dog job, kids’ dash
Nov 22
8 a.m.
15th Annual Turkey Trot
Boiling Springs
5k run/walk, children’s 1/2-mile fun run
Nov 22
8:30 a.m.
Skinny Turkey Half-Marathon
Raleigh
13.1 miles
Nov 22
7:30 a.m.
Beau’s Buddies Turkey Trot for Tots
Greenville, N.C.
5k run/walk, 1-mile fun run
Nov 22
8 a.m.
Ridgewood Turkey Trot
Raleigh
8k, 1-mile kids’ dash
Nov 22
8 a.m.
7th Annual Gobbler’s Run 5k Family Event
Wake Forest
5k
Nov 22
8 a.m.
Gallop & Gorge
Carrboro
8k
Nov 22
8 a.m.
The Streets at Southpoint Turkey Trot
Durham
5k run/walk, 1-mile fun run, 100-yard kids’ dash
Nov 22
8:30 a.m.
Inside-Out Sports Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
Cary
8k
Nov 22
8:30 a.m.
www.insideoutsports.com/extra/Turkey_Trot_8k_2012.htm
Turkey Strut
Winston-Salem
5k run/walk
Nov 22
8:30 a.m.
TreesGreenville Turkey Day 8k
Greenville, S.C.
8k, 2-mile walk, 1/4-mile “tot trot”
Nov 22
8:30 a.m.
www.treesgreenville.org/index.php/turkey-day-8k/
5th Annual Butterball 5k
Salisbury
5k
Nov 22
8:30 a.m.
2nd Annual Turkey Trot 5k
Mooresville
5k, kids’ dash
Nov 22
9 a.m.
www.mooresvillechristianmission.org
Goldsboro YMCA Turkey Trot
Goldsboro
5k, 1-mile kids’ run
Nov 22
TBA
www.goldsboroymca.org/newsite/special-events/turkey-trot
Kids First Turkey Trot
Elizabeth City
5k, Gobble Waddle, Tot Trot, Diaper Dash
Nov 24
9 a.m.
