Cincinnati Gears Up for 98th Annual Thanksgiving Day Race

Cincinnati's Thanksgiving Day Race is the sixth oldest race in the country and a turkey day tradition for many in the Queen City. Participants can choose to either walk or run the 10 kilometer race on Thursday November 22, 2007, Thanksgiving Day, beginning at 9am. The 10 kilometer route, or 6.2 miles, traverses across the Ohio River bridges, over rolling hills, and through the city streets, starting and ending at Paul Brown Stadium, home to the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

Registration for the Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day Race costs $23 to $25 when registering online or costs $30 to register in person at The Running Spot. Last minute runners can register between 7am and 8:59am, at Paul Brown Stadium on Race Day. History indicates that a healthy crowd can be expected as more than 10,000 runners and walkers finished the race in 2006.

Runners begin the race first, followed by walkers and signs indicating pace, such as a 7 minute mile, guide runners as they line up. Technology allows runners to use chips for more "perfect timing." The tiny chip is attached to the runners' shoelace and the start time does not begin until the runner crossed the official starting line and finish time is accurately recorded when the runner touches the finish line. Race results will be available on www.thanksgivingdayrace.com shortly after the Thanksgiving Day Race.

The 98th Thanksgiving Day Run and Walk's motto is "Healthy Beginnings Happy Endings." The motivation behind the race is to celebrate Thanksgiving in a healthy way. Two of the many race sponsors, McDonalds and National City, will give away free running gloves to the first 3,500 people who register. Other sponsors include Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Subaru Dealers, 700 WLW, Local 12 WKRC, Christ Hospital and many more as the race continues to grow in popularity each year.

Money is raised for charity in conjunction with Cincinnati's Thanksgiving Day Race. Charities include Ronald McDonald House, The Wellness Community, and Girls on the Run. Many volunteers are needed to coordinate and operate a race of this size. Girls on the Run, an organization helping pre-teen girls, will receive a donation for each Thanksgiving Day Race volunteer.

Cincinnati is not the only local spot hosting a 2007 Thanksgiving Day Race. Other popular Thanksgiving races in southwestern Ohio include and the ORRRC Turkey Trot in Miamisburg, offering a 5 mile run or a 1 mile walk, and the Warren Kiwanis Turkey Trot, with a 5 mile run and 2 mile walk, both in their 29th years running.