It's Turkey Trot season. Here are some fun, calorie-burning races in the Lower Hudson

Lace up your running shoes for one of the most popular running weeks of the year. It’s time to burn off extra calories at the many Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving (or before or after Thanksgiving) in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Turkey Trots have become an important Thanksgiving tradition. Many involve running (or walking) for a cause and they work as a fun, outdoors family event.

Jason Pinto, recreation superintendent of Mamaroneck Parks and Recreation, said the village’s turkey trot has grown from a few hundred participants to 1,200 last year.

“It’s a big community tradition. We get a few more participants every year,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that raise money for the event through different charities and groups.”

The following are a few of our picks. Find a race near you, register and hit the pavement.

Saturday, Nov. 18

Mount Vernon: The fourth annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K run/walk will take place in Hartley Park. Organized by We Run Mount Vernon, a community group aimed at “getting people healthy by getting people moving,” this year’s Turkey Trot features a 55-meter youth run for children ages 5 to 9. Check in time is 7 a.m. The youth run is 7:45 a.m. and the race is 8 a.m. The registration cost is $30, and $10 for children under 12.

Sunday, Nov. 19

Mamaroneck: One of the oldest trots around. Mamaroneck’s 57th annual Turkey Trot features one of the flattest, certified 5K course in Westchester. A 1-mile Gobbler race will start at 9:45 a.m. Pre-registration cost for the 1-mile children’s race is $20 ($25 on race day). The 5K Turkey Trot will start at 10:15 a.m. Pre-registration (Nov. 1–18): $40. Race day registration: $45. Both races begin in front of the Stephen E. Johnston Beach Pavilion at Harbor Island Park.

Irvington: A Thanksgiving tradition in the village since 1978, the Peter K. Oley Turkey Trot is named after a longtime track coach in Irvington. The race will start at 2 p.m. Runners complete a 2.5 mile course, starting by Dows Lane Elementary School, looping up through the village and finishing just off the Aqueduct in Memorial Park, mixing some hills, dales, dirt, grass and lots of fun. Online registration: $30 for Irvington residents or $25 for 16 and under; $35 for non-residents or $30 for 16 and under.

Tarrytown: The Trudy Dunbar Memorial 5K Turkey Trot & Gobbler Trot goes along the river walk, towards the lighthouse. A 1-mile Gobbler Trot will start in Pierson Park at 9 a.m. followed by a 5K race at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration fee is $40 ($45 on race day); Gobbler race is $30 until race day. Division winners will receive a Turkey.

More: Turkey trots: 10 easy hikes to walk off that Thanksgiving dinner

Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23

New Rochelle: Start your holiday season off right with a 5K run/walk, kid's mile race and tot Trot. Celebrating its 7th year, the New Rochelle Turkey Trot brings together friends and families to the historic district nd raises funds for local charities. Tot Trot (ages 5 and under) will start at 8:45 a.m., followed by Kid’s Mile at 9 a.m. and 5K Run/Walk at 9:30 a.m.

Yorktown: The Senator Terrence Murphy Annual Turkey Trot will raise money for St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Mohegan Lake, St. John’s Food Pantry in Mahopac and United For The Troops. It raised more than $11,000 last year and the goal for this year is $15,000. The 5K race will start at 8:30 a.m. on Front Street. The registration fee is $35.

Somers: Over the river and through the woods. The 5th Annual Somers Track and Field Booster Club 5K race will be held at Somers High School’s scenic cross country trail at 8 a.m., followed by a 1-mile fun run/walk at 9 a.m. “It’s beautiful, but expect hills and turns along the way.” Registration fee is $40 for 5K race and $15 for 1-mile fun run.

Valhalla: The Westchester Turkey Trot is part of the nationwide Thankful Turkey Run/Walk. This means on top of being part of your local Turkey Trot, your results will also be entered into the country’s largest virtual Turkey Trot. You can virtually come together with more than 50,000 runners and walkers participating in Turkey Trots around the country. Kids dash will start at 8:45 a.m., followed by 5K and 10K run at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is $42.99 for 5K, $47.99 for 10K and $12.99 for kid’s fun run (ages 11 and under).

Congers: The Rockland Road Runners' 5-mile Turkey Trot is branded as the largest running event in Rockland County, drawing more than 3,100 participants from the New York City metro area and beyond. The funds raised will support the efforts of the Marisa Fund for research, treatment and care of pediatric cancer patients. Check-in is 6:46-8 a.m. A wheelchair race starts at 8:15 a.m. and the 5-mile Trot at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25

Bedford: Now 18 years old, the Bedford Turkey Trot, branded as the hardest 5K course in New York state, is a family tradition that sees nearly 500 runners gather together to brave Indian Hill and the sometimes cold weather after Thanksgiving. The course begins at Bedford Village Memorial Park at 9 a.m. and runs past local horse farms and through the village green. Registration fee is $30.

Pelham: The Pelham Half Marathon and 10K comes back after the pandemic upended the race since 2019. It features a new course this year, which is certified by USA Track and Field. The half marathon will start at 7:30 a.m., followed by a 10K at 8 a.m. Race proceeds benefit the Pelham Civic Association, a charitable organization that promotes civic involvement and provides assistance to people in need.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Turkey Trot races in Westchester and Rockland NY