The Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot is a running community tradition!

It's a great hedge against stuffing yourself later in the day, the festive way bridge the gap from morning coffee to football & feasting. There's good cheer, costumes and plenty of competitive spirit for those inclined to run hard from the gun.

Here's our guide to the best San Diego area Turkey Trots.

Encinitas Turkey Trot

Date: November 23, 2017
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Distance: 5k, 10k
Race size: 4,500

Hit the alarm, stretch and get out the door! Mornings along the Pacific coast at Encinitas in late November bring an amazing color to the Pacific Ocean. The waves greet Turkey Trot runners with this unique view while they enjoy a 5k or 10k run down the coast.

> Learn more about the Encinitas Turkey Trot...

San Diego South Bay Turkey Trot

Date: November 23, 2017
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Distance: 5k, 10k, 15k
Race size: 750

Run like a beast before you feast! Take your choice of 3 race distances. The 5k offers a flat, fast course worthy of a PR, while the 10k and hilly 15k offer more challenging terrain. A good time is guaranteed for all on Thanksgiving morning.

> Learn more about the San Diego South Bay Turkey Trot...

O'side Turkey Trot

Date: November 23, 2017
Time: 6:55 a.m.
Distance: 5k, 10k
Race size: 7,500

Runner's World calls this one of the country's best Trots. Join the festive throng at the Oceanside Civic Center just north of San Diego. Run the USATF certified course bright & early - the 10k starts at 6:55! The 5k and kid's races come later in the morning.

> Learn more about the O'side Turkey Trot...

Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K

Date: November 23, 2017
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Distance: 5k
Race size: 7,500

This is San Diego's biggest Turkey Trot, held in Balboa Park. Proceeds from this event will go towards helping Father Joe's Villages prepare and serve close to one million meals to homeless neighbors in need.

> Learn more about the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5k...

San Diego Run For the Hungry

Date: November 23, 2017
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Distance: 5k, 10k
Race size: 2,000

Come to the Westin Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego for this Thanksgiving morning run through the historic Gaslamp District. This one's for you dog lovers out there, as the pooch of the house is welcome to run too! Proceeds are donated to the San Diego Food Bank and other programs to feed the hungry.

> Learn more about the San Diego Run for the Hungry...

Thanksgiving Day Thank You Run

Date: November 23, 2017
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Distances: 5k, 1k
Race size: 800

This low-key event takes place at Ranch Community Park in San Diego with a chip-timed 5k run and a 1k fun run for children 8 and under. Everybody gets medals and those 21 and over get a post-race beer.

> Learn more about the Thanksgiving Day Thank You Run...

Looking for More Races?

Already familiar with these races? Go to www.runguides.com/san-diego/runs to view our full calendar of races happening in and around San Diego during the year.