For some of us, the idea of participating in a Thanksgiving Day 5k race is a preemptive strike against the impending holiday battle of the bulge.

We figure if we can get our metabolism energized early to start the day, we can justify a little extra gravy on the mashed potatoes and maybe a wider slice of pumpkin pie.

If that's your rationale for springing out of bed for this year's annual Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot run/walk, then bravo dear friend. It's also a lot of fun and a huge tradition that's grown in popularity over the years at races across the nation.

This year's event happens at Plaza Park on Mays Island in downtown Cedar Rapids on Thanksgiving morning November 22. Iowa Runs is the group that hosts the event to benefit the American Heart Association.

You can get more information and sign up by clicking here.  Early bird pre-registration closes on November 18.  Packet pick up is November 21 from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Planet Fitness on Edgewood Rd.

More From 98.1 KHAK