Thanksgiving is full of traditions. The turkey, the pie, the stuffing, and the stuffing of bellies are all synonymous with Thanksgiving. Thankfully a growing tradition of Thanksgiving Day foot races is sweeping the country. More and more feasters are burning those calories before the tryptophan takes over and they become overfed couch dwellers for the afternoon.
Here are some of the best turkey day races the nation has to offer. Start a new tradition with your family and get a run in before you gobble.
1. 116th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot Buffalo, NY
Be a part of American history with this race. This is the oldest continually running footrace in North America, it’s even older than the Boston Marathon.
The 8K race brings more than 14,000 runners out in the brisk morning air. Each runner is asked to bring 2 cans of non-perishable food, making it a huge charity opportunity as well. What a way to celebrate the holiday!
2. Manchester Road Race. Manchester, Connecticut
The Manchester Road Race began in 1927 with just twelve runners. Today the 4.748 mile race welcomes over 15,000 runners and walkers. This race is celebrating its 75th anniversary and continues to see elite runners, professionals, and Olympians every year. The race also welcomes amateurs all the way down to their “mall walker” category. This long standing race is accustom to seeing running superstars like nine-time champ Amby Burfoot toe the line. The historic course and the supportive crowds are what have kept this race in business for so many years.
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December is possibly one of the most hectic months of the year. Perhaps that’s why the country offers fewer marathons in December than any other month of the year. However, what the offering lacks in quantity, it more than makes up in quality. Some of the best and most popular marathons of the entire year take place in December. What a fantastic way to kick off the month of non-stop celebrating than by running 26.2 miles?!
1. The Las Vegas Marathon “Strip at Night” December 4, 2011.
The Las Vegas Marathon is part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series. This race has had instant popularity as the course is noted for being flat and festive. A recent change has really upped the ante, though. The race starts at 4:00 pm so that runners will take on the famous lights of the Las Vegas Strip at night.
The race time adds some unique changes to traditional marathon weekends. There’s a race day brunch in addition to a pasta dinner the night before. Instead of a post-race concert, Cheap Trick will be headlining the pre-race party. And since the runners will be finishing at night, the post-race party will be at Vegas’s premiere hot spots: XS Nightclub at Encore and LAVO at the Palazzo.
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The Susan G. Komen foundation is gearing up for another fantastic year of fund raising through The Race for the Cure Series. This series of 5K runs and fitness walks contribute to the world’s largest and most successful education and fund raising event for breast cancer.
Since 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure events have celebrated survivors, honored those who have lost their battles, and raised awareness about breast cancer. The event started in 1983 with one race and 800 people. Today, over 1.6 million people are participating on four different continents.
The Race for the Cure Series includes options for all fitness levels.
Competitive 5Ks, non-timed 5Ks, and 1 to 2 mile walks are options at most of the events. Events often include a race for children as well. Another option for those wanting to participate, yet may not be available is the “Sleep In for the Cure.” With this option, one may donate their money and have a shirt mailed to them.
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November is another banner month for marathons in the U.S. With crisp temps and the changing of the season, many phenomenal race times are turned in during the month of November. Here are just a few of the excellent marathons taking place in November 2011.
1. ING New York City Marathon, November 6, 2011
Another member of the World Marathon Majors, New York’s marathon is an elite experience. Drawing in over 100,000 applicants each year, this historic race is huge and exciting. Elite and amateurs alike share the streets as the 26.2 miles course traverses the five boroughs that make up New York. Over 2 million fans line the course while over 315 million watch the world-wide televised event. It goes without saying that NYC is a must-run for any marathoner, however, the race fills up months in advance. Be on the look out as the lottery opens each winter for the following year.
2. Williams Route 66 Marathon, Tulsa, OK. November 20, 2011
The Route 66 Marathon is a great race ran on many portions of the original Route 66 highway. The race offers a distance for every type, even a great kid’s marathon event. While the course is in Oklahoma, a place not known for hills, there are some decent hills in this course. The event also hosts a classic car show at the finish line along with a great after party complete with a concert. The Route 66 Marathon may have the best finishers medals in the sport. Every year they seem to top the design from the previous year.
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By Rob Cohn
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. MS is an autoimmune disease and the body attacks the healthy tissue in the brain. MS may cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech or even bad memory. Some people lose their ability to walk let alone ride a bike. The unpredictability of the disease can present many challenges, including the possibility of facing increasing limitations. Anyone may develop MS but there are some patterns. Two to three times more women than men have been diagnosed with MS.
I am participating in the 2011 MS Coastal Challenge in Ventura, CA because my husband Randy has MS. Every week he has to take an injection of medicine that will hopefully slow down the progression. The side effects that he deals with every week are having symptoms of having the flu, headaches and chills. He has to take over the counter medicine to help counteract the side effects. My wish is that a CURE is found so that people like Randy can live a life without the need for these horrible side effects.
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