Get a Move On Thanksgiving Day in Houston

If you’re like me, you’re already mapping out your Thanksgiving Day dinner plate. Mine ideal plate is carb-and fat heavy – with lots and lots of stuffing and gravy! – and that never means good things for my waistline, so I am definitely going to have to get up early to fit in a nice, long run. Did you know that Thanksgiving Day is traditionally associated with organized fun runs, sometimes called “Turkey Trots”? There are several organized runs in the Houston area on Thanksgiving morning if you are looking for some company while you try to preemptively burn off some of those turkey day calories. Maybe I’ll see you there!

• Katy YMCA 2010 Turkey Dash: Proceeds from this race benefit the YMCA Partners Campaign, with the race itself being run in the city of Katy. The event begins at 7:30 AM with a 1-mile kids race (14 and under) and the 5k kicks off at 8 AM. A 1-mile family walk/run begins at 9 AM. Online registration is available. The day will include door prizes and a post-race party with live music.
• GE Run Through the Woods 2010: Held in The Woodlands, about 30 minutes outside of the city of Houston, the GE Run Through the Woods is held at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. A 12-and-under children’s race begins at 7:45 AM, a 5-mile run begins at 8:15 AM, a 3-mile teen run (ages 12-17) starts at 8:25 AM and a 3-mile walk starts at 8:35 AM. The Run Through the Woods will be holding a pancake breakfast that morning and will benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society, the South Montgomery County YMCA Partners Program, Operation Graduation, Conroe ISD AFJROTC and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Education Outreach Program. Online registration is available. Bring canned goods to donate to the canned goods drive being held during the race.
• TXU Energy Turkey Trot 2010: This Thanksgiving fun run benefits Sheltering Arms Senior Services. The first race begins at 7:55 AM, which marks the official start time for the 10k and 5k wheelchair start. At 8 AM the 10k and 5k races begin, with the 5k run/walk scheduled to  begin at 8:15 AM. A children’s run/walk is scheduled to start at 9:15 AM. The TXU Turkey Trot is run in the city of Houston, beginning at the Galleria mall on Post Oak Road. Online registration is available.
• 25th Annual Sugar Land Surgical Hospital Turkey Trot: Race organizers ask that participants bring canned goods, warm clothing and running shoes to benefit East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. Online registration is available. The Sean Scroggins Kids’ Mile (12 and under) begins at 8 AM, a timed 5-mile race begins at 8:30 AM and the 2.8-mile family walk begins at 9:05 AM.

Photo credit: SXC