It’s that time of the year again! Before you sit down for your Thanksgiving feast, pre-burn those calories or beat the cold weather with a run on Thanksgiving morning. Here are options for every kind of runner in Charlottesville, the DC area, and Richmond to start your Turkey Day right.

For the Social Butterfly:     

Boar’s Head Turkey Trot
This popular Charlottesville 5K benefits the UVA Children’s hospital and gathers over 1,000 runners every year. It starts at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Run, walk or cheer on your friends, right here in Charlottesville. 

Alexandria Turkey Trot
This race boasts over 5,500 registrations per year, and registration opens as early as July. More runners means more people to cheer you on!     

If you haven’t hit the treadmill in a while:   

Earlysville Turkey Trot
If you want to skip the crowds in Charlottesville, head up to Earlysville, located just 15 minutes north of the city of Charlottesville, for the 5K and Kids' Fun Run hosted each Thanksgiving. The race starts at 9 a.m. The course is mostly downhill, so you might be looking at a new personal record… even if it’s been a while since you last went to the gym.    

Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger
This run in the District is perfect for the casual runner. The 5K Walk/Run and Kids' One Miler’s proceeds go to help hungry and homeless families in DC who can’t afford a big Thanksgiving spread.    

For the serious runner:   

Richmond Marathon
If you want to do the full 26.2, you may have to get that Thanksgiving workout a little bit early this year. The Richmond Marathon is Nov. 15. The race also offers a half marathon option, as well as a 8K and 5K. 

Register online, bundle up, and earn your Turkey Day dinner!