Thanksgiving races are fun for the whole family. Thanksgiving is when many people come home from college or from out-of-state to be with their family for the holiday.
Christmas is about creating a special time at home for the kids. Thanksgiving is about coming home to spend time with family and eat Mom’s great cooking!
Thanksgiving is also a great time to spend with friends and go for a run!
Here are some race on or around Thanksgiving that you should check out.
Pre Thanksgiving Races
Here are a few races in the Thanksgiving theme, but a few weeks away from Thanksgiving.
2 November – 9:30 walkers and 10:00 AM for runners – Saturday
Pavilion Park, Ipswich, MA
The Association of Great Neck (AGN) hosts the annual Turkey Tune-Up 5K Run/Walk at Pavilion Park to benefit the AGN Scholarship Fund.
The 5K Run/Walk circles scenic Great Neck with ocean views and is stroller and leashed dog friendly.
The race is a USATF sanctioned event and timed by Bay State Race Services. T-shirts with advanced registration (by October 31) .Prizes for winners in all age groups, refreshments, and a raffle.
This is a small race with plenty of parking and kid friendly.
Registration is $30 and is open.
17 November 8:00 AM – Sunday
Danvers, MA
This is a 5K and 4.5 Miler in downtown Danvers.
A portion of proceeds will be allocated to the People to People Food Pantry.
We are requesting all participants bring a non-perishable item with them to pre-race packet pickup or on race day. For every non-perishable item you bring, you will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a variety of donated prizes, gift baskets, gift certificates and more.
My advise is to place your food donations in the bag you plan to take to the race the night before. Early in the morning, it’s easy to forget things.
Registration is open and is $35 through November 16th and $40 on race day.
17 November 11:00 AM – Sunday
Billerica, MA.
At 10AM there is a free Tot Trot (kids 11 and under) around the Marshall Middle School Track.
At 11AM the 5K starts from the Marshall Middle School.
All proceeds support the Billerica Partners for Education (bped.org), the Billerica Substance Abuse Prevention Committee, and the Billerica Public Schools Health and Wellness Committee.
Registration open and is $25 and $30 on race day. Senior registration is $15 and $10 for students 13 and under.
Teams are encouraged, so get your whole family together for a great 5K run or walk.
23 November 9:00 AM – Saturday
Hopkinton, MA
Start and finish right outside the doors of Hopkinton Country Club!
After the race enjoy an amazing Breakfast Buffet which will include fresh fruit, assorted danish, muffins, breakfast breads, assorted yogurts, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fried potatoes, assorted juices, coffee and tea!
So burn some calories conquering those 3.1 miles and then come feast!
Registration is open and is $45. This includes a tech shirt and an amazing buffet breakfast.
23 November 9:00 AM – Saturday
Kingston, MA
This USATF certified course begins and loops back to the Hilltop Athletic Club on Pottle Street, Kingston, MA.
Registration is open and is:
Adult (19-69): $25.00 online (plus fee)/ $30.00 on-site
Senior (70+): $15.00 online (plus fee) / $20.00 on-site
Student (11-18): $20.00 online (plus fee)/ $25.00 on-site
Child (10 & under): $15.00 online (plus fee) / $20.00 on-site
Online registration is open through the end of the day on Thursday, November 21st
23 November 9:00 AM – Saturday
Waban, MA
The USATF Certified 5K run is a beautiful out and back course that leads you through Newton neighborhoods, onto the Commonwealth Avenue carriage lane to Newton City Hall and loops back to end at Zervas Elementary School. The roads will be monitored by Newton Police.
This year the Newton Turkey Trot will be raising money for both the Newton Food Pantry and Travis Roy Foundation’s Ethan Wang Fund.
Registration is open through November 19th, and is $25 for the 5K and $15 for the kid’s 1 mile fun run. Prices increase $10 on October 29th.
23 November 9:00 AM – Saturday
Westborough High School, Westborough, MA
All proceeds benefit Westborough Public Schools complementing programs and innovative initiatives.
Registration is open and is: $25 for the 5K, $30 on race day and $5 for the kid’s fun run.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving please bring non perishable items, canned food or dry goods to the High School on race day. We will be collecting those items and donating them to the Westborough Food Bank. Thank you!
There will not be a bag drop at this race.
23 November 9:00 AM – Saturday
Longmeadow, MA
Please support St. Mary’s Academy as we raise funds for the school in our Jingle Bell 5K run and 1 mile fun walk. Our mission at St. Mary’s Academy is to promote academic excellence within a Christ-centered Catholic community.
