Toe the Line for Thanksgiving 5Ks

Go ahead, have that third helping of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving—just think of it as carb-loading for one of the area's annual Turkey Trot 5K races.

Whether you're trying to crank out one last PR for the season or just get in a fun race, runners can catch a race Thursday, Friday or Saturday in spots all over South Jersey.

Here's the race weekend lineup:

Thanksgiving

Moorestown Turkey Trot—Moorestown High School

Burn off a few calories ahead of the big meal (alternately, make some room for extra stuffing) on the Moorestown High School cross-country course in what's the most low-key of all the holiday 5Ks. A $10 entry fee, which goes to help support the high school's XC teams, gets you a no-frills experience—don't expect a T-shirt or timing chips, but they will have the football stadium clock going to get your race time. Register online or on race morning starting at 8:30 a.m.

A one-mile fun run goes off at 9:15 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:45 a.m.

MooreKids will also be at the race, taking donations of granola and protein bars, apple sauce pouches and healthy fruit cups, shelf stable milk and healthy juice boxes to help the roughly 400 Moorestown students who might not otherwise get breakfast before school.

Medford Lakes Turkey Trot—Medford Lakes

Another pre-big meal run, this one winds around Balinger and Lower Aetna lakes in Medford Lakes, starting from Vaughn Hall. You'll need to be an early riser, though—the race goes off at 8:30 a.m. You could try combining this with the Moorestown run, but only if you're crazy fast or have a helicopter. Or both.

Registration ahead of the race is $20, either online or via a mail-in form, $15 for students and $25 on race day. The first 200 runners get a race shirt included with the fee.

Black Friday

Jolly Holly Run—High Street, Millville

As though it wasn't enough to have a 5K kick off a Christmas parade, the Jolly Holly Run also gives you a set of jingle bells with registration, which could come in handy in signaling runners at this night race.

A one-mile fun run goes off before the 5K at 6:20 p.m.—hang around after for the parade, which steps off at 7 p.m. at the other end of High Street.

Online pre-registration is $25 for the 5K or $30 on race day; the fun run is $8 for kids under 15 and $15 for kids 15 and over in advance, or $15 and $20 on race day.

Avalon Turkey Trot—Avalon

If you really want to escape the Black Friday mall crowds, it's hard to beat heading down to the shore and getting in a race.

Avalon has the second edition of its Turkey Trot first thing Friday morning—and even if you're a Black Friday shopper, you still might be able to squeeze in the race, since it won't go off until 10 a.m.

Online registration for $25 closes Tuesday; race-day registration starts at 8 a.m. and is $30, with T-shirts going to runners on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday

Haddon Township Turkey Trot—Haddon Avenue at the Pour House

One of the fastest holiday 5Ks—the winner's clocked under 17:00 every year—Haddon Township's race gives you the added bonus of breakfast at the Pour House right after the race.

The race begins on Haddon Avenue at 9 a.m. and ends in front of the Pour House, with a one-mile fun run/walk as an option for those who don't want to tackle the full 3.1 miles.

Early registration will be held at the Pour House Wednesday evening between 5 and 8 p.m., and at the Haddonfield Running Company on Friday from noon to 6 p.m.; race-day registration is $25 and starts at 7:30 a.m. at Westmont Fire Company No. 1. Runners who register in advance can pick up their packets at the Haddonfield Running Company on Friday during registration hours.

East Greenwich Turkey Trot—Jeffrey Clark School, Mickleton

Benefitting the Jeffrey Clark and Samuel Mickle schools, a 5K and 1-mile walk both go off at 9:30 a.m. along Kings Highway in Mickleton.

Registration is $20, either online or in-person, starting at 8 a.m. at Jeffrey Clark School's gym on Quaker Road.

Gobbler 5K—Medford

The YMCA's Camp Ockanickon hosts the seventh edition of this race, which goes to benefit a scholarship fund for summer campers—and where else can you race for a chance to win the Mighty Pilgrim of the Pines award?

Runners can race both individually and as part of a team on a course that winds through the pines around Lake Stockwell. Registration is $25 for individuals 12 and up ($20 for YMCA members), $10 for kids under 12 or $75 for a team of four; a 1.5-mile walk is $15 for anyone 12 and up ($10 for YMCA members) and $5 for kids between 4 and 12.

The race and walk both kick off at 9:15 a.m.; check-in and registration is at the Rohrer Recreation Center at 8:30 a.m.