8k turkey trots
There are a slew of Turkey Trots across the nation on Thanksgiving Day, and a few the weekends before or after. An unusually large number of these are 8k races.
The Deleware YMCA Turkey Trot, in Buffalo NY, Turkey Trot 2007, in Chicago IL, Feaster Five, in Andover MA, and Charlotte Southpark Turkey Trot, in Charlotte NC are the largest of the group.
8k (4.97 miles) offers a greater challenge than the more common 5k events. Late in the season, many casual runners are more willing and able to run longer distances than they would have in the spring. Marathoners may scoff at calling 8k a long distance, but many runners never race that far.
For those accustomed to placing in their age groups, 8k is grouped with the 5-mile distance for course records.
There are fewer 8k races during the year (Thanksgiving notwithstanding) so you may grab runners' attention with a slightly different distance.
By the way, although one water station is adequate on an 8k course, runners will really appreciate two - one between 1 1/2 and 2 miles, the other after the 4-mile mark - especially in warmer weather.