2016 Turkey Trots: Thanksgiving Day races worth checking out

**15^th Annual Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger** TIME: A Kids’ One Mile Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., followed by a timed 5k run/walk at 9 a.m. and an untimed 5k run/walk at 9:15 a.m. START: Freedom Plaza REGISTRATION: until Nov. 23, or you can register that day. PRICE: Until Nov. 23 it鈥檚 $45 for a timed participant and $40 for an untimed one; on race day, untimed registration is $50. (Skewed Patella Photography, courtesy of SOME)

The Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger, which starts at Freedom Plaza, raises money for So Others Might Eat 鈥� a nonprofit that helps fight poverty. (Skewed Patella Photography, courtesy of SOME)

**41st annual Turkey Trot 5-miler** TIME: Race starts at 9 a.m., but doors open at George Washington Middle School at 7:30 a.m. for registration and packet pickup. START: Starts and ends at George Washington Middle School,聽1005 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia REGISTRATION: will be open through the morning of race day. Participants can register in person at the race. PRICE: 12 and under: $5 online or $10 on race day; 13-21 years old: $15 online or $20 on race day; 22 years and older: $20 online or $25 on race day. (Courtesy Lindsey Nelson)

Runners at the Alexandria Turkey Trot in 2015. The race is considered one of the most competitive turkey trots. (Courtesy Brian Danza/Capital Area Runners Facebook)

**34th Annual Bethesda Turkey Chase** TIME: The 10K starts at 8:30 a.m.; 2-mile starts at 9 a.m.; Tot Trot at 9:40 a.m. START: All events begin at the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 9401 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, Maryland REGISTRATION:聽Participants can or in person on race day. PRICE: The 10K is $46 until Nov. 23 and $52 on race day; the 2-mile is $21 until Nov. 23 and $27 on race day; the Tot Trot is $15 and the 1K is $10. (Courtesy Cindy Bertaut/YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)

The Bethesda Turkey Chase has a Tot Trot as well as 10K, 2-mile and 1K races. (Courtesy Cindy Bertaut/YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)

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WASHINGTON 鈥� Thanksgiving Day may be a time to scarf down stuffing, turkey and pies, but before you do, think about participating in one of the many “turkey trot” races in the D.C. area. Many offer a great way to give back, or help you burn calories before binging on the bird.

Here are three popular races in the D.C. area. — all are still accepting race registration.聽Click through the gallery above for more race details.

DC

Kick off your Thanksgiving Day by running by the Capitol for the The Trot for Hunger in D.C.

The race, which starts at Freedom Plaza, raises money for 鈥� a nonprofit that helps fight poverty. The proceeds from the 5K go toward SOME鈥檚 services 鈥� including food, health care, clean clothing, job training and more,聽said Rebecca Potts-Dupre, spokeswoman for the organization.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really, really wonderful way to start off your Thanksgiving Day. Your participation gives back to our local community, and I just think it鈥檚 a beautiful way to give back before sitting down to a meal with your family,鈥� Potts-Dupre said of the race which expects 10,000 participants this year.

It’s a good race for all types of participants, she said 鈥� whether you’re competing to get a personal record on this flat course or want to take a leisurely stroll with friends and pets. The race even offers different prices based on whether you want to be timed or not.

Virginia

The Alexandria Turkey Trot turns up the heat before the Turkey Day cooking even begins.

The five-mile Thanksgiving Day race, with an expected 6,000 participants, is 鈥渄efinitely the most competitive [race] every year,鈥� said race director Brian Danza.

鈥淲e always have probably the fastest runners in the entire area,鈥� he said.

Part of the proceeds from the race through downtown Del Ray go to , the Alexandria food bank. Canned goods are collected in the days leading up to the race, too.

Maryland

Traditions are a huge part of the Thanksgiving celebration. Traditions also are a big part of the Turkey Chase 鈥� an event made up of several races in Bethesda on Thanksgiving Day.

Three turkeys help lead the races at the Bethesda Turkey Chase. (Courtesy Cindy Bertaut/YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)

鈥淚t鈥檚 like a reunion, with everyone getting together,鈥� said Carla Larrick, vice president of operations at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington/Bethesda-Chevy Chase. 鈥淭hey work out and then feel good about eating the big Thanksgiving dinner that comes later in the day.鈥�

The race, in its 34th year, is steeped in tradition, but offers something new to its participants this year: a 1K race for anyone who wants to 鈥渟print鈥� the distance, Larrick said. There are 10K, 2-mile and 鈥渢ot trot鈥� races, too.

The proceeds from the race to toward charities selected by the B-CC Rotary Club, the event鈥檚 other organizer and sponsor. Also, the YMCA gives its money to those in need of scholarships for its services and programs, and also to its youth and family services.

About 9,000 people are expected to participate in the events and about 350 volunteers help the event run smoothly 鈥� including three larger-than-life turkeys who lead the pack.