Lansing Turkey Trot

The time-honored tradition of getting a head start on Thanksgiving Day calorie burning dates back to the 1890s — and it’s getting more popular every year.

More than a million people signed up to run a turkey trot last year, according to the website RunSignup. In Lansing, the annual turkey trot brings in more than 5,000 participants, according to organizers.

The 5-mile race has a flexible start line, allowing experienced runners, first-timers and families to coexist. Faster runners line up toward the front, while walkers and families start further back. Racers can start between 9 and 9:10 a.m., with their time starting when they cross the mats.

Construction on Grand Avenue has led to slight modifications in the course, but it still begins and ends at Adado Riverfront Park and takes racers through the downtown area in between.

Tickets are $35 and include a shirt while supplies last. Participants must sign up ahead of Thanksgiving at runsignup.org/Race/MI/Lansing/LansingTurkeyTrot. Proceeds benefit the Michigan Running Foundation, a DeWitt nonprofit that supports middle and high school cross-country and track programs.

There is day-of packet pickup, but runners are encouraged to do so in advance at Playmakers in Okemos from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today (Nov. 26) to avoid long lines. Day-of packet pickup begins at 7:30 a.m. at Lansing Community College’s Gannon Building.