Don’t be a turkey—sign up for a local race to raise proceeds for nonprofits or get in some good exercise before those Thanksgiving turkey trot races come around. Plus, the whole family can join with 1-mile fun runs, custom T-shirts and more.
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10th Annual Jack T. Farrar “Fill the Shoes” 5K
Saturday, Nov. 2, 8-10 a.m.
Join members of the community to create a sense of hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The race will honor and remember those who were lost to pancreatic cancer, help lift up survivors and promote cancer research, awareness and education. All proceeds benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. // Hayfield Park: 7611 Hayfield Road, Alexandria; $35
Family Fun Cow Run 5K, 1M and Cow Chase
Saturday, Nov. 2, 8- 11 a.m.
Love Chick-Fil-A? This race is for you. Proceeds from each race will benefit Battlefield Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the organization’s weekly influence on more than 4,000 athletes and coaches in the area. The Cow Chase is a short, fun race for children 5 years or younger to follow the Chick-Fil-A mascot, and the 1-mile race is for participants 12 years or younger. // River Club Church: 10835 Tidewater Triangle, Fredericksburg; $35
DC Dash 5K
Saturday, Nov. 2, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
It may be called the DC Dash, but this Arlington 5K actually takes runners from the Columbia Island Marina to the Mount Vernon trail and raises money for the Kids Chance of Virginia, a nonprofit dedicated to offering post-secondary and trade school scholarships to the children of Virginia workers who have been severely or fatally injured in a workplace accident. // Columbia Island Marina: George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington; $20
Quarry Crusher Run Virginia
Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-noon
“Get to the bottom of it!” At the Vulcan Materials Manassas Quarry, participants will race approximately 3.7 miles (or 7.4 miles for the “double crusher”) to the bottom of the quarry, and all the way back up. If you’re looking for a challenge, adventure and the opportunity to see quarry landscapes up close , this race is for you. // Vulcan Materials Company: 8820 Rixlew Lane, Manassas; $40
Ben’s Chili Bowl Half and Half
Saturday, Nov. 9, 8 a.m.-noon
Forget stopping at the water station or grabbing a banana, this half-and-half marathon is for runners (and foodies!) who will stop at 6.55 miles to eat a half smoked sandwich with chili, mustard and onions. Once you show your clean basket to a volunteer, you’re able to tackle the remaining 6.55 miles to the finish line. // Ben’s Chili Bowl: 1725 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; $55
Veteran’s Day 5K
Sunday, Nov. 10, 8-10 a.m.
Honor all U.S. service members with the Veterans Day 5K, and make sure to register with what branch you and your family represent. This race offers bragging rights! Plus, every participant will get a T-shirt and finisher’s medal, with awards given to the top finishers in a variety of age groups. For the kids, there is also a 1K Fun Run. // Fairfax Corner: 11895 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax; $30-$40
Birds & Birdies 6K
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m.
Take the scenic route for this 6K through Pinecrest Golf Course along the Audubon-sanctioned course (a certified course that protects and preserves the natural heritage of the game of golf, as well as the areas it is played). This course is home to a variety of native flowers and bird species, making this a one-of-a-kind race in Virginia. All finishers will receive a T-shirt, goody bag and medal. // Pinecrest Golf Course: 6600 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria; $35
2019 Sprout 5K
Sunday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.
With a race through the Broadlands community of Ashburn, all proceeds benefit Sprout, an equestrian therapeutic riding and education center in Aldie. The center provides physical, cognitive, social and emotional programming for individuals with a wide variety of diagnoses including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and more. Awards will be given to top finishers and the ceremony will take place after the race concludes with the last finisher. // Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm: 42920 Broadlands Blvd., Ashburn; $20-$30
Spend Yourself 5K/3K
Saturday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m.
This out-and-back race takes participants through a flat portion of the W&OD Trail and raises money to feed the hungry in Falls Church. There will be a turnaround point for 3K racers, and supporters along the way to keep you motivated straight to the finish line. // Columbia Baptist Church: 103 W. Columbia St., Falls Church; 8-10 a.m.; $35
17th Annual Freeze Your Gizzard 5K
Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m.
Celebrate Thanksgiving early with this race and you could potentially win a turkey. The race makes its way through Ida Lee’s 138-acre park on a cross-country style trail, and gathers hundreds of canned food for the Loudoun Hunger Relief Food Bank each year. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers in a variety of age groups, and even the best-themed costume will go home with an award. // Ida Lee Park Recreation Center: 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg; $25