Students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 learn acceptance and appreciation of others and develop to their full potential within a nurturing, family environment.
Please join us after the race in the gym for Coffee/Hot Chocolate, Bagels, Christmas Music, Arts & Crafts, Awards, Raffles and a visit with Santa.
Registration is $25 per person and $60 per family.
23 November 9:15 AM – Saturday
Tyngsboro, MA
The USATF has chosen this course as part of its Cross Country Series. The USATF race will start at 11:15AM for the women and 12:15PM for the men.
This run/walk event raises funds for the Academy of Notre Dame Rachel Morrison Memorial Fund.
There is an event for everyone in the family on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
There will be a community walk at 9:15 AM followed by a trail dedication ceremony at 10AM.
The community 5K run will start at 10:15 AM.
Registration is open!
24 November 11:00 AM – Sunday
Medford, MA
The Medford Jingle Bell Walk/Run benefits all public and private schools in the City of Medford.
When you register for the Medford Jingle Bell Run, you can choose which Medford school, team or club to support with your registration fee.
This unique fundraising concept allows you to support the school, team or club dearest to your heart.
Each school, team and club also compete to get a percent of all money raised from race related fundraising. Each group gets a percent of total fundraising based on how much money each group raises through their own efforts.
So when you buy a raffle ticket or other fundraising item you help the child from that organization increase how much money their organization receives from the race.
The route is flat and fast. It begins at the Krystle M. Campbell Peace Garden and heads down Riverside Avenue into Medford Square – left at Citizens Bank – left onto Clippership Drive – right onto Riverside Avenue – right onto Freedom Way – follows the bike path and around Hormel Stadium – back down Freedom Way – left onto Riverside Avenue ends at the Krystle M. Campbell Peace Garden.
Registration fee is: $10 for kids under age 11; $15 for kids 11-18; and $25 for adults in advance or $30 day of race.
Race day bib pickup and registration is at the Medford Senior Center which is next to The Krystle M. Campbell Peace Garden on Riverside Ave.
Thanksgiving Races 2019
28 November 7:30 AM – Thanksgiving
Milford High School
Registration is open at $20 for adults and $15 for 18 and under.
28 November 7:30 AM – Thanksgiving
Kick off your holiday weekend the right way with the biggest Thanksgiving Day race on the South Shore. Race proceeds go to the Hingham High School XC/Track Boosters, and awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers in each age group.
Registration is open and is $30 and $20 for 18 and under.
28 November 8:00 AM
John Glenn Middle School Bedford, MA
This is a friendly fun-run / walk as a fund-raiser for Bedford Food Pantry. The event provides a significant portion of the food pantry annual budget, and is a great way to build up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner.
The race does not use timing chips and is limited to 250 runners and walkers.
The registration fee until November 20 is $30. November 21-28 is $35. Children 12 and under receive a discount (applied at checkout) so bring the whole family!
This is a USATF sanctioned race, with sanction # 19-02-286.
28 November 8:00 AM – Thanksgiving Day
Sun, rain, or snow we run!
The course is mostly flat, with several short hills. Course runs down Main Street and through residential neighborhoods. Marshals will be posted throughout the course, and a water station will be provided on the race course.
Registration is open
28 November 8:00 AM
McKay Street, Pittsfield, MA
Start your Thanksgiving morning with this 8:00 AM family friendly run.
St. Joseph’s Food Pantry will be the beneficiary of race proceeds this year!
To support this years cause please consider purchasing a Thankful Beanie (winter hat) for $20
Non perishable food items will be collected at Berkshire Running Company up until race day.
Bib number and Beanie pick up will be at BRC on Wednesday November 27th from 10 AM-6 PM and race morning from 7 AM-7:45 AM
Race start is on McKay Street. This is a 6 lap family friendly course on a roughly 1/2 mile loop with sidewalks.
Registration for this free race is open.
28 November 8:00 AM
Join the 20th running or this Thanksgiving 5K!
Registration is $25 until November 25th and then goes up to $35.
28 November 8AM
Ipswich River Park – North Reading, MA.
All proceeds to benefit North Reading High School sports programs. Race registration is capped at 1,500 runners.
Registration open – Students $25, Adults $35, Family up to 4, $65 until Nov. 11th.
