Thanksgiving this year falls on Thursday, Nov. 23. And whether you're starting a new family tradition, or staying true to your healthy, holiday ritual, turkey-day trots abound throughout California.

Most events are key fundraisers for community nonprofits, with several hosting costume contests and finish-line festivities.

If you opt to move your feet before you eat, scroll though Patch's annual guide to find races and fun runs near you.

Do note that not all races fall on Thanksgiving Day. And always double-check with organizers that events are proceeding as planned when posted.

Enjoy the holiday, and Happy Thanksgiving, from Patch!

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ANAHEIM:

NOV. 19: Santa Ana River Trail Turkey Trot. Run picturesque, newly paved path with views of BIG A at Angeles Stadium.

NOV. 23: 'Plymouth Rock & Run' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. Finish-line festival features costume contest, music, food & freebies.

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BELMONT SHORE:

NOV. 23: Justin Rudd Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids 'Wingding'- Beach tradition supporting Community Action Team (C.A.T.).

NOV. 25: Turkey Trot & Half Marathon, Beach Path. Laid-back event & strollers welcomed.

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BENICIA:

NOV. 23: 'Hand Up' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Costume Contests. Fundraising tradition for Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation, giving a "hand up" to patients fighting cancer.

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BIG BEAR:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Costume Contest. Family-friendly, for all ages & supports local food banks & athletic events.

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BURBANK:

NOV.: YMCA Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Canceled indefinitely due to costs & logistics.

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CLAREMONT:

NOV. 23: Sunrise Rotary Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. With costume contest, too, plus benefits Rotary Foundation's community projects.

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CONCORD:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Run For 'Loaves & Fishes Of Contra Costa' - Kids' run, for ages up to 8, sponsored by Liberty Gymnastics.

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CORONADO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot For Rady Children’s Hospital. Runners, strollers (both kinds) & walkers welcomed. Advance registration required.

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DANA POINT:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Kids 'Gobble Wobble' - Pick your distance, pack up the kids & enjoy beautiful Dana Point Harbor.

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DAVIS:

NOV. 18: Turkey Trot Run/Walk & Kids' Events. With multiple events & distances, there's something for every age group & ability.

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ENCINITAS:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Costume Contest. Starts & ends downtown under "Encinitas" sign. Supports veterans & local Boy Scouts.

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FAIRFIELD:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Solano Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. Supports Solano Hearts United, Meals on Wheels of Solano County & Salvation Army KROC Center.

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FALLBROOK:

NOV. 23: Rotary's Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Games. A real fun one where participants along the run stop for hula-hoop contest, basketball toss & more.

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FOLSOM:

NOV.23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk & 10K. Portion of proceeds go to Twin Lakes Food Bank & Never In Our Town Youth Scholarship.

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FREMONT:

NOV. 25: Quarry Lakes Turkey Trot & Kids 'Little Turkeys' Race. Costumes encouraged, walkers welcomed & supports Alameda County Community Food Bank.

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FRESNO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Costume Contest: Woodward Park. Pie for participants!

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GLEN ELLEN:

NOV. 24: Turkey Waddle Hike: Jack London State Historic Park. "The perfect antidote to a gluttonous Thanksgiving meal!"

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HEALDSBURG:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. A 5K family-friendly, fun run/walk that supports the Drew Esquivel Memorial Scholarship.

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HUNTINGTON BEACH:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving 'Turkey Wobble' 5K, 10K & Kids' Run. Raises money to drill wells & provide clean water for developing countries.

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IRVINE:

NOV. 23: Orange County Turkey Trot & Kids' Gobble Wobble. "A holiday tradition for thousands of people!" Pumpkin pie, too!

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LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE:

NOV. 23: Annual Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive. Food drive planned, too.

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LAFAYETTE:

NOV. 19: Turkey Trot Trail Run: Briones Regional Park. Organized by city of Pleasant Hill & featuring a hilly course.

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LONG BEACH:

NOV. 23: Justin Rudd Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids 'Wingding'- Beach tradition supporting Community Action Team (C.A.T.).

NOV. 25: Turkey Trot & Half Marathon, Beach Path. Laid-back event & strollers welcomed.

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LOS ANGELES:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving LA Turkey Trot, Dog Jog & Widdle Wobble For Midnight Mission. Iconic route around Grand Park, Disney Concert Hall, Broad Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art & historic Spring Street.

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MAMMOTH LAKES:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day 2K Turkey Trot. Post-race cocoa & hot cider served at this family-friendly fun run.

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MENIFEE:

NOV. 18: 'Trot For A Cause' 5K, Obstacle Course & Kids' Fun. Costume contest & canned food drive planned, too.

NOV. 23: Inland Valley Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. With food drive for Community Cupboard.

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MORAGA:

NOV. 23: Moraga Country Club Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Raises funds for Food Banks of Contra Costa & Solano Counties.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

NOV. 23: Annual MV High School Spartan Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. Proceeds benefit Mtn. View HS Athletics & supporting programs.

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NAPA:

NOV. 23: Napa Valley Thanksgiving Turkey Chase & Kids' Dash. For all ages & fitness levels, plus free, post-race beer for ages 21+.

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NORTH HOLLYWOOD:

NOV. 23: Hope Of Valley Rescue's Thanksgiving 'Drumstick Dash LA' & Lil’ Gobblers Race. Supports the rescue mission, plus event includes DJs & costume contests.

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NOVATO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Bank Of Marin Turkey Trot. Trail goes through beautiful Ignacio Valley Campus.

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OAKLAND:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Kids' Run: Lake Merritt. A 5K run/walk, plus the Oakland Zoo is sponsoring kids' "Run for Wildlife."

