Looking to burn some calories before indulging in a Thanksgiving Day feast?

A pair of 5K events in Southwest Florida include the Mercola Market & Cafe of Cape Coral Mid-Cape Gobble Wobble 5K and the 42nd Annual Turkey Trot to be held at the Edison and Ford Estates.

Both 5K races take place on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, at 7:30 a.m. The inaugural Gobble Wobble steps off at the new Mercola Market, at 125 Southwest 3rd Place.

“Thanksgiving Day runs are a great tradition, and we wanted to provide that opportunity locally to the area’s families — all while supporting good causes in our city,” said Mercola Market of Cape Coral General Manager Patrick Rossi. “Most families don’t start the typical Thanksgiving festivities until the late afternoon, so this is a fun, productive way to get the most out of our day by starting early and burning some extra calories for dinner later.”

The event includes professionally chipped timing, a fun and smooth route, raffles and an award ceremony. Age group awards will go to the top three places for female and male. Overall awards will go to one male and female in each category.

Runners and their families may continue the fun after the 5K with music, gift basket raffles and 10% off all Market and Cafe items, including coffee and pastries. Mercola also will be accepting non-perishable food and pet food donations to be given to local organizations after the event.

“A wonderful start to this year’s holiday season, this event will help bring our Cape Coral families together in support of local causes, especially during this time of year,” Rossi added. “No better way to express thankfulness than giving back. In the Cape, for the Cape.”

Registration is $35 per runner and can be obtained by visiting www.mercolamarket.com under the events tab. Registration will remain open until 15 minutes prior to the start of the 5K.

Packet pick up days are Nov. 22, 23 and 24 at Mercola Market from noon to 7 p.m. and can also be picked up at 6:30 a.m. on race day.

Turkey Trot

The 5K run and walk that starts and finishes at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Downtown Fort Myers will benefit preservation at the estates and the Fort Myers Track Club scholarship fund.

For those that would prefer to participate remotely, there is also a virtual 5K option. The first 2,000 participants will receive a short-sleeve cotton Turkey Trot 5K T-shirt and all will enjoy race day refreshments and cherished Thanksgiving Day memories. Race organizers encourage early registration and attendance at an early packet pick-up. Registering early and attending early packet pick-up also will avoid the need to wait in long lines race morning.

“You can make a difference by contributing to the preservation of the historic artifacts, structures, and legacies of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford,” said Edison and Fort Winter Estates officials. “Our Preservation Fund supports all aspects of our historic site. Your gift will ensure that our site will be preserved for generations to come, support innovative new programs and exhibits, allow us to conserve our celebrated collections, and much more.”

Every year the Fort Myers Track Club awards one or more deserving high school seniors a scholarship. It was named the FMTC Billy Shevach Scholarship in memory of Billy and the generosity of the Shevach family.

There will be awards for top male and female overall winners, as well as age categories.

Registration is $25 for adults ($30 after Nov. 19), $15 for youth ($20 after Nov. 19) and $5 for the Tot Trot (100-yard dash).

Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 24. There will be no day-of registration.

Packet pick up days are Nov. 19 at Snyderman’s New Balance in Fort Myers at 1900 Trailwinds Drive from noon to 5 p.m., Nov. 20 in Fort Myers at Run Florida at 13101 McGregor Blvd. from noon to 4 p.m., and Nov. 24 at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates at 2350 McGregor Blvd from noon to 5 p.m.

Race day packet pick up starts at 6 a.m.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj