More than 5,000 early birds participated in The 25th annual Southwest Vertel's 8K (4.97-mile) Turkey Trot Run and Walk on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, in Lincoln Park.

Top honors and prizes from Vertel's Running stores and Brooks Footwear AND a turkey were awarded to: Robert Gary, 29 of Columbus, OH, with a time of 23:34, and to Sarna Becker, 26 of Palo Alto, CA with a time of 28:21.

In the men's race, Jack Kafel, 26, Chicago, was second in 23:47; Tomas Baginski, 25, Chicago, third in 24:18; Scott Anderson, 28, Chicago, fourth in 24:26 and Paul Howarth, 25, Indianapolis, fifth in 24:29.

On the women's side, Lisa Blomme, 24, Gunnison, CO, was second in 28:55; April Likhite, 30, Birmingham, MI, third in 29:14; Megan Levin, 32, Chicago, fourth in 29:28 and Dorothy Gach, 30, Morton Grove, fifth in 30:02.

Children ages 2 - 14 participated in youth fun runs called The Plymouth Rock Ramble, which took place after the conclusion of the run/walk.

The events were a great way to work up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner while helping those less fortunate by donating canned goods to benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository. Each year, race participants donate more than 7,000 pounds of canned goods which helps to feed Chicago's less fortunate.

This family event brought out friends, relatives, runners and walkers of all ages, shapes and sizes. Mike Adamle, sports anchor of News 2 (CBS) Chicago most resembled the famed bird as he was decked out in full turkey- regalia. Fellow CBS 2 newswoman Kyung Lah, and producer Lisa Druss ran with reporter John Garcia of ABC 7, and anchor Mark Suppelsa of NBC 5 as "News Giblets."

For a photo gallery, click here.