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OCEANSIDE:

NOV. 23: O’side Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. "Recognized as one of the Top Trots in the country ."

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PACIFIC PALISADES:

NOV. 23: Palisades Development Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. "A fun, family, community tradition dating back to 2013."

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PALM DESERT:

NOV. 23: Martha's Village Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K & Festival. Fest event includes kids' zone, arts, crafts & beer garden.

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PALM SPRINGS:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day 'Wild Turkey Trot 5K' - With lots of race-day bling, plus supports Mizell Center's Meals on Wheels Program.

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PASADENA:

NOV. 23: Rose Bowl Stadium Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Kick off the day with community spirit, while helping support preservation of the iconic venue.

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PERRIS:

NOV. 18: Moreno Valley Runners Club Annual Turkey Trot: Lake Perris Dam. Enjoy a historic course & lake views. Kids' run planned, too.

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PETALUMA:

NOV. 23: Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. No fee for this one - just make cash donations to Redwood Empire Food Bank when registering.

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PIEDMONT:

NOV. 23: Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. After 21 years, it's "a treasured event for many families, friends & neighbors."

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PLEASANT HILL:

NOV. 19: Turkey Trot Trail Run: Briones Regional Park. Organized by city of Pleasant Hill & featuring hilly course.

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PLEASANTON:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day 'Tri-Valley Turkey Burn': Sports Park. Supports Pleasanton North Rotary Foundation. Arrive early for free coffee & to design your "I AM THANKFUL FOR..." race bibs!

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RANCHO MISSION VIEJO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving 'Turkey Trot On Ranch' & Little Gobbler's Run. Benefits education & conservation of Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.

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REDLANDS:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. Proceeds benefit schools & local charities.

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ROSEVILLE:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Annual Turkey Trot. Accompanying food drive supports Saint Vincent de Paul.

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SACRAMENTO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day 'Run To Feed The Hungry' - Keepin' it festive with live bands throughout the course.

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SAINT HELENA:

NOV. 23: St. Helena Hospital Foundation AHEAD Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. With music, costume contest & raffle for pumpkin pies.

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SAN BERNARDINO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day 'Turkey Trot' Family Fun Run. Sponsored by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with a course around San Bernardino International Airport.

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SAN DIEGO:

NOV.: Thanksgiving "Thank You Run" For Helen's Closet,4S Ranch. Discontinued.

Nov. 23: Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving 'Turkey Trot': Balboa Park. Supports feeding those experiencing homelessness. Stollers & dogs welcomed.

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SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day SF Turkey Trot. Registration is full.

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SAN GABRIEL:

NOV. 18: Annual Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Kids' Run. A community tradition in its 46th year.

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SAN JOSE:

NOV. 23: Silicon Valley Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. "The largest Thanksgiving Day race in the U.S.!"

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SAN MATEO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving 'Gobble Wobble' Race, Kids' Dash & Pancake Breakfast. At Coyote Point Park & proceeds from Kids’ Dash go to Lakas Shimizu Philanthropy Fund.

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SAN PABLO:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids 'Little Turkeys' Race: Point Pinole. Spectacular views, plus playground & goodie bags for the little ones.

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SANTA BARBARA:

NOV. 18: UCSB Turkey Trot 5K / 10K Walk & Run. Course features breathtaking ocean & lagoon views.

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SANTA CLARITA:

NOV. 25: Thanksgiving 5K: Heritage Park Bike Path. This course works for walkers, beginner runners to advanced athletes.

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SANTA CRUZ:

NOV. 18: Santa Cruz Track Club Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. "A run with spectacular ocean views!"

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day 'Run For Pie' & 'Turkey Chase' Kids' Race. Pie at finish line, plus supports Second Harvest Food Bank.

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SANTA MONICA:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Half Marathon: Beach Path. Low-key walk/run on stunner, oceanfront course.

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SANTA ROSA:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K & Kids 'Tiny Turkey' - Raises money for Redwood Empire Food Bank.

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SEAL BEACH:

NOV. 18: Thanksgiving 5K, 10K & Kids 'Don't Be A Turkey' Trot. Community tradition that takes over Main Street & supports Grateful Hearts & Project SEEK.

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SIMI VALLEY:

NOV. 23: Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K. Stunner course along Arroyo Creek.

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SOQUEL:

NOV. 23: Thanksgiving Day 'Run For Pie' & 'Turkey Chase' Kids' Race. Pie at finish line, plus supports Second Harvest Food Bank.

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SOUTH EL MONTE:

NOV. 18: Thanksgiving 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot. Note the date - the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 18: Thanksgiving Fun Run. Annual community event in its 50th year.

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TOLUCA LAKE:

NOV. 23: TLHOA Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, Kids' Fun Run & Fall Festival. With inflatables, live music, food, face painting & more.

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TORRANCE:

NOV. 23: Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Fun Run. Don't forget canned goods for South Bay food drive.

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TUSTIN:

NOV. 23: Annual OC Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Raises funds for hungry & homeless of Orange County.

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UPLAND:

NOV. 23: Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. Funds support Upland High School Cross Country Team.

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VENTURA:

NOV. 23: Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. Food drive included for Ventura County Area Agency on Aging,

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WALNUT CREEK:

NOV. 23: Forma Gym Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. A community tradition & proceeds go to local schools & charities.

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AND DON'T MISS THESE RECIPES, IDEAL FOR THANKSGIVING:

• Pumpkin Pie Martini: The Perfect Thanksgiving Cocktail
• Fabulous For Fall: Creamy Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
• 'Burnt Husk Corn Salsa' Recipe: Fire Up The Grill!