TOLEDO, Ohio — The Dave's Turkey Chase 5K brings thousands of people to downtown Toledo each year from all across the country.
With several different skill levels and races, all runners are welcome.
That's why Aliya Gosdin said she came to Toledo to run her first race.
"We're from Texas and we flew all the way out here," said Gosdin, a first time Turkey Chase runner.
Whether you are first time runners or you've been here from the beginning, they said their favorite part is the memories that you can only create here at the Turkey Chase.
"People are out here in onesies and turkey hats. We'd probably look insane on any other day of the year but it's Thanksgiving, so you get a free pass on the insanity," said Gosdin.
And it's for a good cause. The proceeds go to the Cherry Street Mission Ministries, an organization who's shelters, resources and staff are committed to helping people in need.
"We've been partners with them for over 10 years now, we've raised over a quarter million dollars for their mission and because the size continues to grow the contributions continue to assist them," said Clint McCormick the Run Toledo Event Director at Dave's Running.
According to McCormick, since the race started back in 2014 the size has more than doubled from 2,000 people to 4,500.
He said people from more than 31 states and 4 countries are represented at this year's race.
"This is a huge turnout. I was expecting a couple hundred people. But this is astounding," said Gosdin. "We're like taking over the downtown area. I wasn't expecting this turn out especially in Toledo Ohio. I'm pretty shocked."
The runners who spoke to WTOL 11 said the size of Toledo's running community is refreshing.
They also said Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful, a day to come together with family and in Toledo, it's a day to run.
