It may seem not right to suggest that Thanksgiving won’t be complete without the trots and runs, but it’s true. Imagine going out for a nice run — a 5K, an 8K, a 10K or even a half marathon —before settling in for a day of Thanksgiving feasting.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “Hmm, I run 5 miles I can eat guilt-free for the rest of the day. Maybe this guy is on to something.” If that logic works to motivate you, then lace up and keep the fork and knife warming up at home. But the healthy effects of starting this particular day with a run could have widespread benefits. Consider the implications, based on research out of Vanderbilt University.

• “Running helps lower blood pressure by maintaining the elasticity of the arteries.” That could come in handy watching your beloved Lions in their annual Thanksgiving debacle. Not to mention coping with your mother-in-law’s running commentary on how dinner is (or isn’t) progressing.
• “Running also helps maximize the lungs’ potential, as it keeps them strong and powerful.” Good lung potential: Again, with yelling for/at your beloved Lions and with your obligatory defense in defending dinner to “mom.”
• “Running strengthens the heart and helps prevent heart attacks.” Again, with the Lions, again, with “mom.”
• But most significantly: “Running does not increase appetite. In fact, exercise tends to diminish it, acting as a suppressant.” That means not only will you not wake up with a giblet hangover Friday morning, you’ll have leftovers to last a week.

Trots and runs: make them an integral part of your Thanksgiving.

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Here’s a rundown of Thanksgiving Day trots and runs in North Carolina:

Coast & Coastal Plain

Boiling Springs
Ruby C. Hunt YMCA 13th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run and Walk
Where: Ruby C. Hunt YMCA.
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Races: 5K
More info here.

Duck
15th Annual Advice 5K Turkey Trot
Where: Advice 5-cent B&B
Time: 9 a.m.
Races: 5K
More info here.

Goldsboro
Goldsboro YMCA Turkey Trot 5k
Where: Goldsboro YMCA
Time: 8 a.m.
Races: 5K, 1-mile kids fun run (8:15 a.m.)
More info here.

Wrightsville
6th Annual Turkey Trot
Where: Wrightsville Beach Town Park and Gazebo
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Races: 2.4-mile main event, 2.4-mile or 1-mile Gobbler Family Fun Walk.
More info here

Piedmont

Charlotte
5th Annual Lake Norman Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Half Marathon
Where: Gold’s Gym, Cornelius
Time: 7:40 a.m.
Races: 5K, 10K (7:35 a.m. start), half marathon (7:30 a.m. start)
More info here.

Triad

Greensboro
Greensboro Gobbler
Where: Country Park
Time: 9 a.m.
Races: 5K, 1.5-mi. Dog Jog and Youth Run (8:30 a.m.)
More info here.

Winston-Salem
Turkey Strut 5-K
Where: Reynolds High School
Time: 9 a.m.
Races: 5K, 1-mile fun run (8:30 a.m.)
More info here

Triangle

Cary

Turkey Trot
Where: Inside-Out Sports
Time: 9 a.m.
Races: 8K, 1-mile fun run (8:30 a.m.), 100-yard kids dash (10 a.m.)
More info here

Raleigh
Ridgewood Turkey Trot
Where: Ridgewood Shopping Center
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Races: 8K, 1-mile fun run (8 a.m.), Kid’s Dash (9:45 a.m.)
More info here

Wake Forest
Gobbler’s Run
Where: Downtown Wake Forest
Time: 8 a.m.
Races: 5K
More info here

Mountains

Asheville
Turkey Trot 5K
Where: Carrier Park
Time: 9 a.m.
Races: 5K
More info here