Roundup: November Road Races

Road race image via shutterstock

Its November already? The World Series is ours again, the holiday flavored coffee is back, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and the leaves are falling. It’s perfect running weather. Keep in shape and raise awareness for good causes this month with these local races. At the finish line of some, you’ll be handed a beer, and at the finish line of others, you might see an inflatable body part. Check out all of the possibilities below. 

November Project Scene Be Seen 

The November Project’s glow-in-the-dark #SceneBeSeen 2.5 mile race will take you in a glowing loop around South Boston. Get your “scene” together and dress up in blinkies, glow sticks, and glow-in-the-dark paint and leave your opponents eating neon as you race by. You can register online for $0 and pick up your bib and timer chip at the Park Street MBTA station on Tremont Street the day of the race. On the other side of the finish line, party the night away with a special 21+ party in the Seaport District.

11/24. Race begins at 6:30 p.m. The flagpole near the beach in Marine Park, on Farragut Road, South Boston. To register visit november-project.com. 

15th Annual Marathon Sports Hingham Turkey Trot   

Yet another Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day, if Hingham is closer to home. For almost two decades, Marathon Sports has sponsored this race, whose proceeds go to Hingham High’s cross country team. Head out as a family before Thanksgiving dinner begins and take a run. There’s a 5k event, a 5k for runners under 18, and a 5k walk, and all top finishers receive prizes.

11/30. Registration begins at 6 a.m. Race begins at 7:30 a.m. 17 Union Street, Hingham. To register visit hinghamturkeytrot.com. 

2nd Annual Plymouth Turkey Trot 

Take a step back in time and run alongside historic American landmarks in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving day. What better way to celebrate this holiday than by visiting where it all began? Starting at Plymouth Rock itself, you can run, jog, or walk this course and then head home for a turkey. With your registration, you can include a donation that goes toward the Boy Scouts of America and the National Trail Days conservation group for continued appreciation and preservation of America’s historic landmarks.

11/28. Race begins at 7:45 a.m. Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Memorial State Park, Plymouth. To register visit runsignup.com. 

Franklin Park Turkey Trot

Franklin Park has been home to many different races over the years, but this year, they’re launching their very own Thanksgiving day trot. Feel better about the calories you’ll be gobbling down that night by walking or running the famous Emerald Necklace with your fellow Bostonians. The course is a little more than 3 miles and the scenic views will make for a picturesque beginning to your holiday.

11/28. Race begins at 9 a.m. Franklin Park Clubhouse, 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester. To register visit franklinparkcoalition.org. 

Marathon Sports 17th Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble 4 Miler

For those of you who really want to preemptively burn off your Thanksgiving mashed potatoes, head out to Davis Square and run in the 4 mile Gobble Gobble Gobble. Voted one of the top 100 New England races for ten consecutive years, this race is fast and flat with no pomp and circumstance before or after so you can get home to your turkey quickly. The first 220 entries get a free T-shirt and there is not walk-up registration. Early bib pickup will be available the week before the race at Marathon Sports in Cambridge during normal store hours.

11/28. Race begins at 9 a.m. Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates parking garage, 40 Holland Street, Davis Square, Somerville. To register visit srr.org. 

2nd Annual Run Your Turkey Off   

There are no pretenses with this race. You’re invited to join Bourne High School’s cross country team in sweating out all those extra Thanksgiving calories. This race is sponsored by Bay State Runner and South Shore Race Management and will feature awards for the top finishers in all age groups. Proceeds benefit the Bourne cross country team.

11/30. Race begins at 10 a.m. Bourne High School, 75 Waterhouse Road, Bourne. To register visit southshoremanagement.com. 

The Ugly Sweater Run  

Just a few days after Thanksgiving, just as you’ve finished the leftovers, get back on your feet and start looking toward Christmas with the original Ugly Sweater Run. Sponsored by Toys for Tots and Sam Adams — participants over 21 get their choice of Sam Adams Winter Lager, Boston Lager, or Angry Orchard Hard Cider at the finish line — its a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Rummage out that old light-up, singing, fuzzy sweater you’ve never had the pleasure of wearing and run or walk this Somerville 5k.

11/30. Race begins at 11 a.m. East End Grille, 118 Broadway Street, Somerville. To register visit theuglysweaterrun.com.