The Abridged version:
- More than 10 fun runs will take place from now through Thanksgiving weekend.
- Many will raise money for various charities, including food banks.
- Runs take place from Davis to Cool, including East Sacramento’s Run to Feed the Hungry.
Run to Feed the Hungry, which claims to be the largest Thanksgiving fun run in the United States, will draw more than 30,000 people to East Sacramento next Thursday. It’s far from the only race to celebrate turkey day, though.
Whether you’re prepping for the California International Marathon on Dec. 7 or fitting in a brisk walk before a feast to come, these 11 Thanksgiving fun runs offer chances to get out and move. Most benefit local nonprofits, and all are still accepting registrations.
Saturday, November 22
Darrington Single Track Trail Challenge
El Dorado County
- 5K, 10K, 18 miles or 36 miles.
- Leaves from Darrington Trail Head along Folsom Lake (7288-7296 Salmon Falls Road, Pilot Hill).
- 7 a.m. start for 36-mile race, 8 a.m. for all others.
- $65-$125 based on race length. $10 discount with prior registration.
Donut Half Marathon
Downtown Sacramento
- Roughly 13.1 miles, with stops for doughnuts, coffee and beer along the way.
- Leaves from Tupi Coffee (1901 8th St., Sacramento).
- 7:30 a.m. start.
- Free. Donations benefit Girls on the Run of Greater Sacramento.
Davis Turkey Trot
- Toddler Trot 0.25 miles, 0.5 miles (for kids), 1 mile, 2 miles, 5K, 10K or half-marathon.
- Leaves from Civic Center Park (615 B St., Davis).
- 7:50-10:30 a.m. start based on race length.
- $24.32-$88.98 based on race length. Proceeds benefit Yolo County SPCA and Cancer Champions.
Sunday, November 23
MandaRUN
Loomis and Auburn
- 5K or half-marathon.
- 5K leaves from the Loomis Train Depot (5775 Horseshoe Bar Road, Loomis). Half-marathon leaves from Placer High School (275 Orange St., Auburn).
- 8 a.m. start for half-marathon, 9 a.m. start for 5K.
- $34.09 for children’s 5K, $50.14 for adults’ 5K and $103.63 for half-marathon. Proceeds benefit the Loomis Basin Education Foundation.
Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)
Run to Feed the Hungry
East Sacramento
- 5K or 10K.
- Leaves from Sacramento State west campus entrance (6000 J St., Sacramento).
- 8:15 a.m. start for 10K, 9 a.m. start for 5K.
- $28.03 for children, $49.76 for adults. Prices increase by about $3 on Thanksgiving. Proceeds benefit Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
Elk Grove Gobble Wobble
- 0.25 miles (kids) or 5K.
- Leaves from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s
Division of Health Care Services building (8280 Longleaf Drive, Elk Grove) - 9 a.m. start for 0.25 mile kids race, 9:10 a.m. start for 5K.
- $10 for kids, $50 for adults. Proceeds benefit Chicks In Crisis.
Woodland Turkey Trot
- 1K (kids), 5K or 10K.
- Leaves from Woodland Community and Senior Center (2001 East St., Woodland).
- 8 a.m. start for 10K, 8:10 a.m. start for 5K, 8:20 a.m. start for 1K.
- $48.70. Prices increase after Nov. 23. Proceeds benefit the Yolo Food Bank.
Folsom Turkey Trot
- 5K or 10K.
- Leaves from Digger and Sharon Williams Rodeo Park (200 Stafford St., Folsom).
- 8:50 a.m. start for 10K, 9 a.m. start for 5K.
- $41. Proceeds benefit the Twin Lakes Food Bank, Youth Assistance Program and Johnny Cash Trail.
Wild Turkey Trot
Granite Bay
- 1K (kids), 5K or 10K.
- Leaves from Beals Point (9704 Auburn Folsom Road, Granite Bay).
- 9 a.m. start for 10K, 9:15 a.m. start for 5K.
- $48.70 for 5K, $54 for 10K, $32.80 for racers 13 and under in both cases. Kids free for 1K race. Proceeds benefit Folsom’s Hope.
Walk to Stock the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet
- 5K or 10K.
- Leaves from Auburn Central Square (940-948 Lincoln Way, Auburn).
- 9 a.m. start.
- Free. Donations benefit the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet.
Run Hunger Off the Divide
El Dorado County
- 5K or 10K.
- Leaves from Northside Elementary School (860 Cave Valley Road, Cool).
- 9 a.m. start.
- $35, or $45 after Nov. 24. Proceeds benefit local food banks.
Benjy Egel is the senior food editor at Abridged. Born and raised in the Sacramento region, he has covered its local restaurants and bars since 2018. He also writes and edits Abridged’s weekly food and drink newsletter, City of Treats.