Earn your turkey by running one of Utah's Turkey Trots

Earn your turkey by running one of Utah's Turkey Trots

(Ravell Call/Deseret News/File)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Thanksgiving is shortly upon us, and millions of Americans are anxiously awaiting a day filled with family, friends and food. There's the sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie … and who could forget the turkey? It is of course the centerpiece of any traditional Thanksgiving meal.

For many, however, the tender, juicy Butterball goodness cannot be devoured without having first participated in a pre-meal, calorie-burning ritual, known to most as the Turkey Trot.

Yes, the Turkey Trot.

Dating back to the late 1800s, the annual Turkey Trot has served as a way for people enjoy a day full of “guilt-free eating.”

While the calories burned during a trot may or may not equal the amount consumed, it doesn’t stop thousands of Utahn’s from participating in the various events across the state — and there are many.

Here are four Utah Turkey Trots held on Thanksgiving Day that may just help you earn your turkey:

The Thankful 13 Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Loop, Lehi

Where: 2301 West Ashton Blvd., Lehi, UT 84043
Cost: Half-marathon: $63; Family 5k: $24; Kids Loop (1/2 mile, 12 and under): $15
Register:thankful13.com

Nick Peterson, aka The Gobbler, runs in the USANA Turkey Trot 5K in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014. He placed second. USANA employees donated more than 800 pounds of food to the Utah Food Bank. (Photo: Ravell Call/Deseret News)
Nick Peterson, aka The Gobbler, runs in the USANA Turkey Trot 5K in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014. He placed second. USANA employees donated more than 800 pounds of food to the Utah Food Bank. (Photo: Ravell Call/Deseret News)

Held for nearly a decade, this race has been a Thanksgiving staple in many families. David Bell, race director and owner of Runtastic Events, said that his race serves three purposes: Your own fitness, quality time with family, and supporting Community Action Services and Food Bank.

With part of your entry fee going to the Food Bank, you will also be helping to earn much needed food and aid to people in need. Every finisher gets a medal.

Crosby also hopes to remind runners to be thankful and will post signs along the way with things participants are thankful for.

Utah Human Race, Draper

Where: 12101 S. State Street, Draper, UT 84020
Cost: 5K: $20; 10K: $25 (Save $5 per person if you register in groups of five or more)
Register:utahfoodbank.org. Online registration ends Tues. Nov. 24 at noon. No same-day registration.

With 5,500 participants in 2013, the Utah Human Race is one of the largest 5K/10K events in the state. The race encourages families to participate and does so by offering a $5 discount per person for groups of five or more.

In its ninth year, the race has been able to donate thousands of dollars to the Utah Food Bank, as every dollar earned is donated to the charity.

Race officials want you to “Help Utah Food Bank fight hunger statewide by running with an attitude of gratitude on Thanksgiving Day.”

Pilgrim 5K Thanksgiving Point

Where: Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, Utah
Cost: 5K: $30 through Nov. 23, $38 on Nov. 24-26.
Register:active.com. No same-day registration.


It is a costume run unlike any other. Registration includes your pilgrim wear: an iconic (and historically inaccurate) giant buckle hat or bonnet and a long-sleeved, cotton tee styled to look like a jacket or dress.

–Event organizer Kendall Wimmer


Much like the first Turkey Trots, the Pilgrim 5K at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi not only encourages participants to dress in “pilgrim wear,” but provides it as part of your registration.

“It is a costume run unlike any other,” said event organizer Kendall Wimmer. “Registration includes your pilgrim wear: an iconic (and historically inaccurate) giant buckle hat or bonnet and a long-sleeved, cotton tee styled to look like a jacket or dress.”

The fun doesn’t end there. The course is also marked with “pilgrim scenes,” topped off with a finish at Plymouth Rock, and a feast of apple cider and pumpkin bars.

Earn Your Turkey 4 Mile Run, Orem

Where: 580 W. 165 South, Orem, Utah
Cost: 4 mile run/walk: $20 with shirt, $15 without shirt; 2 mile health walk: $20 with shirt, $15 without shirt; Kids Fun Run: $15 with shirt, $10 without shirt
Register:raceentry.com. No same-day registration.

Started in 1982, this race is one of the longest standing Turkey Trots in the area.

Not only is this race fun, but it is competitive. “Hundred's of turkeys and pies are given away,” said event sponsor Amber Harper. “Frozen turkeys are also staged along the course that you can pick up to carry in and keep.”

You will not only be earning your turkey, but you may just pick up an extra one (or two) to save for later.

For more Turkey Trots in your area, go to utahrunning.com.

Correction: (11/13/2014) This article originally included incorrect ownership information about the Thankful 13 race. KSL regrets the error.


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About the Author: Arianne Brown -------------------------------

Arianne is a mother to six young children. Her down time is spent running the mountain trails of the Wasatch Mountains and beyond. Contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com, follow her on Twitter @arimom6 or search her Facebook page, "A Mother's Write."

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