Thanksgiving Day road races to support South Shore Food Warehouse with canned good drive.

Four hundred pounds might not seem an ideal weight to participate in a Thanksgiving Day road race. For organizers of Plymouth Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk, it’s a number they would like to see increase at this year’s runners top. That’s largely because the 400 pounds represents the amount of canned good items last year’s races raised for the South Shore Community Action Council’s Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse.

“The spirit of the holiday, with a focus on giving, was certainly not lost on last year’s runners and we were quite pleased with the amount of food contributed,” said Steve Dubin, a spokesperson for the Plymouth Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk. “Just as we would love to see more people run in both races, we would also like to see more runners and their cheering sections help us top 500 pounds this year.”

Collection bins will be at both Thanksgiving Day morning races. Runners and spectators are encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items. All donated goods will go to the Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse, which provides food to more than 30 emergency food pantries and soup kitchens in the greater Plymouth area.

“If we did nothing but the food drive on Thanksgiving morning, it would be a great thing. But these two road races—the Plymouth Turkey Trot and the Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk, combined with the Second Helping Challenge—make for a great start to the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Dubin.

The second annual Plymouth Turkey Trot starts at Memorial Park at Plymouth Rock at 7:45am. The five-mile course offers scenic views of the Plymouth’s picturesque oceanfront, and passes several historical sites including Plymouth Rock, Burial Hill and The Mayflower. The cost to register is $27. Prizes will be awarded to men’s and women’s winners in several age groups.

The fourth annual Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk kicks off from the Village Racquet and Fitness Center, at Pine Hills, 30 Gold Drive, Plymouth at 10:15 a.m. rain or shine, also on Thanksgiving morning. The course includes the oldest road in America, Old Sandwich Road. This race site was the original trail used by Pilgrims and Native Americans in the 1600’s as they traveled from Plymouth to Sandwich, Mass. Cost is $27.

The 2013 Second Helping Challenge welcomes runners to sign up for both races at a reduced rate of $40. Running both races earns runners a permanent listing on the Second Helping’s “Couch of Fame and on Plymouth Rock Racing’s Facebook as well as an exclusive and awesome Second Helping sweatshirt.

The top three combined time winners for both men’s and women’s divisions will receive a cool prize and trophy. Prizes will also be awarded to top Second Helping participants in the following age groups: 15 and under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over.

For complete race information and registration details on the Plymouth Turkey Trot, Thanksgiving Day 5k and the Second Helping Challenge visit www.plymouthturkeytrot.com. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring either the Plymouth Turkey Trot or the Thanksgiving Day Turkey 5k, please contact Steve Dubin at 781-582-1061 or sdubin@prworkzone.com.

About South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.

Since 1965, South Shore Community Action Council has provided a range of critical services to low-income individuals and families on the South Shore of Massachusetts, and has toiled to combat the root causes of poverty in those communities. By strengthening and coordinating existing efforts, its mission is to eliminate poverty along the South Shore by affording everyone in need the opportunities for education, training and work; to live with dignity; to contribute to the full extent of their capabilities; and to participate in the workings of our society.