8 Syracuse Turkey Trots (plus 1 Ugly Sweater 5K): Run up an appetite at these CNY Thanksgiving races

Looking for a fun holiday workout, or a family event to get your appetite up for Thanksgiving Dinner?
The Central New York running scene offers eight popular races on Thursday morning, before you tuck into the turkey.
If you miss those, there’s always the Syracuse Ugly Sweater 5K on Saturday, which awards prizes for the best, funniest and weirdest holiday outfits each year.
The 11th annual Liverpool Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Onondaga Lake Park, 6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool. The kids’ race starts at 8:15 and the 5K and five-mile runs start an hour later.
In 11 years’ time, the annual Liverpool Turkey Trot has grown from 124 runners to 2,100. Last year, the run raised over $26,000 for the local community multiple local charities including the Food Bank of CNY, Recycle-A-Bull Bully Breed Rescue and Corcoran Football.
The 5-mile run is $45, the 5K is $40, kids’ run is $10, and dog walk is $15. Virtual events are $40. The starting line is at the Griffin Visitor Center at Onondaga Lake Park. To register, visit liverpoolturkeytrot.com.
The 56th annual Baldwinsville Kiwanis Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. at C.W. Baker High School, 29 East Oneida St.
Organizers expect roughly 2,000 runners to participate. It’s the oldest ongoing turkey trot in Central New York.
Proceeds will benefit the Baldwinsville Kiwanis Club. Online registration closed on Sunday, but you can still register in person at Packet Pick Up on Thursday morning. It’s $35 for the 5K and $40 to run the 10K. For more, see runsignup.com.
The Cortland Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, at the Cortland YMCA, 22 Tompkins St., Cortland. This is part of the Cortland YMCA race series. Registration is $30 per person.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cortland Salvation Army. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Cortland Salvation Army Food Pantry. For more info, see cortlandymca.org.
The 15th annual F-M Turkey Trot starts at 10 a.m. at the Fayetteville-Manlius High School track. Trot, run or walk on the F-M cross country trails. There are no timing chips, just pre-feast calorie burning fun.
This event has a 4K, 8K and kids run. The first 500 registrants receive a commemorative T-shirt. Registration is $25 per person. Sponsored by the F-M All Sports Booster Club. For more info, visit runsignup.com.
The 16th annual Jordan Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. at Jordan Masonic Lodge, North Main St., Jordan. Features a 5K and 1 mile walk. To register, bring a canned good for the Jordan Elbridge Food Pantry at 8:30 a.m. For more information, email [email protected].
Schiller Park in Syracuse will host a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot where attendees can walk or run a marked trail starting at 10 a.m. on 112 Whitwell St., Syracuse. Awards and light refreshments will follow the “trot” alongside a raffle drawing at 11 a.m. Participants are encouraged to donate “free will” cash or check to Friends of Schiller Park Inc. Free registration.
The Skaneateles Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. at Clift Park (front of the Sherwood Inn) in downtown Skaneateles. The course is almost a 5K. Cash donations are accepted to support the local food pantry. For more information, call the Skaneateles Chamber at (315) 685-0552.
The 13th annual Tully Free Library Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. Thursday. This year’s race starts and finishes this year at the Tully United Community Church. Register for $25 online or $25 in person. Proceeds benefit the Tully Free Library. For more, see tullyfreelibrary.org.
The 10th annual Syracuse Ugly Sweater 5K starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. At packet pickup, all race registrants can receive an ugly sweater of their choosing and a logo winter headband. All runners are encouraged to wear an ugly sweater for the race.
Prizes are awards for best ugly sweater, most creative ugly sweater and funniest ugly sweater. All participants will receive a finisher medal. Registration starts at $30 online. A portion of the proceeds and all donations will go to the Syracuse Rescue Mission. For more, see runsignup.com.