Turkey Trot: Here's Where To Find A Local Race In Colorado

ACROSS COLORADO – Across the U.S. this week, tens of thousands of Americans will don costumes and race through the streets on Thanksgiving morning at a local Turkey Trot.

“Turkey trots are sort of symbolic of Thanksgiving,” David Benjes, race director of the Louisville Turkey Trot in Louisville told Runner's World Magazine. “You get together with close friends and family and have a feel good moment. Running a race provides that feel good moment for people in a unique way.”

More than 1 million people are expected to run in one of 1,300 Turkey Trots across the country this year.

Turkey trots are non-competitive, the weather is not too hot, you know you're counteracting the overeating you'll be doing later in the day and the race usually raises money for a good cause. Plus, getting all that exercise makes it easier to deal with relatives later in the evening.

The first Turkey Trot (five miles on thanksgiving Day) began Buffalo New York in 1896 and is the oldest continuously held footrace in North America. Now sponsored by the YMCA, this year, race organizers will celebrate their 123rd annual race.

Colorado's biggest trot is the Mile High Turkey Trot to benefit United Way, which is expected to draw as many as 20,000 people who will circle Denver's Washington Park, some of them enjoying a beer garden at the end of the race. Beer companies are getting into the act too, with some, like Michelob, promoting giveaways for social media posts from your turkey trot.

Why not try one this year?

Here's a list of Colorado races (courtesy of RuningintheUSA.com).

Image: Runners break from the starting line at the 40th annual Turkey Trot to raise money for the Denver chapter of the United Way in south Denver on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Close to 10,000 runners took part in the race in and around Denver's Washington Park. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)