Area residents can run off some Thanksgiving excess at Audubon Community Nature Center’s Virtual Wild Turkey Trot Challenge.

Audubon is setting up a marked 5k course, but participants can run the trot anywhere at any time from the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 21, until the Sunday after, Nov. 29. Participants can run in their neighborhood, park, a local track, or at Audubon.

Because this is a virtual race, there are several challenges, including a 5K, 10K, half-marathon or even a full marathon.

The entry fee is $15. Register by clicking through “Register for Upcoming Programs” at AudubonCNC.org through November 29. Submit race times online before the end of the day on Nov. 30.

For an additional $15, registrants can order a t-shirt that will be printed locally by Sideline Sports and mailed after the race.

All money raised benefit the trails, facilities, and live animals at Audubon Community Nature Center.

Audubon’s COVID-19 safety precautions require face coverings for all visitors ages 3 and up indoors. They are also required outdoors when visitors cannot maintain six feet of distance between family groups.

ACNC is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

The first floor of the Nature Center building, including the Blue Heron Gift Shop, live animals, and the 2020 Nature Photography Contest winning photographs, is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Because not all of the building is accessible, admission is by donation only.

Visit the 600-acre nature preserve from dawn to dusk daily. While practicing safe social distancing measures, you can enjoy the grounds and six miles of trails, and view Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 569-2345 during business hours, visit AudubonCNC.org, or find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook.