Runs and races around Sacramento

Running for health and exercise is virtuous, but sometimes you just want to pin on a bib number and race against hundreds of others. Here’s our weekly best bet for races of various lengths and surfaces.

ROAD

Run to Feed the Hungry 10K, 5K

When: 8:15 a.m. (10K); 9 a.m. (5K) Thursday, Nov. 26

Where: J Street, just west of the entrance to the Sacramento State campus

Cost: $35 (until Nov. 21); $20 (youth, 17-under)

Reason to Run: It’s a Sacramento Thanksgiving tradition. Sure, it’s crowded and parking is a pain, but the race itself is loads of fun, as is the camaraderie and the fact that proceeds go the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Info: www.runtofeedthehungry.com

ROAD

Woodland Running of the Turkeys

When: 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26

Where: Downtown Woodland, 600 Main St.

Cost: $35

Reason to Run: If you want to do a Thanksgiving morning race that benefits a food bank but don’t want to fight the crowds in East Sacramento, Woodland is a mellower affair. Proceeds go to the Yolo County Food Bank.

Info: www.runningoftheturkeys.org

UPCOMING

Woodside Ramble Trail Runs 50K, 35K, Half Marathon, 10K

When: 8 a.m. Dec. 13

Where: Huddart County Park, 1100 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside

Cost: $80 (50K); $75 (35K); $60 (Half); $50 (10K)

Reason to Run: It’s one of the prettiest trail races in the Bay Area, rambling through coastal redwoods and lush forests. You also can catch glimpses of the mansions of Bay Area tech titans.

Info: http://insidetrail.com/calendar/woodside-ramble-trail-run-winter

Sam McManis