Follow USA TODAY's Wednesday coverage of the Thanksgiving 2024 weather forecast and travel updates. ARLINGTON, Va. − Some of the millions of Americans planning to run or walk those iconic turkey trots this Thanksgiving Day ahead of those big holiday meals should be bracing for bitter cold or otherwise foul conditions.

The Turkey Trot is the largest Thanksgiving 5K in Missouri, attracting more than 7,000 participants annually. The race travels through downtown Springfield and the Missouri State University campus. The route is listed below. The race begins at 8 a.m. near the Springfield Expo Center.

The first Ames Turkey Trot 5k will take runners through some of the best parts of town on Thanksgiving, including downtown and Brookside Park. The inaugural event will start at 9 a.m. on Thursday, giving families plenty of time to rest up for their hearty holiday meals.

Why is Thanksgiving traditionally associated with turkey and other specific foods? We asked a history expert why we eat what we do on the holiday.

For 2024, it will partner with 22 different Thanksgiving Day turkey trots and half marathons held in 12 states around the country. Tens of thousands of runners are expected to participate, and that’s likely just a small fraction of those planning to run before they eat on Thursday.

Canada and the United States both celebrate Thanksgiving to express gratitude, but there are some major differences in how these neighbouring countries mark the occasion. This infographic highlights the key differences between Canadian and American Thanksgiving traditions.