Turkey trots in North County

The idea of exercising before indulging in a Thanksgiving feast seems increasingly popular and the number of Turkey Trots is growing. Here are some taking place in North County, starting Wednesday:

DEL MAR

A Family Mile Fun Run takes off Thanksgiving Day at the Del Mar Race Track, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. The event is from 7 to 9:30 a.m. with run starting at 8 a.m. and benefits the Helen Woodward Animal Center and its equestrian therapy program for children and adults with special needs. Pre-race activities start at 7 a.m. and include games and prizes for kids, face painting, entertainers, holiday arts and crafts, and animals from the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Participants are encouraged to come in costume and enter the costume contest. Following the 8 a.m. Fun Run, the center will hold puppy races and the pups will be available for adoption the following day.

ENCINITAS

Encinitas Turkey Trot with 10K race and 5K Fun Run/Walk/Costume Contest starts at 7 a.m. Thanksgiving Day under the Encinitas overhead welcome sign on Coast Highway downtown. Registration begins at 6 a.m. Pre-registration is recommended. The event supports Encinitas Community Resource Center and the Thanksgiving Meals in a Basket Program through Encinitas American Legion Post 416. Registration costs $46-$56. Visit encinitasturkeytrot.org.

FALLBROOK

Fallbrook’s annual Holiday Tradition Turkey Trot with 5K stroll, walk or run takes off at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, with registration starting at 7 a.m. at Grand Tradition Estates & Gardens and trotting through Los Jilgueros Preserve. The trot is a fundraiser hosted by the Fallbrook Village Rotary Club to benefit local charities. Registration is $40-$45 per person. Visit fallbrookturkeytrot.com.

OCEANSIDE

The 12th annual Pacific Marine Credit Union O’side Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day offers a range of distances, including 10K/5K runs, 5K walk and 1-mile or quarter-mile runs for children. The first wave of runners takes off at 6:55 a.m. and the last one takes off at 11 a.m. from the Oceanside Civic Center, 330 N. Coast Highway. Registration begins at 6 a.m. at the Civic Center parking structure. Cost is $25 to $50. Registration expos are from 3 to 6: 30 p.m. Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, and 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Junior Seau Beach Community Center and Pier Amphitheatre. Visit osideturkeytrot.com.

Turkey Trot for seniors: Tri-City Medical Center’s Senior Mile and 400m Run/Walk with the theme, “Push or Be Pushed,” is Wednesday, with the first wave of runners taking off at 9 a.m. and the last at 10 a.m. A Registration Expo is from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheatre, 200 N. Strand in Oceanside. 1 Mile Run Awards go to the top three in each five-year age group 65 years and older. Cost is $30. Advance registration is recommended. For registration and information, visit osideturkeytrot.com/senior-mile.