Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There's nothing finer than bellying up to my family's table in an aromatic kitchen and eating first, second, third and even fourth helpings of food. But that is only part of the reason Thanksgiving tops my holiday list. The other part happens long before the bird is stuffed or the first guests arrive. Before most of my family members are even awake on Thanksgiving morning, I am lacing up my running shoes for the local turkey trot.

Many turkey trots are community events with long standing traditions for those who run them. It's an early morning gathering among familiar faces, a reunion for out-of-towners, or even a chance to meet some of the new running folk in the neighborhood. And it's probably the only realistic opportunity to run before you catch that first whiff of basted turkey.

No matter what neck of the woods you're from, there are widespread Turkey Trots in and around Chicago to flock to. Beginning as early as November 20, Herrin, in downstate Illinois, hosts the Kevin Reveal Memorial Turkey Run. And the following day, Batavia and Lincolnwood contest their local trots. The Lincolnwood Turkey Trot is one of the larger holiday events, and it attracts more than 1,000 runners in the 5K and 10K combined.

Then on Thanksgiving Day, the turkey trots run wild. Many people in Chicago and the burbs have made a tradition out of running the "Vertel's" Turkey Trot and Plymouth Rock Ramble. Even though Vertel's is no more, don't fret, the race has found new sponsorship from Goose Island and is being presented by Momentum as the Goose Island Turkey Trot. The 8K race will be held in Lincoln Park at 9 a.m. and the organizers expect as many as 4,500 participants. The cost is $20 or $25 on raceday, and the top five male and female finishers in the 8K will be awarded gift certificates. The Plymouth Rock Ramble for kids ages 2-14 goes off at 10 a.m.

Other Chicago area races on Thanksgiving morning include the Naperville Noon Lions 5K in Naperville, the Tall Trees Turkey Trot in Glenview, the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot in Elmhurst, and the Edison Park Turkey Trot and the St. Pat's Turkey Trot in Chicago.

In central Illinois, Bloomington and Oglesby will host turkey trots.

Other Regional Turkey Trots:
11/25 Drumstick Dash, Indianapolis, IN
11/14 Ann Arbor Turkey Trot, Dexter, MI
11/25 Lansing Turkeyman Trot, Lansing, MI
11/25 Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Detroit, MI
11/20 La Crosse Turkey Trot, La Cross, WI
11/20 Titletown Turkey Trot, Green Bay, WI
11/25 Mayor's Turkey Day Run, Kenosha, WI
11/25 The Turkey Trot, Prairie du Chien, WI
11/25 Thanksgiving Day Run, Sheboygan, WI

For more event information, click here for our searchable online calendar.