Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Every year I look forward to cooking my favorite dishes and enjoying a big holiday meal with my family. I also really look forward to my annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. While things are going to look and feel a little different this year, that doesn’t mean that this year can’t be just as special. Virtual Turkey Trot this year? 5 quick steps that will make it meaningful.
I know what you are thinking: Another virtual race? Why bother? Well, hear my out, I may change your mind.
5 Quick steps to make your Virtual Turkey Trot meaningful this year
I have written previously here about what I love about participating in a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot every year. Specifically, I love the tradition of waking up on Thanksgiving and running a race. I look forward to the stress relief because well, family drama. I appreciate the extra calorie burn off because carbs. Those are just a few of the reasons why I run it every November. Here’s why I am going to do a Virtual Turkey Trot this year and why you should too.
Sign up for your “regular” annual Turkey Trot
Local charities raise a ton of money for their annual holiday programs with races like Turkey Trots. Signing up for the race you usually do helps to ensure that those charities are still raising money and will get the funds they need to help their communities. Some races will allow you to forfeit the race shirt or swag in order to donate further to the receiving charity. That just feels good these days, doesn’t it?
Run the race route
If possible and safe, it’s always fun to run the actual race course you look forward to running. The bonus is that you can head out at whatever time you choose and not have to wait in line for the porta-potty.
Dress up!
I do so love a good holiday themed race! A Virtual Turkey Trot is so much more fun with turkey pants and gloves and socks on don’t you think? I will never forget the time I got totally smoked by a guy in a full on turkey costume including the webbed feet! One to remember for sure. (Contains amazon affiliate links)
Recruit the fam
There is still time to convince a spouse or kids to run it with you. One of the things I love about Turkey Trots is that so many families come out to run them together. To me, it seems these races are less about finish times and more about the memories made together running them as a family or with friends.
Post pics
Of course, we do it for the after selfie! Just because you are participating in a virtual turkey trot this year does not mean it’s not worth celebrating. Run it, post it, be proud of your accomplishments.
I’ve signed up for my favorite Virtual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot this year. How about you? How will you make it special in 2020?
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Laura, Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
This time last year, I was looking forward to the Turkey Trot in Naples, Florida. It was my first post-injury race and it was so much fun!!!
Enjoy your 5k, Deborah. Looking forward to the post-run selfie!
They are really fun to do I will miss the in person tradition this year. However, It’s motivating me to train since the one I like is a 10k
I haven’t really decided if I’ll do a turkey trot this year! I’m sure either way I will run, and maybe go out for a family run. These are all great reasons to run on Thanksgiving!
I feel like the charities really need to raise the funds this year so I am going to do it
Thanksgiving is going to be a low key affair for us this year. I’m signed up for my annual TT half marathon, virtually. I’ll run it the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as I always do. I’m going to do the actual route. I have a feeling there will be a lot of us out there that day!
Having the option to do the regular route is really nice!
I have been wondering about the fate of our annual turkey trot as well. I’m thinking we can still have it, but with all the necessary social distancing/COVID protocol. Heck, it’s usually cold anyways, the face masks will just add to the warmth, right? 😉 It’s been such a success in years past, raising funds and supplies for our local food pantry, I really hate to see that not happen.
exactly the local charities really need our help getting their normal Thanksgiving donations.
I was planning to run a virtual Turkey Trot BUT the race that I ran last year is scheduled to be live so I am very excited! For sure, if there was ever a time to register for a race to get your charity dollars out there, Thanksgiving is it.
OH wow having the option to do a real race is kind of exciting. Yes the charities need our help this year
We don’t have thanksgiving here but omg I love the gloves so much ahahah best tun gear ever
I know too cute!
Oh gosh, no, our family would not go for this at all. if I suggested running everyone would bust out laughing and ask if I were drunk. But it sounds like a great concept for non sarcastic families!
ha ha well thanks for sharing!
I have to see if my local turkey trot will be virtual this year – we went the last 2 years and it was starting to become a tradition! Great point that signing up can still help great organizations.
Yes I think they will really be counting on donations this year
This is going to be very weird. It’ll be the first Thanksgiving without a Turkey Trot.
Yes I could run one virtually but ‘ve giving up spending money in that way.
I wil most likely just go out for a run. Hopefully I can find some friends to join me.
hope you find a way to make it work for you!
So I’m not into our big, big Turkey Trot this year. It’s always so huge and even though they cut out the half marathon and seem to be limiting runners, there are still 2000 bodies running in a one hour period. The race that usually is by my house doesn’t seem to be happening at all, but maybe I will go and run the course and then drink a cranberry sparkler out of my trunk LOL.
It will be a game time decision.
We don’t have an in person race option here but I did not want to miss out on the fun
Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday 🙂 I’m planning on running my own Turkey Trot 5K or 10K since our annual race is cancelled, and I will be wearing my turkey costume as well, lol.
Can’t wait to see your cute photos! I know you love to dress up just like I do
For many years I didn’t run a local turkey trot because we’d be going to the family. While not super far away, it was still just always a long day. I would run, but trying to get to a race, waiting around, and getting cleaned up afterwards — it was too much.
Then I started hosting, and yes, I would squeeze in a turkey trot before everyone came (because now they had to travel).
Last year we once again headed to my parents. This year we’re staying home & it’s just us. I was just talking with a friend about the virtual turkey trot here. I’ll have to look into it. Thanks for the tips, Deborah!
Sounds like the perfect year to do one!
I’m hoping the weather will cooperate for our annual brunch (this year outdoors under the patio heaters on our deck) after my friends and I run the course of our local turkey trot virtually.
I hope so too you never know around here!
We don’t have thanksgiving here! I really wish we have! The virtual trot looks so much fun, and I love your outfits.
Thanks so much Mae 🙂
What a fun idea! I need to see if my local one is happening virtually! I like the idea of still supporting a cause. THe one we often do at the beach IS happening but we are staying home this year. Your turkey outfits are amazing.
Gotta break out the turkey outfit every year for sure!
I’ve never done a turkey trot before but seriously considering it this year. Thanks for all these options & ideas!
Fantastic! Hope you have a great race and lots of fun
Great ideas. We don’t have turkey trot run here but now I wish we do. Sounds like loads of fun. Btw I love your turkey outfits.
Since there are so many virtual options this year you can do it anywhere
You always have the cutest outfits when working out! I love how much you get into the themes. So fun!
Definitely makes it more fun!
I’ve never run a Turkey Trot because we’re always putting on a Turkey Trot. We may be able to do it this year because it’s a pretty small race. Even as a race director I love the family atmosphere of the race.
I love the family atmosphere as well. Hope you are able to have your race this year!
Something about getting ahead of the food coma and stress with a run. I was hoping that my hometown one would go virtual for the ones you referenced, but no emails so far. Those gloves <3
The stress relief on Thanksgiving has always been a motivator for me