4 ways to get active on Thanksgiving Day

A family feast complete with turkey and all the fixings … a leisurely afternoon watching football … a five-mile morning run through the streets of Miamisburg – Thanksgiving traditions vary greatly.

The Turkey Trot – which includes both a five-mile run and a one-mile fun walk/run – is one tradition that has been a Miami Valley mainstay for close to four decades.

“It’s truly a family event,” race director Gina Helmick said. “And it’s a Thanksgiving tradition for many families.”

Helmick, who ran in her first Turkey Trot 14 years ago, has seen grandparents running side-by-side with their children and grandchildren over the years.

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“We have 80- and 90-year-olds completing the race,” Helmick said. “You can walk, as well as run, or do the one-mile event.”

More than 9,000 people participated last year in what has become the Ohio River Road Runners Club’s biggest event of the year. And a five-mile run through Miamisburg might be just the thing to help rationalize that extra scoop of mashed potatoes or slice of pumpkin pie.

“You definitely feel better about what you eat,” Helmick said with a smile.

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A little extra calorie burn can’t hurt as, according to research from the Calorie Control Council, the average American can consume 3,000 calories during a typical holiday dinner. Factor in appetizers, drinks and snacking and it might mean a 4,500-calorie day –more than twice the average daily calorie intake and almost 3 ½ times the fat.

And if a run isn’t your idea of fun, there are plenty of other choices as Thanksgiving weekend is packed with fun fitness options from bowling to hikes to ice skating. Here are just a few:

39TH ANNUAL TURKEY TROT

What: 5-mile run and 1-mile fun walk/run.

When: Nov. 23, race begins at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Downtown Miamisburg

Info: http://orrrc.org/orrrc-turkey-trot/

THANKSGIVING DAY SHOOTOUT

What: 9-Pin No-Tap Tournament

When: Nov. 23, 9 a.m.

Where: Poelking Lanes, 1403 Wilmington Ave., Kettering

Info: 937-299-5573

THURSDAY HIKE AT ENGLEWOOD METROPARK

What: Get in shape with a 6-, 8-, or 10-mile hike. The full 10-mile hike will take approximately 3 hours.

When: Nov. 23, 9 a.m.

Where: Englewood MetroPark, 4361 W. National Road, Patty Shelter

Info: www.meetup.com/DaytonHikers/

ICE RINK OPENING WEEKEND

What: Skip the mall on Black Friday and lace up your skates at the MetroParks Ice Rink opening day. Weather dependent.

When: Nov. 24, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Where: RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

Info: https://www.metroparks.org/

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