If you’re an athlete, you love to eat. It’s one of the main reasons I run so much, so I can eat what I want without having to worry too much about putting on weight. Thanksgiving, however, throws me under the bus every year. I love sugary desserts, and can’t resist going whole hog on that one day of the year (well, except for Christmas and my birthday, of course).

The solution: run the annual Turkey Trot in the morning and start the day of feasting with negative calories. Dallas supposedly has the largest Thanksgiving Day run in the country, drawing over 36,800 runners and walkers last year. With temperatures in the low 60’s at the start this year, I have no doubt that the 5K and 8 mile races drew an even larger crowd. I was sick this year and didn’t run, but my better half, Michael, took some awesome photos of the event.

Things always get started off with pre-race warm up exercises.

Some people really get into the warm up, especially the kids.

The event begins and ends in front of City Hall, which was featured in that fine 70’s sci-fi flick, Logan’s Run (yeah, the one with Farrah Fawcett).

Everyone and their dog comes out for the big day. There are lots and lots of dogs. And strollers.

It’s more fun when you run it with good friends.

Come on, Dude. Really? You’re kind of missing the point.

If you want to race, you better start up front to escape the masses. This guy’s serious about burning off his pre-feast calories.

A sprint to the 5K finish is a fight to the end for these guys. It was neck and neck all the way to the end.

Someone forgot to tell him you never run in cotton on a warm day.

She makes it look easy with both feet off the ground in her super fast minimal shoes.

Are they giving thanks, or just posing for a photo? I love people who run in costumes, but have no desire to do it myself.

There’s always one Dead Head in every crowd, in every city.

You gotta love a guy who runs barefoot wearing a t-shirt advertising beef. Muy macho. I wonder if he’s listening to Metallica, too?

The eight mile course has a puke-inducing uphill finish. Bon appetit, guy with the banana!

Here’s the real reason most people run the Turkey Trot: to drink beer and bloody Mary’s in the cemetery afterwards with their friends. It’s carbs!

And if you can’t join them, you can at least give them a hand.

Some people remind us just how much we have to be thankful for, and to remember those who can’t be with us.

Here’s to another year of eating and turkey trotting with good friends. I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!