ELKHART -- Three local athletic charity events may help make Thanksgiving relatively guilt-free: Burn calories for a cause before diving into a heaping plate of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy.

While the Turkey Stampede, a Thursday road race to benefit Faith Mission, is full, there still are two other athletic events that day benefiting good causes -- "I'm Thankful Four" and "Swinging Kettlebells for the Homeless."

"Our goal was to create a family event for a family holiday," said Turkey Stampede race director Paula Turk. And they did, attracting 500 people to the race. Many families of multi-generational runners and walkers are participating in the first-time Turkey Day event to raise money for the local homeless shelter.

However, just because that race is full is no excuse not to lace up the sneakers Thursday morning.

* The "I'm Thankful Four" run and walk, hosted by the Kelsey Mikel Memorial Foundation, will raise funds for scholarships in Kelsey's memory. Kelsey, a NorthWood High School honor student, died in a car accident in 2004. Runners and walkers will start at NorthWood High School and pass a number of landmarks related to her life, such as the golf course where she played as a member of the NorthWood golf team.

For more details or to register online for the 2-mile or 4-mile runs and the 2-mile or 4-mile walks go to www.thankfulfour.org. The registration fees are $20 through today and $25 the day of the race, which starts at 8 a.m.

Last year, the event raised $6,000 for NorthWood students. Kelsey was business manager of the school yearbook and a $1,500 scholarship went to an outstanding senior yearbook staff member, said Mark Mikel, Kelsey's father. The foundation's board selected another outstanding senior to receive a $3,000 "Dreams Come True" scholarship. The remainder raised went towards equipment for the football team.

* Punch Gym invites the public to "Swinging Kettlebells for the Homeless" to raise money for the South Bend Center for the Homeless at 8 a.m. at Punch Gym, 3602 N. Grape Road, Mishawaka. Join in a calorie-burning workout that uses Kettlebells, which look like black cannonballs with handles. For more information call 370-0365.