What's the best thing to do before the turkey part of Turkey Day? Get the family out for a turkey trot! It will energize everyone and help combat post-dinner sleepiness on Thanksgiving. There are several fun runs scheduled for Thanksgiving Day morning, and many of them benefit local food banks. It's a double-whammy of feel-good.
The Turkey Day Trot at Magnuson Park in Seattle, part of the popular Magnuson Series, includes a 5K, 10K and 400-meter kids' dash. Dressing up is encouraged, as is bringing donations for Teen Feed, the featured charity of the run (www.magnusonseries.org).
The Turkey Day 5K and 5 Mile Fun Run in Redmond takes place at the city's Watershed Preserve. Dress up your "turkey legs" and see how fast they can carry you through the 5- or 1.7-mile course. Be sure to bring canned food donations for the Maltby Food Bank (www.finishstrongevents.com).
Tacoma's Norpoint Turkey Trot includes a 5K run, 2-mile run/walk and kids' trot, followed by crafts and games. Nonperishable food and gently used athletic shoe donations are welcome (www.metroparkstacoma.org).
The Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot features a 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk at Battle Point Park. This race is stroller-friendly and there are prizes for costumes. Donations benefit the local food bank, Helpline House (www.bainbridgeturkeytrot.org).
For more active family fun ideas for this week, visit Seattle's Child's online calendar.
