Turkey trots in Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Roselle

In a pre-emptive, calorie-burning move, runners can race for a sprightly 5 kilometers in turkey trot races early Thanksgiving morning in Naperville and Roselle.

Or they can go a bit longer in Glen Ellyn's race, where the course measures 5 miles.

For those who have trouble distinguishing their yams from their sweet potatoes, that's about 3.1 miles vs. 5 miles or 5 kilometers vs. roughly 8 kilometers.

The Naperville race, presented by the Naperville Noon Lions Club, has historically drawn the largest group.

"We expect 7,700 registered runners," said Bob Hull, club president. "It's a big event. It's kind of a family tradition in Naperville. We've got moms, dads and the kids."

Hull said the race, in its 18th year, sold out a week in advance last year. It has become so popular that the city has capped the number of participants.

"It's a safety issue. The streets won't hold any more," Hull said.

The race starts at 8 a.m. Thursday at Naperville Central High School, 440 Aurora Ave. As in the past, former Mayor George Pradel will be on hand to signal the race's start.

"He's kind of a tradition," Hull said.

Hull estimates the race will generate $190,000.

"That's after all our expenses; that's our net proceeds," he said.

Hull said the Naperville Noon Lions Club will use the money to provide vision and hearing screening and prescription services to people who can't afford them on their own.

"In the last fiscal year, we supported 400 cases of kids and adults," he said.

Hull said about 350 volunteers pitch in to put the race on.

The course, which is flat asphalt, will lead southwest from the high school along West Street, turn north on Naperville/Plainfield Road, swing east on Oswego Road and finish at Naperville Central.

Hull said organizers decided to add a new twist this year by encouraging runners to dress in holiday-themed costumes. Runners, joggers and walkers are welcome to participate. Strollers are allowed but pets are not, Hull said.

Afterward, Hull said, runners will be offered a free pancake breakfast. Prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female winners and to the top three finishers in each age category.

The cost is $40 for adults, $30 for children ages 10 to 14 and $25 for children 9 and younger. Runners will each receive a long-sleeved T-shirt.

For more information, visit www.napervillenoonlions.org or call (630) 364-3922.

Roselle

Now in its second year, Roselle's Turkey Trot also is being referred to as an "Exploding Turkey Trot."

Organizer Patrick Devitt, a village trustee, explains that the "exploding" part of the title refers to the fact that proceeds raised by the race help fund the village's Fourth of July fireworks display.

"Last year, we donated about $6,500 to the village," Devitt said.

Devitt said about 400 runners turned out last year and about the same size crowd is expected this Thanksgiving.

The 5K race starts at 8 a.m. Thursday and is open to all ages. All runners will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt. The race is chip-timed for accurate results.

"It gives the competitive runner an opportunity to have a competitive race," he said.

Devitt said the course is the same one trod upon by runners in the village's Run for the Roses race in June. The event begins at the Lake Park High School West campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. The mostly flat course leads down Bryn Mawr Road and winds through the Waterbury subdivision before looping back to the school campus.

Registration is available online at www.roselle5k.com. Runners may also print out a form from the website and drop it off at Roselle Village Hall. The cost is $30 in advance and $35 on race day, Devitt said.

Devitt, a running enthusiast who participated in the race in its inaugural year, said this year he plans to stay on the sidelines where he can coordinate logistics.

"I love the event; I love running," he said.

Devitt said trophies will be awarded to the top overall male and female winners. Top finishers in each age group also will be recognized, he said.

Glen Ellyn

Precognitive skills give the advantage to runners in the Glen Ellyn Park District Turkey Trot, celebrating its 27th year when it steps off at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Race winners are those runners who most accurately predict their finishing time, said Courtney O'Kray, the park district's marketing and communications supervisor.

O'Kray said no watches are allowed on the five-mile course. Runners' times are revealed to them by the race marshal only as they reach the finish line.

O'Kray said the course begins at 645 Lenox Road and takes runners through neighborhoods.

"They start out at Lake Ellyn Park and run up to Oak Street, pass Lake Ellyn and around in a loop," she said. "It's definitely hilly. It's designed to be a family run. You can run it, you can walk it."

And some Glen Ellyn runners are also expected to embellish their standard running gear with turkey and pumpkin costumes, she said.

Only those runners who complete the course in an hour or less are eligible for prizes, she said.

Maps are available at www.gepark.org. Streets are not closed to traffic, she said.

The race is free and no registration is required.

"We do ask our runners to bring a canned food donation for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry," O'Kray said. She said last year runners collectively donated about 100 pounds of food.