LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — The rain, not dampening the spirits of hundreds of runners in Kingston this Thanksgiving Day. Alice Tomshaw of Swoyersville registered for the race, donning a large, colorful turkey hat.
"I usually wear the sneakers, I have turkey sneakers. But not in the rain," laughed Tomshaw.
As these runners took off, braving the cold and wet weather to get their steps in before the big meal... and keeping with tradition.
"We always used to do something on Thanksgiving Day. We used to play football, but I got too old for that I guess, so now I run this race," said Jim Paddock of Hanover Township.
"It really gets you in the mood. I used to do the 5-miler, but that was a little much. I like the three miles much better. It gets you back home and ready for cooking!" added Tomshaw.
Nearly 350 people lined up for the 'Thanks for Giving' 5K at the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston, with proceeds benefiting Sara's Table Food Pantry.
"We serve more than 250 hungry families a week, and we have about 800 families registered," said Sara's Table Board Member Paula Chaiken.
The pantry recently scaled back its weekly giveaways because of a ballooning list of recipients and a lack of donations. So this year, every penny truly goes a mile, or in this case—3.5 miles.
"Thanksgiving, you think about all the things you're grateful for. One of the things I'm really grateful for is this community and the way we come together," said Paula Chaiken, Sara's Table Board Member.
Families side by side, putting the 'thanks' in Thanksgiving.
"It's just a great way to see your friends and the community come together for a good cause on a holiday and come together," said Amy Paddock, running alongside her dad, Jim.
With these runners' eyes on the prize: Not the finish line... but the dinner table.
"Pumpkin pie... eating a lot... maybe a little football too," laughed Jim Paddock.
More information on Sara's Table can be found on the Friedman JCC's website.