Thanksgiving Day Runs on Long Island

Turkey trots and Turkey races abound on Thanksgiving Day morning. If you are not trapped in the kitchen waiting for the turkey to cook, or if you are but want the rest of the family out from under foot, a morning Turkey Trot may be just the thing. And if Thanksgiving Day was just too hectic to add a race, you can always try a refreshing dip in Gardiners Bay on Saturday. Brrrr!

Here is a list of Long Island Turkey Trots that include a shorter Family Fun Run:

Thanksgiving Day Races, November 22, 2012

36th Montauk Turkey Day Run for Fun
Montauk Circle
Montauk
The 3 mile and 6 mile races start at 10am in rain, shine or snow. Racers must check in from 8–9:30am. You can pre-register for $8 from 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday at the East Hampton Parks & Recreation Dept, 159 Pantigo Road, East Hampton or the Montauk Playhouse on 240 Edegemere Street. Day of Race registration is $10. Same Day registration will be held at the Montauk Chamber of Commerce at 742 Montauk Highway between 8–9:30am, no later.  Water will be available. The first 300 registrants will receive T-shirts.  Information and printable registration form are online or you can call 631-324-2417

Mattituck-Cutchogue Teachers' Association
7th Annual Turkey Trot
Mattituck High School
Main Rd
Mattituck
This 5K race/walk is open to all ages and begins at 9am.  Registration is adults $20 and students $10 before the race and increases by $5 for same day registration. Same day registration opens at 7:45–8:45am. Tee shirts will be given to the first 300 registrants. Print out the online registration form or for more information call 631-298-4242

32nd Shoreham-Wading River Thanksgiving Day Races
Miller Avenue School
Miller Avenue
Shoreham
The 1 mile Fun Run for children ages 12 and under starts at 8:15am. The Fun Run for children ages 13 and over starts at 8am. T-shirts will be given to all pre-registrants and to day of race registrants as available. There is also a 5K "No Ashley Hill" race at 8am and a 5 mile Challenge Race at 8:50am. Pre-registration is $15. Same day registration is $20 and begins at 7am. Proceeds go to the Senior Scholarship Fund. Download and print the registration form or for more information call 631-821-8116

5th Annual Smiles Change Lives Turkey Trot
Corey Beach Park
Corey Avenue & Middle Road
Blue Point
The 1.5 mile Kids' Fun Run for children ages 10 and under starts at 8:45am at the south end of Corey Avenue. Turkey headbands will be given to all participants. Winners will receive prizes. They also hold a 5K Run and a 1.5 mile Walk that both start at 9am. There will NOT be same day registration this year.  Registration fee for the kid's Fun Run is $15.  Fees for the 5K and Walk are both $30. Register online or for more information call 631-289-3990

Massapequa Turkey Trot - CANCELED

5th Annual Nissequogue River State Park Turkey Trot
799 St. Johnland Rd.
Kings Park
The 1K Turkey Trot for Kids ages 12 and under starts at 8:30am. Registration is $10 same day or online (plus a $1 service charge). All children will receive a ribbon and T-shirts will be given to all pre-registered participants. Parental supervision is mandatory. There is also a 5K walk and run starting at 9am. Registration for the 5K is $20.  All proceeds go to benefit the park. Register online or for more information call 631-848-8587 

Huntington Turkey Trot
American Legion Post 360
Mill Dam Road at Rte 110
Halesite
The Fun Run begins at 8:30am and registration is $6 online or same day. There is also a 4 mile race at 9am ($25 pre-registration or $30 day of race.) T-shirts will be given to the first 1,800 pre-registrants to pick up their numbers. This popular event often has more than 1000 registrants and benefits the Townwide Fund of Huntington.  Register online or for more information call 631-549-3006

1st Annual YMCA of Long Island Bay Shore Turkey Trot
Bay Shore Marina
End of Bayview Ave
Bay Shore 
There will be a 9am Fun Run and a 9:30am 5K race.  Tee Shirts will be given to the first 500 participants.  Registration is $25 in advance or $30 on race day.  Register online or for more information call 631 665-1173

Oyster Bay Turkey Trot
Oyster Bay High School
East Main Street
Oyster Bay
This is a 5K race for adults and kids age 14 and up.  Same day registration opens at 7am and the race starts at 9am and is fairly fast.  Registration through 9pm on November 20 is $22 and same day registration is $25. Register online  or for more information call 516-313-5491

Port Washington Turkey Trot
Manorhaven Beach Park
Manorhaven Blvd
Port Washington
NEW - Minimum age to enter is 9 years old
This 5K race benefits the Port Washington Community Chest and is open to children age 9 and above. There is not a younger child category this year. The race begins at 8:30am. Registration fees are adults $35, children 18 and under $25. The race is capped at 3000 entrants. Same day registration fee is $50 for adults and $25 for 18 and under, and you may sign up near the starting line. All registrants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and every attempt will be made to provide the right size. Strollers are not permitted in the race. Roads close at 8am and the parking lot at the park closes at 7:30am or when full. Online registration is open until 9pm Wednesday November 21. More information, number pickup locations and parking advice may be found here.  

34th Annual Garden City Turkey Trot
St. Paul's School
285 Stewart Avenue near Rockaway Avenue
Garden City
The 1.4 mile Fun Run starts at 9:15am. There is also a 5 mile Turkey Trot at 10am and a Challenger Division race at 8:30 am. Registration is $10 for the Fun Run and $ 25 for the 5 mile race. The Challenger race is free.  You can pick up your race t-shirts and bibs at St Pauls on Wednesday evening from 6 - 9pm.  Please consider bringing a non-perishable food donation.  This year a portion of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross to help Super Storm Sandy victims. The organizers emphasize that there will be no parking at St Pauls or on the course roads.  Plan to come early and walk in.  Complete race instructions may be found here.  Online registration

2012 Long Island City YMCA Kids Turkey Trot
32-23 Queens Blvd
Queens
Races begin at 9:00am and are divided into three age groups.  4 years and under - 100 meter race; 5 - 8 years 400 meter race; 9 - 12 years 1000 meter (1K) race. Each child will receive a medal, t-shirt, photo with the Turkey, a goodie bag and refreshments. The top three boy and girl finishers will receive trophies. There will also be a raffle. Registration is $12 per child or $35 per family of three or more children. Register online or for more information call 718-392-7932

Friday, November 23, 2012

10th Annual St. John the Baptist Run Your Turkey Off
St John the Baptist DHS
Coach David Wood
1170 Montauk Hwy
West Islip
If you can't quite face running on Thanksgiving Day itself, this may be the race for you. At  9am there is a FREE 800 meter Fun Run for kids 12 and under. Medals will be given to all children who cross the finish line. For older kids, and their parents, there is a fast, flat 4K (2.5 mile) run through the streets of Islip. Registration fees for the 4K race are $25 for adults and $20 for students if registered by Friday November 16.  Same day registration is $30. Register online or for more information call 631–587–000

and on Saturday, November 26, 2011...

Shelter Island 3rd Annual Turkey Plunge
Crescent Beach
Shore Road
Shelter Island
Dress up in your wildest attire, take a short ferry boat trip to scenic Shelter Island, and plunge headlong into the bay! Or tiptoe reluctantly into the waves and then dash out again. 10:15 - 11am sign in and Costume Award Ceremony. 11am PLUNGE!  Prizes will be given for the best costumes and refreshments will be served. You can sign up at the library ahead of time or at the beach before the Plunge. There is a $25 suggested donation and proceeds will benefit the Shelter Island Public Library.  Print out the Registration form or for more information call 631–749–0042

Happy Running, and Happy Thanksgiving!