Thousands of Runners from Across Orange County to Participate in 37th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot

DANA POINT, Calif. - Nov. 21, 2014 - PRLog -- Early Thanksgiving morning, thousands will take to Dana Point’s coastal streets to race in the 37th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot—a holiday tradition much like Santa cruising down New York’s 34th Street and the faceoff of Cowboys, Lions and their respective opponents.

It’s a tradition that unites a community—far beyond the race course’s reach—for one common objective no matter their running skill level or social background: To run the race before they stuff the face.

Each year, the Dana Point Turkey Trot draws runners from across Southern California for a morning of camaraderie and competition. This year is no exception. More than 11,000 are expected to take part in the 5K, 10K and 1-mile Kids Gobble Wobble races Thursday, Nov. 27 with an estimated 6,000 course-side cheerers and volunteers completing the race-day experience with their support and dedication.

The day’s festivities kick off just before 7 a.m. with an opening ceremony and a special, energetic warm-up for participants provided by Billy Blanks, the creator of Tae Bo® Fitness and the Turkey Trot’s Official Fitness Expert. Blanks, owner of Billy Blanks Ancient Arts Studio in Dana Point, will also help 5K runners prepare for their contest with a quick Tae Bo® inspired pre-race workout at 9:30 a.m.

The fun and action doesn’t stop there. In keeping with the Turkey Trot’s tradition of close-race thrills, the most intense, and entertaining, run is saved for last as the youngest runners take to the 1-mile Gobble Wobble course at 10:15 a.m. And the Turkey Trot’s entertainment isn’t limited to the finish line.

Beginning at 9:10 a.m., participants will strut their stuffing on the costume contest runway where the most creative individual and group entrants will be awarded prizes. Last year saw Turkey Trotters clad as Santa and his reindeer, Indiana Jones and the giant bolder, and of course, a turkey or two.

The two-day Health & Wellness Expo, starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26, will also accompany the Thanksgiving Day races, featuring a wide-array of vendors offering healthy race-day snacks and more.

This is a fun- and action-filled event that brings all walks of life together and gives back to organizations helping make Orange County a better place to live and visit. Over the past 30-plus years, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has raised more than $500,000 for local charities. The tradition of giving continues for the 37th year with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association and Family Assistance Ministries benefitting from the annual event.

To download the Dana Point Turkey Trot Press Kit, visit turkeytrot.com/media-inquiries (http://www.turkeytrot.com/media-inquiries).

About the 37^th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot:

Produced by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Run Racing, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is the nation’s sixth largest Thanksgiving Day run in the country. Named a top Thanksgiving destination by Fodor’s Travel and one of America’s best Thanksgiving runs by Fitness Magazine, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has become an Orange County tradition, attracting more than 17,000 participants, including friends and family, in its 5K, 10K and Kids’ Gobble Wobble runs, as well as a two-day health and fitness expo. Featuring scenic routes through the picturesque Dana Point Harbor and Doheny State Beach, the Turkey Trot offers something for every member of the family. Since its conception, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has raised over half a million dollars for local nonprofits. The Dana Point Turkey Trot is a USA Track & Field (USATF) sanctioned and certified event. For more information, to register for a race, or to become a sponsor, visit TurkeyTrot.com (http://www.turkeytrot.com/). Also, follow the event on Twitter at twitter.com/turkeytrot and Facebook at facebook.com/danapointturkeytrot.