With two road races scheduled in the mid-valley for Thanksgiving morning, the organizers of the second annual Oregon Mid-Valley Road Race in North Albany have an offer that might intrigue participants in Corvallis’ annual Turkey Trot.

Here’s the deal, as relayed by Jim Abbott, race director of the Mid-Valley Road Race and former president of the Mid-Valley Lions, the organization that’s sponsoring that race:

The Lions calculate that a “gonzo” runner has enough time to cover the five kilometers of the Corvallis Turkey Trot, which starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, hop into a vehicle and zip over to the North Albany Village, where the Mid-Valley Road Race is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

And so anyone who shows up at the North Albany Village with proof that they ran in the Turkey Trot can run in the Mid-Valley Road Race’s five-mile Scenic Challenge for free.

“We want our race in Albany to be good for both communities,” Abbott said. “The Mid-Valley Road Race will become a regional event, but we don’t want to compete with Corvallis, so we started an hour later. Now we’re waiving our fee for anyone who wants to run in both races. It’s two races for the price of one, with all the financial benefit going to Corvallis.”

Runners who want to compete in both races are asked to call the Mid-Valley Lions at 753-5555 to arrange for special registration.

Turkey Trotters will be considered unofficial participants in the Oregon Mid-Valley Road Race and will not receive a T-shirt, a timing chip or any trophies, Abbott said.

Meanwhile, it’s not too late to sign up for the Turkey Trot, which also includes a one-kilometer “Little Gobblers Kids Trot.” The race starts and ends at the Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 N.W. Highland Drive in Corvallis. Registration is $35 for the 5K and $15 for the 1K. The event is a fundraiser for the Aquatic Center. The race begins at 8 a.m.; day-of-race registration starts at 7 a.m.

For more information on the trot, see the event Web site at www.ci.corvallis.or.us/pool or http://racecenter.com/oacturkeytrot/.

A downloadable registration form is also available. Call the Aquatic Center at 541-766-7946 for information.

Day of race registration for the Mid-Valley Road Race begins at 8 a.m. Thursday, with the races starting at 9 a.m. Prices are $25 for the Scenic Challenge, $20 for the 3.75-mile intermediate run and $10 for the 2.5-mile walk. The registration site on race day will be next to the Starbucks in the Albany Village Plaza.

The event benefits Habitat for Humanity and several Lions Club charities.

To volunteer in the race, or for more information, call 753-5555 or go to the Web site www.omroadrace.org.