Some tried to work off the calories before they even took them in Thursday.
Hundreds of runners gathered Thursday morning for the first Surfside Beach Turkey Trot.
The pier served as the finish line for the 5k and 10k races. Around 750 people laced up their running shoes and participated in the event. Some were trotters. Others ran like wild turkeys.
Many of them say it's a great way to get a head start burning off calories before sitting down for a big meal.
"I usually try to run on Thanksgiving because I don't want to stuff myself and feel bad about it," Aaron Lear, 5K Turkey Trot Runner, said.
"I know that everybody else who didn't get up and come with us this morning is consuming a lot more total calories today than I am, so i'm gong to feel good about myself," Runner Julia Wiley told NewsChannel 15.
"Its always a great way to spend the holiday burning off the calories before you consume them, part of a healthy lifestyle," Murray Honick, Surfside Beach Rotary Member, said.
The turkey trot is organized by Festival Promotions. The group donates the race funds to local charities.
