As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie, runners across the country are raising money for those less fortunate so they can enjoy a good Thanksgiving meal. These traditional marathons are often called “turkey trots” and are held on Thanksgiving Day or Thanksgiving weekend.
Sometimes the events are a fundraising marathon for a local food bank or charity, or sometimes they are a fundraiser for a particular person or group of people. The entry fees go to the fundraising cause, and that can really add up. A church marathon team recently raised $500,000 for 2 villages in Zambia so they could have clean water.
If you can’t pay the entry fee for a marathon, or you’re not a runner, volunteer your time. Races always need volunteers to give out water at the water stations or other tasks on race day.
And if you can’t volunteer at the race, at least volunteer your time in other easy this holiday season. Visit a patient in the hospital. Bring something they would appreciate, like books, toys for kids, or special treats. Visit someone in a nursing home.
If you’re a runner, are you going to be entering any marathons that give to charity this year?