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[title]We’re not sure about you, but just the thought of gobbling down all that turkey, wine and white-trash green-bean casserole on Thanksgiving leaves us a little bloated. This year, we are promising to burn a few calories before the carnage begins, and we hope you’re planning to do the same. We’ve got you covered with a roundup of all the turkey-day trots—even if you have to head to suburbia to visit Ma.
Addison Turkey Trot
Come the closest to predicting your finish time and you could bag a bird. Community Recreation Center, 120 E Oak St, Addison (contact Samantha Lusting at 630-889-2150, www.addisonparkdistrict.org). $5, per family $10. 9:45am.
Bonfield Express 5K
We can see why this is one of the more popular trots around. Door prizes, medals, coffee, pastries, hot chocolate, massages and Jack-FM are all planned for the more than 2,000 runners expected. Curtis and Washington Sts, Downers Grove (contact the Bonfield Express Foundation at 630-810-0166, www.bonfieldexpress.com). Advance $25, day of race $30. 8:30am.
Chicago Turkey Trot
It’s another chance to help out those less fortunate, with organizers collecting canned goods from race participants. Lincoln Park, Cannon Dr and Fullerton Pkwy (contact Capri Events at 773-404-2372, www.caprievents.com). Bus: 77 (24 hrs), 151 (24 hrs), 156. Advance $30, Plymouth Rock Ramble $12, day of race $35, Plymouth Rock Ramble $15. 9am.
Jon Gallaghan Memorial Turkey Trot
Started back in 1993 by a handful of Gurnee’s finest to benefit an ill comrade, the race now benefits a host of charities, including Chicago Children’s Memorial Hospital. 4580 Grand Ave, Gurnee (847-599-7000, www.gurneeturkeytrot.org). $25, until Nov 20 $20. 8am.
Mount Prospect Turkey Trot
As American as apple pie, the MP Jaycees have been putting on this race for 43 years now, with proceeds going to everyone from the Boy Scouts to the senior center. Mount Prospect Golf Course, 600 See Gwun, Mount Prospect (847-788-1002, jspapperi@mountprospectjaycees.com). $12, kids 14 and under $5. 9:15am.
Naperville Noon Lions 5K Turkey Trot
The western ’burbs get into the act with a scenic run through Naperville parks. Chip timers will put an end to the mealtime bickering of whether Uncle Lance really beat your time. Naperville Central High School, 440 W Aurora Ave, Naperville (www.napervilleturkeytrot.com). Advance $25, day of race $30. 8am.
Palatine Turkey Trot
These cheeky li’l bastards are hoping to entice the pint-size portly set to finally turn off the X-Box with something called the “Drumstick Dash.” Sadly, no drumsticks will be awarded. Harper College, 1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine (847-991-0333, www.palatineparks.org). Advance $25, day of race $30. 8am.
Poultry Predictor
Organizers are promising to give away more than a pet shop’s worth of birds to anyone who can correctly guess when the first heart attack will happen, or to those who can correctly guess their time. We’re not clear on which one. Pilcher Park Nature Center, Gougar Rd near Rte 30 on Highland Park Dr, Joliet (contact Dave Cyplick at 815-725-0161, www.psrr.org). 1-mile race $2 by Nov 18, $3 on Nov 23; 4-mile race $6 by Nov 18, $8 on Nov 23. 8:40am.
Running for Kicks Turkey Trot
Once again, organizers get it right with proceeds from this trot going to the Worth Food Pantry. Protecting yourself against the chill of Palos Park should be a breeze, as everyone gets a hoodie. 8999 W 123rd St, Palos Park (708-448-9200, www.runningforkicks.com). $30 plus two cans of food. 8am.
Edison Park Turkey Trot 5K
Be a do-gooder while feeling good, as proceeds from this popular annual go to the New Horizon Center for the Developmentally Disabled. Edison Park Fieldhouse, 6755 N Northwest Hwy at Ottawa Ave (773-792-9005, www.epturkeytrot.homestead.com). Bus: 68 Northwest Highway. Advance $15, day of race $20. 9:30am.