Cross country season has ended and fall full and half marathons have been run.

As the days grow shorter and weather turns colder, runners enjoy rest and recovery. Families gather for the holiday and offset the big Thanksgiving feast with a morning fun run. And many runners express their gratitude by supporting a local charity event.

Thanksgiving is arguably the busiest day of the year for local runs. Nearly half of my calendar listings for this column are for Nov. 24 events — and those are just the local ones.

You could choose one of these organized events or start a tradition by trotting through your own neighborhood. For the past 31 years, area runners have celebrated Thanksgiving with thousands of friends at the YMCA Turkey Trot in Pittsburgh.

Greater Pittsburgh YMCA Turkey Trot presented by UPMC Health Plan returns to Pittsburgh’s North Side and downtown for its 32nd running. The popular event hosts thousands of participants for competitive 5k and 5-mile races and a 1-mile family fun run/walk. In 2020, the race was held as a virtual event and that’s still an option for those who can’t attend in person.

P3R Public Relations Specialist Kelsey Emch says that more than 6,000 runners and walkers are expected for this year’s in-person events with 200 joining virtually. She says many will dress in turkey costumes or other holiday themes for the fun community event.

All events start on General Robinson Street on Pittsburgh’s Northshore and end in front of PNC Park. The fun run/walk starts at 8 a.m. for a level mile on North Side streets. The 5k, which crosses into downtown and back, begins at 8:30. And the 5-mile run, adding an out-and-back on General Robinson Street and River Avenue, starts at 9:15.

It is possible to register and run both the 5k and 5-mile distances for a Double Gobble. In 2021, there were 185 Double Gobblers.

Strollers and dogs are allowed in the 1-mile fun run, but not permitted in the longer events. Due to traffic control, all participants must maintain a 20 minute per mile pace.

Since 2020, YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, in partnership with local food banks, has distributed 80 tons of food in local neighborhoods. Proceeds from the Turkey Trot benefit hungry people in the Pittsburgh area. Participants are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to the event.

You may register at packet pickups Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PNC Park or sign up on race day. All participants ages 18 and younger may register at 50 percent discount.

All registered participants will receive a long-sleeved performance fabric t-shirt. You can purchase an optional finisher’s medal or a pup bandana with your registration.

Greater Pittsburgh YMCA Turkey Trot emphasizes participation, but doesn’t forget about competition. Top three overall male and female finishers as well as top three in age groups from 10 and Under through 80+ in each distance are recognized.

You can be part of YMCA Turkey Trot festivities even if you choose not to run or walk. Visit ymcaturkeytrot.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=63314 to sign up for one of the many volunteer opportunities listed there.

Greater Pittsburgh YMCA has partnered with UPMC Health Plan and P3R in directing the Turkey Trot. P3R directs Pittsburgh Marathon, EQT 10-Miler, Fleet Feet Liberty Mile and the new GAP Relay. They also partner with other organizations to conduct Penguins 6.6k Run and Walk, City of Pittsburgh Great Race and PIT FlyBy 5k. Check out other running opportunities at P3R.org.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Oil City. Run or walk on Justus Recreation Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCTurkeytrot

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Gratitude 5k Race and Walk, Upper St. Clair. 412-221-1099 or uscrec@twpusc.org

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k, Foxburg. Out-and-back on bike trail along the Allegheny River. 814-659-4661 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=13765

Nov. 24, 8 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Choice of 1-mile, 5k or 5-mile distances along North Shore to support YMCA food pantry and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. 412-586-7785 or p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m.: New Castle Community YMCA T-Day 5k, New Castle. Starts at Downtown New Castle YMCA. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/LawrenceCountyYMCATDay5K

Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m.: Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5k, Apollo. Wave starts at 8:30 and 9:30, also 1 Mile Fun Walk. Prizes for best Thanksgiving costumes. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/kvturkeytrot

