BALDWINSVILE (AP) -- Thousands of people took to the streets for "turkey trots" across upstate New York before tucking into their Thanksgiving feasts.

The 5-kilometer "Kiwanis Turkey Trot" race in the village of Baldwinsville near Syracuse drew nearly 1,500 runners, some with extended ties.

Organizer John Denny says generations run together - grandfathers, fathers and sons. Steve and Sandy Bulmer of Connecticut and other family members all wore yellow shirts that read, "We run, therefore we eat."

Proceeds from the Turkey Trot will benefit Ronald McDonald Charities and Kamp Kiwanis.

In Buffalo, a record 12,000 people registered for the 8-kilometer 114th annual YMCA Turkey Trot, billed as the oldest consecutively run footrace in North America. Serious runners were joined by a smattering of costumed characters, including Santas, reindeer, pumpkins and caterpillars.

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)