Looking to work for that Thanksgiving feast? Find a Turkey Trot run near you

It's all about making room for the turkey.

Pre-dinner events are just about as traditional as the Thanksgiving meal itself — high school football and another Detroit Lions televised loss, the midday traffic on the Interstates, and of course, morning road races, of which participation is timed early enough to avoid the traffic.

While Turkey Day road races long have had popularity in Central Mass., the number of events from which to choose has multiplied over recent years. No fewer than 16 running activities with a Thanksgiving theme are being run in the region, with 11 on the Thursday holiday itself.

"(The events) are becoming increasingly popular, and people now have an incredible amount of options," said Paul Jarvey, who has directed the Thanksgiving Charity Fun Run in Worcester for more than 20 years. "It's also an opportunity to give back, the giving part of Thanksgiving."

Like with most road races these days, events donate proceeds to local charities. Contributions to the Thanksgiving Charity Fun Run go to Friendly House and St. John's Food for the Poor.

The Whitin Five, now in its 34th year, benefits the Whitin Community Center, Massachusetts Audubon Society and Girls on the Run, Worcester County. The 5-miler in Whitinsville has long been a popular tradition in the Blackstone Valley, attracting runners from all over Central Mass., and likely played a role in more holiday events sprouting about the region.

"The tradition of running a race on Thanksgiving has evolved, probably because there are more runners," longtime Whitin Five race director Linda Usher said. "Lots of people are out there, fast and slow."

Yet added races in the region have affected recent Whitin 5 turnouts, which had numbered around 800. About 500 finished last year — runners, walkers and virtual — in the event's return from COVID, while Usher reports entries are streaming at a fine pace this fall.

"The race has lost runners because of other towns around now having races, and some have a preference to run a 5K instead of 5 miles," Usher said, "but we have a lot of loyal runners with the Whitin 5 who get enthusiastic every year."

This year, Terri Powell has joined Usher as co-director, while the event is now sponsored by Tri-Valley Front Runners, so the Whitin 5 will continue to thrive.

And as mentioned, there are plenty of events from which to choose, starting with races next weekend:

Saturday, Nov. 19

∎ 8:30 a.m. — Boylston Gobble Wobble 5K, Town Center, 10 Church St., Boylston. This is the second annual event, supporting the Boylston Education Foundation. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Boylston/BEFGobbleWobble5K.

∎ 9 a.m. — Westborough Turkey Trot, 5K, Westborough High School, 90 Main St., Westborough. In its ninth year, a town-wide health and fitness event for the Westborough schools. Race welcomes nonperishable items for Westborough Food Bank. Visit https://www.westboroughturkeytrot.com/.

Sunday, Nov. 20

∎ 10 a.m. — Turkey Trot for Tots 5K, Lost Shoe Brewing Company, 19 Weed St., Marlborough. Benefits Toys for Tots, complete with after party and visit from Santa. Visit https://racewire.com/register.php?id=13047.

Thursday, Nov. 24

∎ 8 a.m. — Ayer Fire Department Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race, 1 West Main St., Ayer. There's no race-day registration, mostly flat with several short hills. Visit https://www.ayer.ma.us/fire-department/pages/thanksgiving-day-road-race.

∎ 8 a.m. — Hopedale Fire & Police Gobble Wobble 5K, Hopedale Fire Department, 40 Dutcher St., Hopedale. Fifth year for this event, which welcomes runners and walkers. Visit https://hopedalegobblewobble.com/.

∎ 8 a.m. — Holden Road Race, Big Y Plaza, 160 Reservoir St., Holden. Among CMass' larger events benefiting charities, with $100 in prize money to top male and female finisher. Information: https://raceroster.com/events/2022/57237/2022-holden-road-race.

∎ 8 a.m. — Northborough Turkey Trot, 5K, Marion E. Zeh Elementary School, 33 Howard St., Northborough. In its 15th year, has raised money for Northborough Food Pantry and this year will support summer camps through the Northborough Recreation Department. Visit https://www.northboroughturkeytrot.org/.

∎ 8 a.m. — Philip J. Weihn Turkey Chase 5K, 149 Chestnut St., Clinton. This is the 21st year for the Turkey Chase, a scholarship event limited to 500 runners, with no race-day registrations. Entry fee: $20. Visit http://www.turkeychase.org/.

∎ 8 a.m. — Stow Gobbler 5K, Stow Community Park, 50 Old Bolton Road, Stow. Returns as an in-person event; benefits the Stow Community Chest. Visit https://www.stowcommunitychest.org/gobbler.

∎ 8 a.m. — Turkey Trot for the Memory, 5 miles and 2 miles, Shrewsbury Common, 10 Church Road, Shrewsbury. Event is in his 11th year, will all proceeds going to the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Visit https://www.turkeytrotforthememory.org/.

∎ 8:10 a.m. — Whitin Five-Mile Road Race, Whitin Community Center, 60 Main St., Whitinsville. Virtual remains an option for treasured Thanksgiving tradition. Visit http://tri-valleyfrontrunners.com/whitinfive/whitinfive.php.

∎ 8:30 a.m. — Greater Gardner Turkey Trot, 5 miles, Gardner City Hall, 95 Pleasant St., Gardner, to American Legion, 3 Central St., Baldwinville. Point-to-point event, now in its 43rd year, benefits cross-country/track programs at Gardner High and Narragansett Regional. Visit https://www.gardnertrackxcboosters.org/greaterturkeytrot.html.

∎ 8:30 a.m. — Southborough Gobble Wobble, 5K run, 2-mile walk, Trottier Middle School, 49 Parkerville Road, Southborough. Already in its 16th year, event has supported many recreational facilities and activities in town. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Southboro/Southboroughs13thAnnualGobbleWobble.

∎ 9:30 a.m. — Thanksgiving Charity Fun Run, 5K, Banner Bar and Grille, 112 Green St., Worcester. No other entry fee other than welcome donations to Friendly House and St. John's Food for the Poor. Pre-registration begins at 6 p.m. the Tuesday before at The Banner, 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving. Call (508) 755-0019 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1731114007258398.

Sunday, Nov. 27

∎ 9 a..m. — Tough 10 and Fast 5 Turkey Trot, Ghiloni Park, 125 Concord Road, Marlborough. Whether its 10 miles or 5 miles, entry donation is 15 canned goods to Marlborough Food Pantry. Visit https://www.highlandcitystriders.org/turkey_trot.html.

∎ 9:30 a.m. — Trot with Ted, 5K, 10K, kids' run, Tantasqua Regional High School, 319 Brookfield Road, Sturbridge. Celebrating its 10th running, benefiting the Tantasqua Education Foundation. Visit https://www.tedfound.org/events.

Contact John Conceison at john.conceison@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @ConceisonJohn

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Local Thanksgiving races that will benefit the body and the community