Turkey Trot: 6,000 Runners Hit The Road

Nearly 6,000 runners braved the frosty Thanksgiving morning weather and dashed through the streets of downtown Walnut Creek in the 20th annual Turkey Trot.

The 5k and 10k races started at 8 a.m. on Broadway near the downtown library. The course went down the Broadway extension to the back side of Las Lomas High and then back to Broadway Plaza and along Main Street and Civic Drive, where the 5K runners turned into Civic Park.

The 10k runners continued to the pedestrian bridge over Ygnacio Valley Road, ran out on the bike trail before turning around and returning to the park.

The event, organized by Forma Gym as a way to promote fitness, benefits the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, the P.E.A.K. Education Foundation, the Wellness City Challenge and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Race officials say the event enriches education for 10,000 students in Walnut Creek public schools.

Almost 60 percent of race participants are women. More than 1,100 runners were under 18 years old and kids from 20 schools participated.