28 November 8AM
Attleboro YMCA, Attleboro, MA
Pre-race registration $25, race day $30. T-shirts for first 250, awards three deep in each age category! Child Watch available at the YMCA.
They are looking for a few volunteers for this race.
28 November 8:00 AM
Little Gobbler Fun Run – 7:30 AM
Nashua HS, Nashua, NH.
Proceeds benefit Nashua HS Cross-country Teams.
Canned good donations will also be accepted for the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter.
Registration is open:18+ $20, 17 and younger $15, FREE Little Gobbler Fun Run (ages 2-10).
After November 17 fees are $25/20 and FREE respectively.
28 November 8:00 AM
Gardner City Hall – Gardner, MA.
Registration for the 5 mile walk or run is $15.00. The walk begins at 8:10 and the run at 8:30.
28 November 8:20 AM
Maudslay State Park
This 30th annual cross-country 5K raises funds for Pettengill House, Our Neighbor’s Table & Opportunity Workshop.
Please bring a few cans of food for Our Neighbor’s Table Food Pantry.
Registration is open and is $32 or $16 for 18 and under.
28 November 8:30 AM
Kids run starts at 9:30 AM
Trottier School
Brought to you by the Southborough Recreation Department for 13 years and supporting local non-profits helping your friends and neighbors.
Registration is open and is $35/per person (run/walk), $25/Ages18 and under.
28 November 8:30 AM – Thanksgiving Day
Keyes Rd in Concord Center
This family friendly event is a great way to start Thanksgiving Day! Race-day Registration opens at 7:30 AM and is $35 cash or check.
Registration is open through November 16th for $30, $15 for kids 12 and under.
Registrations are capped at 1,500 – so don’t wait!
Please bring a food item to donate to the Open Table Food Pantry. They are in need of hearty soups and boxes of cereal in particular.
28 November 9:00 AM – Thanksgiving Day
Allston, MA
Come be a part of this awesome event and help change the world for people with MS.
The event includes a tee shirt for the first 700 runners to register, prizes for the top run finishes, fundraising prizes, and is a chip-timed, USATF-certified course.
I ran this race a few years ago and it is well organized. You will enjoy running through the neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton smelling pies and turkeys cooking as you go by homes full of families preparing their Thanksgiving Feasts!
Registration is open and is:
$25 until 9/30/2019
$35 10/1/2019 – 11/27/2019
Event Day Registration
$40 11/28/2019
28 November 9:00 AM
Sandcastle Resort and Club
What better place to run a Pilgrim Trot then where the pilgrims landed, Provincetown!
All proceeds will be donated to HOW (Helping our Women)
T-Shirts to the first 50 entrants
$100.00 cash prize for the first male and female finishers
Registration is $25 and $30 day of.
29 November 10:00 AM – Friday
RJ Gray Middle School
Registration is $30 and $35 on race day. Kids 12 and under are $15. Race day registration is cash or check only. T-shirts to the first 300 to register by November 13th.
30 November 10:00 AM – Saturday
Dennis Inn, Dennis, MA
All funds raised go to benefit the health and well-being of children in the Mid-Cape Area, and Four Annual College Scholarships at D/Y High School in Andrea’s name.
Registration is open and is $18 and $10 for 12 and under.
30 November 11:00 AM
Wolf Swamp Elementary School, Longmeadow, MA
Registration is $20 and $25 after November 15th.
Run well my Friends!
Andy
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As we stood there waiting a guy playing bag pipes walked around the corner. He didn’t play the National Anthem or anything and I didn’t see him again.
As we ran up The Fellsway to the first turn the incline continued. We hit mile one just after the pond and I was happy with an 8:13 pace.
As we got close to the last turn to the finish I heard a few people calling out my name. As I made the turn I saw Judy Dolan with her phone out. I thought she might be taking pictures so I gave a thumbs up as I passed by.
Lynda Field won her age group in the 10K.
Kid’s Fun Run starts at 7:30 AM and the 5K Road Race begins at 8 AM.
The Women’s Fund of Southeastern MA raises funds and takes collaborative action so that all women in the region have strong opportunities to earn a living wage. The mission of the Women’s Fund is to advance the educational attainment and economic security of women and girls in Southeastern Massachusetts. Funds raised support the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts, primarily in the greater New Bedford area.
Registration is $25 for Adults, $30 on race day,
If someone you know is running their first 5k road race, get them something to remember their big moment.
