Photo by Marcus Yam | The Roanoke Times

Tom and Pam Rickard cheer for winners after completing the annual Drumstick Dash.

Photos by Marcus Yam | The Roanoke Times

Runners close in on the finish line on Campbell Avenue during the StellarOne Drumstick Dash in downtown Roanoke on Thursday morning.

Photos by Marcus Yam | The Roanoke Times

Mary Ellen Apgar, dressed as Pocahontas, cheers for participants along the finish line.

Photos by Marcus Yam | The Roanoke Times

A musician serenades participants with "When the Saints Go Marching In." Below right: Tom and Pam Rickard cheer for the winners after completing the 5K race.

Photos by Marcus Yam | The Roanoke Times

Kevin Spencer, dressed as a turkey, encourages runners near the finish line.

Photos by Marcus Yam | The Roanoke Times

Runners pick up pace near the finish line Thursday during the Rescue Mission's Drumstick Dash.

Alex Horton had two words to say to the man who crossed the finish line first in a running race that zigzagged through downtown Roanoke on Thanksgiving morning.

"Thank you," the 7-year-old girl said, before shyly looking at the ground and snuggling up to her mother, Rebecca Horton, who elaborated.

"We really do thank you for running today; it means so much to us" Horton said. "We've been at the Rescue Mission for three weeks, and they've been so good to us."

Mother and daughter couldn't individually thank the nearly 5,000 runners and volunteers who participated in the StellarOne Drumstick Dash, but they were determined to stand near the finish line and cheer on the crowd.

The Drumstick Dash, now in its third year, has become the single largest fundraising event for the Rescue Mission, and Thursday's race raised an estimated $150,000, said Lee Clark, director of development and administration at the mission. Some $90,000 of that was raised by other sponsors.

"It really hits home when you remember this isn't just a race," said David Angell, a 32-year-old man who not only finished the 5K race in 16 minutes 2 seconds, but was also the recipient of the Hortons' gratitude.

The Rescue Mission is a 398-bed facility located in Southeast Roanoke that provides emergency relief for the homeless.

Each year, participation in the Drumstick Dash has grown as families come out to walk and run before sitting down to their Thanksgiving feasts. Last year, 3,200 people turned out. This year, 4,750 participated and another 227 people volunteered, making the race by far one of the largest in Roanoke.

An hour after Angell crossed the finish line, a steady stream of people continued to cross under the banner marking the end, but by 10:30 a.m. the race was complete. Still, Clark said the real results will be the support the event garners for the increasing number of people who have been seeking assistance at the Rescue Mission.

Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, the number of shelter nights provided was up 15 percent. Patient visits to the clinic were up 66 percent, and the number of meals was up 14 percent.

With a poor economic outlook, Clark said the need will likely only grow.

Seeing the strollers, dogs, young and old turned out by the thousands on Thursday was truly exciting, Clark said.

"Our huge goal is to get 10,000 people by 2010 to participate," Clark said. "So we are on our way."

For some the race was competitive, for others it was about supporting the mission and doing an activity together as a family.

"We did it last year for the first time and thought it was a great way for us to spend the morning," said Ida Jane Conner, the matriarch of her family and one of 17 family members who have decided to make the dash a family Thanksgiving tradition.

Three generations of the Conner clan -- from ages 3 to 69 -- participated in the race. Two strollers helped push the youngest of the group.

"Being all together as a family is nice," said one of Conner's granddaughters, Sarah Peters, 15.

Plus, the family knew that a key part of the day's festivities would be ready after the race.

"We already have the turkey in the oven," Conner said.

Others woke up early and prepared pies and other traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

"World-famous apple pie," was on the menu for another family of eight.

"That's what we have to look forward to," said Randy Eller, who was sure to compliment his wife Ruth's dessert.

The Ellers, who live in South Carolina, were among the many participants who traveled from another state. All said, 26 states were represented in the race, Clark said.

While many had food on the mind, the largest meal was probably being prepared to feed the Hortons and others at the Rescue Mission.

During the race, 76 other volunteers were at the mission preparing 100 large turkeys, 1,000 pounds of mashed potatoes and enough green beans and cranberry sauce for 1,500 people.