FINDING THE PERFECT FALL 2019 RACE, INCLUDING A THANKSGIVING TURKEY TROT

Park picnic tables stacked up for the winter; indoor dinners are perfect for November. Taken by PKSenagore Thanksgiving Day 2017. All rights reserved.

Updated from 2018: IF TRAVELING FOR THANKSGIVING DO YOU WANT TO FIND A TURKEY TROT WALK/RUN FOR WHICH TO REGISTER BEFORE ALL THE T-SHIRTS ARE GONE? Or are you staying home and want to find the best in the region, because family and friends will want to join the fun? There are more scenarios that could describe your situation if it involves finding an event in the future, like coming up in November, or this very next weekend.
 
You could seek the advice of a runner, walker, or cyclist* in the area.  Or visit the local running/cycling specialty store and search for flyers that advertise upcoming events. Most of us would simply search online with basic terms identifying the town, event type, distance, and date. 
 
However, here are a few other searchable options that I tested for one specific date November 28 or by entering terms “Thanksgiving Day races” or “Turkey Trot”.  I gave each my best effort at searching, only looking to identify foot races, but some sites listed additional sport events.  Keep in mind that your search skills may surpass mine, and the specific site will be of greater help to you than indicated by my comments. 
 
The idea is that if you try hard, there might be just the perfect event for your purpose in the location, and on the date, that is desired.
 
1. EARNED RUNS competition bibs are, of course, PERFECT for designing/creating a custom event in exactly the location of your choosing!!! Request them at any time. You will receive 4.
http://www.earned-runs.com/request-bibscontact.html
 
2. Event finder sites:
USA Track and Field “Events Calendar”
http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar.aspx
 
Running in the USA
https://www.runningintheusa.com/race/overview
 
Race-find
https://race-find.com/races
 
3. Race management company sites:
https://runsignup.com/Races
Very good
 
https://localraces.com
Okay
 
https://www.active.com/running
Limited races and locations searching by date; many more when “turkey trot” is used as search term
 
https://www.eventbrite.ca/
Not easy to use; not well organized by location or date
 
https://search.events.com
Not many events; not well organized by location or date
 
https://hub.enmotive.com/events
Not many events
 
4. Specialty store websites (there are, of course, many others; I chose two as examples)
Examples:
https://gazellesports.com/pages/events
Only company sponsored events were listed
 
http://www.fleetfeetchicago.com/races
Company site posted the “Chicagoland and Beyond” local race calendar
 
5. Local YMCA websites (there are, of course, many others; I chose two as examples) 
Example:
‘Y’ Races in Maryland
https://ymdturkeytrot.org/
First ever Thanksgiving race, contested in Buffalo NY 1896! This year‘s 8k marks the 124th annual event. https://www.ymcabuffaloniagara.org/annual-events/ymca-turkey-trot/
 
6. Phone apps
Kukimbe.com
http://www.kukimbe.com/
Not that easy to use. To swipe to get through many events was time consuming. Limited locations to search. Other apps claim to serve this purpose like Race Finder by LocalRaces.com.
 
7. Miscellaneous
BibRave.com race review/rating service
https://www.bibrave.com/search
A race will only be listed if it has been submitted for review. But this may be of help if the race you decide upon is popular and registration closes quickly.

Best to plan early to get reduced,early bird event pricing and be eligible for a t-shirt.

RUN & MOVE HAPPY!