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10k and 5k, Ellwood City. Start time for 5k is 10:15 A.M. 724-758-6227 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: 7th Annual Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Run on Hunter Farm bike path to benefit Grove City Community Food Bank. Donations of non-perishable food items accepted. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Also 1 Mile Kids Fun Run in Graham Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrot

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Ebensburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ebensburg/EbensburgTurkeyTrot

Nov. 26, 10 a.m.: WALKer Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. Overall awards in running and walking divisions. 814-573-8734 or www.walkerrun5k.com

Dec. 3, 8 a.m.: New River Gorge Trail Festival — Winter Edition, Fayetteville, WV. Run on trails through New River Gorge National Park. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fayetteville/NewRiverGorgeTrailFestivalWinterEdition

Dec. 3, 8:30 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run – Pittsburgh, North Park. Starts at Boathouse. 412-480-8778 or events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=6582&eventID=1411

Dec. 3, 9 a.m.: Oil City’s Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCJingleBellRun5k

Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza 5k, Vandergrift. Held in conjunction with community holiday festival. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Vandergrift/VandergriftBackWhenHolidayExtravaganza5k

Dec. 4, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Plum. Run at Boyce Park Four Seasons Ski Lodge. www.runsanta5k.com/pennsylvania

Dec. 4, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, University Park. 412-779-7749 or www.runreg.com/nittany-valley-half-marathon

Dec. 10, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Run in Graham Park. www.runsanta5k.com/pennsylvania

Dec. 10, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Starts at resque Isle’s Rotary Pavilion. erierunners.club/event/snowflake-5k/

Dec. 11, 11 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Run on Ernst Rail Trail. 724-992-9154 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Meadville/TheClintPullerMemorialToyRun

Dec. 18, 10 a.m.: Reindeer 5k, 1 Mile and ½ Mile, Zelienople. 1-Mile race starts at 10:45 A.M., ½ mile start follows. getfitfamilies.com/reindeer-race/

Race results

Tropical 5k Classic Obstacle Race, Sept. 17: Baylee Wilson, 1st Overall W, 38:19; Justin Martinez, 1st Overall M, 44:49; Andrew Naples, 48:11; Maggie Longwell, 57:32; Wyatt Bowman, 1:01:54; Deborah Takacs, 1:01:58; Denise Phipps, 1:01:59; Walter Rosado, 1:04:02; Eddie Plastino, 1:15:09; Melissa Longwell, 1:15:12; Lori Howell, 1:20:21; Sean Franklin, 1:20:22; Gracie Plastino, 1:21:44; Carleigh Garcia, 1:22:22; Brooke Franklin, 1:22:30; Gary Bergman, 1:30:35; Lily Howell, 1:30:35; Amy Cunningham, 1:36:53; Harper Cunningham, 1:36:55; Jodi Rosado, 1:40:24; Katie Bergman, 1:52:46; Annie Bergman, 1:52:48; JD Bergman, 1:53:44; Rachael Finigan, 1:53:46;

Community Food Bank 5k, Sept. 17: Anthony Beilstein, 1st Overall M, 21:48; Becky Pigza, 1st Overall W, 23:17; Tim Sloan, 1st 50-54 M, 24:31; Mitch Radella, 2nd 55-59 M, 25:46; Tony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 30:51; Jen Bulfone, 46:27

Mini Moraine Youth Triathlon (ages 7-10), Sept. 17: Lucas Porter, 1st Overall M, 18:06; Emilia Eckenrode, 1st Overall W, 18:27; Jerry Porter, 18:25; Douglas Obyc, 34:41

Mini Moraine Youth Triathlon (ages 11-12), Sept. 17: Dylan Thompson, 1st Overall M, 34:02; Brielle Emler, 1st Overall W, 34:54; Jordan Eckenrode, 34:46; Ian Maloney, 39:28; Cameron Cramer, 39:43

Community Food Bank 5k, Sept. 17: Beverly Abraham, 1st Overall W, 20:58; Jeremy Meyer, 1st Overall M, 25:05; Vicki Sloan, 2nd 65-69 W, 28:23

