More than 700 runners flock to Long Beach for holiday-inspired Turkey Trot

More than 700 runners Sunday morning flocked to Long Beach for the holiday-spirited 10-kilometer Long Beach Turkey Trot.

For some who ran, the race started Thanksgiving week and symbolized what the celebrated American holiday is all about.

Rockville Centre runner Danielle Falchiere, 19, said the run allowed her to spend time with her uncle, who also was running and persuaded her to sign up this year.

"I'm thankful to run. Not everyone is able to do this," said Falchiere, who ran the trot for the first time and hoped to finish the race in under an hour.

Franklin Diaz, 31, of Farmingdale, who last ran the trot in 2013, said, "This is one of the ways I get into the holiday spirit."

He added, "This race is about coming together."

But Sunday's run was just his warmup event. Franklin said he's running in another event in Huntington on Thanksgiving Day.

More people run races around Thanksgiving than any other time, said David Katz, who helped organize the trot with City of Long Beach officials.

Thanksgiving is about families getting together and celebrating with each other and that's what the race is about, he said.

"It's about family, it's about fitness and athleticism," Katz said.

Turkey trot winner Chris Koegel of Malverne crossed the finish line in 35 minutes and 39 seconds.

He said he was thankful for his 13-month-old daughter.

"Everyone here wins," said Koegel, 32, catching his breath moments after finishing. "The running community in Long Beach is really special."

During the race, Koegel said he took advantage of the "lucky" November weather and a "beautiful boardwalk."

The course is flat and fast and that's what runners love about it, said Ron Curry, 41, of Huntington Station, who tries to run in the event every year.

"Long Beach is a great place to run and is runner-friendly," he said before the race.

Long Beach resident Christine Filardi stood along the boardwalk taking pictures and cheering on her sister who ran in the race.

"I have a new respect for these runners," she said at the trot.

Many of the runners often wake up early to run and work out, and that should be appreciated, she said.