Exercise on Thanksgiving? The day of dining...

Exercise on Thanksgiving? The day of dining indulgence?

That’s what the Torrance Parks and Recreation Department has in mind with the 11th annual Harry Sutter Memorial Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Fun Run. The three-mile run and walk on Thursday gets under way at 8 a.m. at Madison Street and Skypark Drive near the Torrance Airport.

“This is more of a family event than a physical-type run,” said Recreation Supervisor Darin McClelland. “The philosophy is: ‘Come on out and give yourself an excuse to eat as much as you want on that day.’ ”

The event, which attracted 2,300 people last year, was named in honor of a 10-year recreation employee who conceived of the Thanksgiving Day run but died before the first one was held. Runners and spectators this year are being asked to bring a can of food, which will be distributed to needy people in the South Bay. There will be drawings for frozen turkeys and other prizes after the race.

The entry fee is $12, and forms are available at the recreation office, 3031 Torrance Blvd.; at Torrance libraries, and at sporting goods stores and sports clubs in the South Bay.