Are You Trotting this Turkey Day?

Turkey Day is fast approaching but, for local runners, it's not all about stuffing, fixings and football.

Participants who have signed up and are ready to race will run the 11th Annual Turkey Trot in Palos Park on Thursday.

Starting time is set for 8 a.m. And, if the weather holds, it'll shape up to be a decent day. The National Weather Services says Thanksgiving will be mostly sunny with a high of 61.

Mel Diab, the owner of Running for Kicks in Palos Heights, organizes the Trot. He's also the driving spirit behind the First Midwest Bank Half Marathon and one of the many people who care deeply for the Palos community.

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Turkey Trot is more than just a race. Entrants, along with a registration view, had to hand over two canned goods. Proceeds from the Trot, including the collected cans, go to the Worth Food Pantry. More than 10,000 cans and $2,000 were turned over to the pantry last year.

Thirteen hundreds runners are registered. The four-mile course takes people through the lovely streets of Palos Park. Trophies are given out for the top three male and female runners in each age category.

Sorry to any late comers, though. There's no race day registration.

There is a post-race party and it's expected to be a big one, with raffles for shoes and clothing.

The Turkey Trot is located 8901 w. 123rd St. Parking is available at the Palos Park Metra parking lot, 123rd & 82nd Ave.

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