Pine-Richland Ram Run 1 Mile, Oct. 2: Michael Hoy, 1st Overall M, 7:07; Lauren Bellissimo, 1st Overall W, 7:34; Ben Opdyke, 1st 9 and Under M, 7:20; Connor Campbell, 2nd 9 & Under M, 8:03:25; Cole Van Tromp, 3rd 9 and Under M, 8:03:54; Madeline Campbell, 2nd 9 and Under W, 8:03:80; Kathryn Campbell, 3rd 10+ W, 8:50; Amelia Lam, 3rd 9 & Under W, 9:22; Matthew Opdyke, 8:05; Carter McKissick, 8:28; Grant Mabie, 8:32; Gabriel Vargo, 8:45; David Vargo, 8:55; Reid Mabie, 9:02; Michael Deible, 9:05; Steve Wolk, 9:06; Christopher Campbell, 9:34:58; Sydney Campbell, 9:34:58; Kinley Brown, 9:52.29; Krish Kamanski, 9:52.80; Melanie Lam, 10:00; Marc Mabie, 10:08; Harper Meyer, 10:15; Shannon Meyer, 10:17; William Potoski, 11:11.19; Brian Potoski, 11:11.31; Gregory Baden, 11:14.44; Bo Baden, 11:14.84; Levi Conner, 11:15.26; Manaen Conner, 11:15.58; Aaron McKissick, 11:18.28; Lydia McKissick, 11:18.70; Graham Fleming, 11:23.74; Nathan Opdyke, 11:25; Wyatt Meyer, 11:26.31; Mark Meyer, 11:26.56; Oscar DiSilvio, 11:33; Sharon Conner, 11:35.31; Daniel Conner, 11:35.31; Samuel Leckey, 11:37; Marie Mabie, 11:43; Elizabeth Mabie, 11:44; Jonas Wolk, 11:45.30; Nathan Leckey, 11:45.50; Francesca DiSilvio, 11:47.53; Sean Leckey, 11:47.93; Oliver Deible, 11:56.45; Mike Deible, 11:56.45; Addyson Wolk, 11:57.26; Holly Wolk, 11:57.27; Stefanie DiSilvio, 11:58.48; Phillip DiSilvio, 11:58.81; Brynn Winans, 12:01.31; Harvey Vansickle, 12:01.76; Kristine Vansickle, 12:01.81; Matt Winans, 12:02; Taylor Pratt, 12:04.58; Jackson Pratt, 12:04.81; Michael Leckey, 12:11; Vivekanandan Karthik, 12:27; Tanecia Redlinger, 12:28:25; Violet Redlinger, 12:28:51; Ashley Van Tromp, 12:30; Heidi Opdyke, 12:41; Jack Davis, 13:00; Sofia Potoski, 13:09.61; Laura Potoski, 13:09.61; Rhiannon Brown, 13:31.56; Alaina Brown, 13:31.90; Apryl Pratt, 13:40; Parker Pratt, 13:43; Kavithalakshmi Baskar, 13:58; Tharun Karthik, 13:59; Benjamin Lam, 14:08; Brantley Hensel, 14:16; Jonathan Lam, 14:21; Erek Lam, 14:22:71; Jessica Hensel, 14:22:93; Charlie Hensel, 14:23.31; David Hensel, 14:23.81; Jim Brown, 14:24.54; Reese Fleming, 14:24.81; Geoffrey Fleming, 14:32; Holden Braga, 14:41; Raquel Braga, 14:50; Janell Baden, 15:17; Evalyn Conner, 15:30; Lily Redlinger, 16:15; Kai Deible, 16:30; Stephanie Deible, 16:31; Kelly Lennon, 17:48; Claire Lennon, 17:49; Kaitlyn Lennon, 17:50; Kelly Gustafson, 18:49

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle