Turkey Trots Near Boston For Thanksgiving 2017

The Turkey Trot. It's an increasingly popular way to start Thanksgiving. Although some happen the weekend before Thanksgiving it's the Thanksgiving morning trots we've got our eye on. Thanksgiving is now the most popular day for road racing. According to a recent study by Runners World and the RunKeeper app it caught up to and passed July 4 some six years ago in terms of popularity. New Year’s Day is apparently the third most popular day to run a race.

So where are all the turkey trots?

Franklin Park Turkey Trot - JP/Dorchester
This 5K runs through the Franklin Park and (aptly) supports the Franklin Park Coalition’s programs and events: woodlands restoration, youth programs, fitness activities and more year-round.
Start time: 9 a.m. Cost: $30 registration fee for adults, $12 fee for kids, free for children ages five and under; Where: Franklin Park Golf Course, One Circuit Dr., Dorchester/ JP Status: Online registration closes Wednesday at noon.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble, 4-Miler - Somerville
This 21st annual Somerville turkey trot raises funds for scholarships for high school students and supports Project Soup—New England’s first free supper program. The course is flat.
Start time: 9 a.m.; Cost: $30; 40 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville Status: Sold Out

Boston Volvo’s Turkey Trot - Boston/Brighton
This 21st annual 5k race in Brighton benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in New England. It's a big one.
Start time:9 a.m.; Cost: $25 pre-registration, $40 same day; Where: Ray Ciccolo’s Boston Volvo Village, 75 N. Beacon St., Brighton

Donohue's Turkey Trot - Watertown

Donohue's Bar & Grill is hosting its 12th Annual Turkey Trot 5k. Proceeds benefit the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. New for 2017, they'll have a team competition with prizes for the fastest team and largest team. All runners get a free long sleeve tech shirt, and are entered into a post-race raffle, which includes over fifty 6-packs of beer and bottles of wine. Pre/post-race breakfast opens at 7am

Start time: 5K Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Free Kids Fun Run starts at 8:35 a.m. Cost: $33 Where: Donohue's Bar & Grill, 87 Biglowe, Watertown

Wild Turkey 5 Mile - North Shore/ Salem This 14th annual race in Salem benefits the Girls and Boys Club of Greater Boston. The Wild Turkey 5 miler is the largest race on the North Shore with more than 2,000 participants.
Start time: 8 a.m.; Cost: $25 Where: Knights of Columbus Hall at the Salem Common, Salem

BHSAA Turkey Day 5K - Braintree

The 18th annual AA 5k starts at the Braintree high school.

Start time: 8 a.m. Cost: $30 on race day. Where: 128 Town Street, Braintree

Feaster 5 - Andover

The Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race in Andover has been a Merrimack Valley tradition since 1987. At 10,000 participants, it is one of the largest races in Massachusetts and one of the largest Thanksgiving day races in New England, according to the website.

Start time: 8 a.m. Cost:$45 race day for the 5 miler or the 5k. $35 for kids under 12 Where: At the park across from Woodworth Motors – Andover MA.

Family Gratitude 5k - Dedham

Proceeds from race benefit the Dedham Food Pantry and local Ripples of Hope community based service initiatives. Bring a bag of non-perishable food to be sorted on race day

Start time: 8 am Kids ½ Mile Run, 8:30 am 5K Race. Cost: $40 (cash or check ) Where: Endicott Estate, 656 East Street, Dedham, Status: online registration is closed.

Wellesley Turkey Trot - Wellesley

This annual 5k is mighty popular and usually sells out by the end of October and it's hosted by the Wellesley Turkey Trot Foundation, which is still in the process of selecting this year's race beneficiaries, according to the website.

Start time: 8 a.m. Where: 81 Linden Street Cost: Status: Sold out.

After Thanksgiving:

Saturday November 25

Jingle Bell Walk/Run - Medford

This year is the 5th annual The Medford Jingle Bell Walk/Run. The 5K race is to benefit all public and private schools in the City of Medford. As a race registrant, you can choose which Medford school, team or club to support with your registration fee.

Start: 10:30 a.m. Cost: $30 Where: The American legion, 321 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA.

Got one we missed? Let us know! email Jenna.Fisher@Patch.com with all the details and a link and we'll include it.

Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch