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Race through the holidays

5Ks on Thanksgiving and beyond

Lace up those sneakers Thursday morning — there are about a dozen Turkey Trot road races to wake you up Thanksgiving morning. And if that puts you in the holiday running spirit, check out the races hitting the streets the rest of this season.

Thanksgiving Day races

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 24.

• The 14th annual Bow Athletic Club – Bow PD Turkey Trot 5K has an 8 a.m. start time for adults, teens and kids. Advance registration costs $35 for adults, $25 for ages 13 to 19 and $15 for 12 and under (plus $5 on the day). The race location is Bow High School (55 Falcon Way); see totalimagerunning.com/events.

• The Rotary Club of Merrimack’s 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. at Merrimack Middle School (31 Madeline Bennett Drive), where on-location race-day registration will run from 7 to 7:30 a.m. and costs $25 for adults and $15 for children 13 and under. See merrimack5k.com.

• The Dover Turkey Trot starts at 8:30 a.m. and is described as a 5K race for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, according to doverturkeytrot.com. The start and finish is Garrison Elementary School in Dover and registration on the day costs $30, $15 for fourth-graders and younger.

• The Free Fall 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. and begins and ends at the Rochester Community Center (150 Wakefield St. in Rochester). Registration costs $25 for adults, $20 for ages 13 to 17, $15 for ages 7 to 12, and is free for 6 and under (plus $5 to register on race day). See freefall5k.com.

• The Hampstead Turkey Trot, a 5K, starts at 8:30 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church (26 Emerson Ave. in Hampstead). Registration costs $20 for 18+ and $15 for 62+ and ages 5 to 17. Same-day sign-up is from 7 to 8 a.m. See hampsteadnh.us/recreation.

• The Seacoast Rotary’s 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8:30 a.m. in Portsmouth. Registration costs $35 for ages 20+, $25 for ages 13 to 19 and $15 for ages 12 and under. See seacoastrotary.org.

• The Dartmouth Health Fisher Cats Thanksgiving 5K starts at 9 a.m., beginning and ending at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester. Lil’ Turkey Trot, a kids fun run, will be held in the stadium at 8:30 a.m. Registration for ages 12 and up costs $35 in advance or $40 on race day (if available); for kids 11 and under it’s $15 in advance or $20 on race day (if available). See millenniumrunning.com.

• The 15th annual Gilford Youth Center Turkey Trot 5K Race and Family Walk will start at 9 a.m. (8:45 a.m. for walkers) at the youth center (19 Potter Hill Road in Gilford). Registration costs $26 per person or $90 for a family of up to five people. See gilfordyouthcenter.com.

• The 16th annual Lake Sunapee Turkey Trot, a 5K where costumes are encouraged, starts at 9 a.m. at the Sunapee Harbor gazebo with a 1K Chicken Run for kids starting at 8:15 a.m. and going down Lake Avenue. Registration costs $30 for ages 13 to 64, $15 for ages 65 and up and $10 for ages 12 and under (kids 12 and under running in the Chicken Run are free). See sunapeeturkeytrot.com. The event and a pre-registration event from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, will feature a pie sale; pies are $10 each.

• The 28th Annual Windham Turkey Trot, which offers 1-, 3- and 5-mile options, starts at 9 a.m. at 74 Blossom Road in Windham. You can pre-register but you can also just show up on the day; registration costs are by donation with proceeds going to Shepherd’s Pantry. See windhamturkeytrot.org.

Thanksgiving weekend

Races Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 27.

• The Amherst Junior Women’s Club will hold its Trot Off Your Turkey 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Nov. 26. The fun run starts at 9 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9:30 a.m.; both runs start and end at the Congregational Church in Amherst. Registration costs $25 for the 5K and $10 for the fun run; register in advance or register before the race on the day. See ajwcnh.org.

• Bishop Brady High School (25 Columbus Ave. in Concord; bishopbrady.edu) will hold its Galloping Gobbler 4-mile race on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 9:30 a.m. Registration costs $30 for ages 16 and up and $20 for ages 15 and under. Bib pickup is 8 a.m. on race day.

More holiday races

• The BASC Santa Claus Shuffle, a 3-mile race where Santa costumes are included and stations along the way offer Santa’s favorite food groups (milk & cookies, maple syrup, chocolate and candy), takes place Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. in downtown Manchester, starting and ending in Veterans Park. The Stonyfield Organic Lil’ Elf Runs (a 100-yard race) is held at 2:30 p.m. and the Manchester Christmas Parade starts at 4 p.m. Registration in advance costs $30 for ages 21+, $25 for ages 12 to 21 and $10 for ages 11 and younger and for the Lil’ Elf Run (plus $5 to register on race day, if available). See millenniumrunning.com.

• The 2022 Jingle Bell Run, a 5K where festive costume dress is encouraged, will be held Sunday, Dec. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at the West Side Ice Arena in Manchester. Day-of registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The event will include ornament and cookie decorating for kids, according to events.arthritis.org, where you can register for the event. Registration costs $45 in advance, $50 on the day for timed runners; $40 in advance and $45 on the day for untimed runners (both include shirt and jingle bells), the website said.

• The Greg Hill Foundation’s Jingle All the Way 5K at Cisco Brewers in Portsmouth will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. Dig out your ugly sweaters or favorite holiday outfit for the post-race celebration with live music, food and a post-race beer for 21+, according to ghfjingle5k. Registration costs $30 for 21+ and $10 for 20 and under.

• Yule Light Up the Night, a 2.1-mile race through the Gift of Lights display at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, will start at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Registration costs $25 for ages 12+, $15 for ages 4 to 11 and $10 for ages 3 and under (plus $5 to register on race day, if available). See millenniumrunning.com.

• The Tito’s Ugly Sweater 4 Miler, to benefit Second Chance Ranch Rescue, Humane Society of Greater Nashua and the Salem Animal Rescue League, will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, at 9 a.m. The race begins and ends at Backyard Brewery (1211 Mammoth Road in Manchester) and features a post-race party with a Tito’s Handmade Vodka beverage. See hsfn.org/uglysweaterrun.

New Year’s Day races

New Year’s Day is Sunday, Jan. 1, in the year 2023 if you can believe it.

• The Apple Therapy and Derry Sports & Rehab Millennium Mile, a one-mile downhill race on Mammoth Road in Londonderry, starts at a forgiving 2 p.m. Registration costs $20 for 12+ and $10 for 11 and under, with the first 1,250 registrants getting a winter hat (if available, registration on race day costs $5 more). See millenniumrunning.com.

Featured photo: The Jingle Bell Run. Courtesy photo.

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Wobble for a landing

This year’s pre-Thanksgiving options

The night before Thanksgiving is often called Drinksgiving. It’s Friendsgiving for the sober and sober-curious, the Pre-Gobble Wobble for others (OK, maybe the last one is an invented term). Historically for most watering holes, the day before Turkey Day (Wednesday, Nov. 23 this year) is the second busiest of the year, after New Year’s Eve. Whatever one chooses to call it, the evening offers a chance to meet up with old friends and contemplate a four-day weekend of overeating and familial bonding.

Here are a few options to consider, from concerts to karaoke, song pulls and serenades, with or without adult beverages.

• American Legion Post 69 (45 Washington St., Somersworth, 692-9898) Acoustic Radio plays. Tickets $8 at ticketleap.com.

• Amphora (Hood Commons, 55 Crystal Ave., No. 3, Derry, 537-0111) Eddie Sands is a versatile singer and guitarist who plays a variety of familiar songs.

• Area 23 (State Street, Concord, 881-9060) Open Mic Wednesday starts at the appropriate time of 6:23 p.m.

• Bonfire Country Bar (950 Elm St., Manchester, 217-5600) Nashville by way of New Jersey country singer Nikki Briar performs.

• Boston Billiard Club (55 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 943-5630) Drop some bucks on poker and dice, or play it safer at the weekly trivia.

• Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury, 783-9511) During the annual Holiday Stroll, get into the Christmas spirit with a light show choreographed to classic holiday songs, enjoy professional carolers or sing a few yourself at the Carol-aoke stand.

• Castaways Boat House (209 Ocean Blvd., Seabrook, 834-6030) High School Reunion Karaoke with DJ.

• Castro’s Back Room (972 Elm St., Manchester, 606-7854) Boo Boo Groove plays jazz and blues at this downtown cigar bar.

• Chapel + Main (83 Main St., Dover, 842-5170) Dan Blakeslee loves the sweet spot between Halloween and Christmas, so his show in Dover should be a treat.

• Chen Yang LI Riverside Lounge (520 South St., Bow, 228-8508) DJ Kenny P hosts karaoke at this beloved Chinese eatery’s downstairs bar.

• Chop Shop (920 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-7706) Karaoke with DJ Manny starts at 7:30 p.m.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888) Thanksgiving Homecoming Comedy Show stars veteran standup Kenny Rogerson.

• Club Victoire (111 N. Main St., Rochester, 332-9753) Enjoy rock covers from area band The Side Gig.

• Copper Door (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677) In what’s becoming a tradition, area favorite Chad LaMarsh sings and plays guitar.

• Copper Door (41 S Broadway, Salem, 458-2033) As this location celebrated its fifth anniversary, Jodee Frawlee plays for diners and imbibers.

• Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631) Singer-songwriter Paul Driscoll performs for customers picking up treats for tomorrow’s feast.

• Crow’s Nest (181 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 974-1686) Bite The Bullet rocks the house.

• Davignon Snowshoe Club (218 Wilson St., Manchester, 623-8239) Jennifer Mitchell performs with her band at the show, which is open to the public.

• Defiant Records & Craft Beer (609 Main St., Laconia, 527-8310) Mike Loughlin brings his original rock tunes and this unique hybrid of vintage vinyl and craft beer.

• Derryfield Country Club (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880) D-Comp Band is a regular favorite at this Manchester restaurant and bar.

• Dwyer’s Pub (96 Bridge St., Portsmouth, 319-6770) David Corson, a singer-songwriter praised for his personal lyrics and personable performing skills, plays an evening set.

• Fody’s (9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015) There’s trivia between music from Joe McDonald at 6 p.m. and Ben Harris at 10 p.m.

• Fody’s (187 Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946) Two area musicians perform: Kevin Hopkins at 5 p.m. and Brian House at 8:30 p.m.

• Fratello’s (155 Dow St., Manchester, 624-2022) Singer and piano player Jordan Quinn performs covers and originals.

• Fratello’s Italian Grille (799 Union Ave., Laconia, 889-2022) Piano music from Richard Cumming.

• Getaway Lounge (157 Franklin St., Manchester, 627-0661) Mugshot Monday plays classic rock hits with Wally Nichols on drums.

• Giuseppe’s (312 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3313) Harmonizing husband-and-wife duo The Sweetbloods perform soothing cover songs.

• Granite State Music Hall (546 Main St., Laconia, 884-9536) Country singer Jodie Cunningham returns with Close Range. DJ Tim Parker hosts karaoke, along with mechanical bull rides.

• Hawg’s Pen Café (1114 Route 11, Farmington, 755-3301) Barrington rock cover band Daisy Cutter 6 plays favorites.

• Hermanos (11 Hills Ave., Concord, 224-5669) Brian Booth plays covers.

• Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club (135 Congress St., Portsmouth, 888-603-5299) The James Montgomery Band is joined by Blues Music Hall of Famer Christine “Beehive Queen” Ohlman. Tickets $10 to $45 at ticketmaster.com.

• Lithermans Limited (126 Hall St., Unit B, Concord, 219-0784) Not music, but four music-themed taproom releases: One Hit Wonder, Keep On Keepin’ On, Soul Doubt and Cosmic Bakers.

• Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road, Hudson, 943-7832) Sindicate plays its final show.

• Michael’s Flatbread & Grill (8 Stiles Road, Salem, 893-2765) The Regular Gents are an eclectic acoustic duo playing fun versions of songs spanning the decades.

• Music Hall Lounge (131 Congress St., Portsmouth, 436-2400) Pre-holiday comedy as former Fallon writer headlines Midweek Comedic Relief, with support from Alex Giampapa, John Balgio and Izzy da Rosa. $10.

• Nashua Garden (121 Main St., Nashua, 886-7363) Three bands share the stage, beginning with Tumbletoads kicking off the night, followed by The Faith Ann Band, and then The Humans Being.

• Pasta Loft (220 E Main St., Milford, 378-0092) Plan B plays a special Thanksgiving Eve show.

• Pipe Dream Brewing (40 Harvey Road, Londonderry, 404-0751) Reggae rock stalwarts Supernothing play a free show.

• Portsmouth Gas Light (64 Market St., Portsmouth, 430-9122) Amanda Dane Band performs in the nightclub.

• Press Room (77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186) Get funked up and family-ready with Harsh Armadillo and The Bulkheads with a portion of the $20 and $25 tickets going to the Gather NH charity.

• Rage Cage (10 W. Hollis St., Nashua, 402-4196) Get the angst out of your system by smashing a few things in advance of the family gathering at this specialty venue dedicated to stress reduction through destruction.

• Riley’s Place (29 Mont Vernon St., Milford, 325-2177) Bat Magoon Band performs at a restaurant offering comfort, Cajun and barbecue.

• Saddle Up Saloon (92 Route 125, Kingston, 347-1313) Have fun, win prizes and enjoy classic rock, soul, blues and modern sound while playing games with Musical Bingo Nation.

• Sea Dog Brewing (9 Water St., Exeter, 793-5116) Dyer Holiday, duo from Lowell, Mass., play a mix of classic rock, country and folk music.

• Stark Brewing Co. (500 Commercial St., Manchester, 625-4444) Two options on tap, Cox Karaoke and F.O.L.D. Glow Night ($10 event charge) with dancing lessons under black light. For the adventurous, wear white and neon colors, paint your face or bring light-up bracelets.

• Stone Church (5 Granite St., Newmarket, 659-7700) A show celebrating Ape The Grim’s new release i Deal, Too includes support from The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif & Akrobatik), Bakari JB, Rayel, Bugout and DJ Clashious Clay. $20, 21+.

• Strange Brew (88 Market St., Manchester, 666-4292) First Responders’ Night with Jake Pardee & Friends at this favorite downtown restaurant and tap room.

• Stripe Nine Brewing (8 Somersworth Place, Somersworth, 841-7175) Dancing Madly Backwards is back at a Somersworth microbrewery.

• Stumble Inn (20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 432-3210) Small Town Stranded, a longtime favorite area band, performs.

• Telly’s (235 Calef Hwy., Epping, 679-8225) The 603s duo holds forth on Thanksgiving Eve.

• The Goat (50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 222-1677) NEMA Best Country Artist Winner April Cushman and free line dancing get things going at 7:30 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by Sugah Rush — the Eric Grant Band sporting a dancier vibe.

• The Goat (142 Congress St., Portsmouth, 590-4628) Alex Anthony returns.

• Thirsty Moose (21 Congress St., Portsmouth, 427-8645) Hijacked plays rock ’n’ roll.

• To Share Brewing (720 Union St., Manchester, 836-6947) Back to the ’90s party in the taproom from 3 to 9 p.m.

• Tower Hill Tavern (264 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, 366-9100) Trivia Night in the Lakes Region.

• Village Trestle (25 Main St., Goffstown, 497-8230) Live music with Bobby and Amberly performing.

• Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton Beach, 926-6954) Eric Marcs released his solo debut Hope in 2020, a collection of indie rock; he performs with his band Solid Ground.

Featured photo: Chad LaMarsh. Courtesy photo.