2012 Turkey Trot winners

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A record 14,000 people laced up their sneakers on Thanksgiving to run in the annual and oldest consecutively run footrace in North America.

The 2012 Turkey Trot stepped off Thanksgiving morning for the 117th time to benefit the YMCA's financial assistance program. It was one of the best weather days in race history and people of all ages came out.

Jack Hesslink ran back in 1947, but wanted to come out for a second time.

Sue Corrie said, "He's 84. And he wanted to do it again. So we did it together."

"I have a yellow lab and I walk three miles every morning," Hesslink explained.

Hesslink may have been one of the older runners, but Sierra White-Thomson was one of the youngest.

She said, "I did a 5K earlier so I thought it would be fun to do. (Reporter asks: How old are you?) 7!"

PHOTO GALLERY | See a few pictures from the race here

For many, the race is a tradition that they share with their family.

Bob Michalski said, "A couple of years ago, my daughter started doing it. And my son started last year, so it's become a family tradition."

And for others, it's something that draws them back to western New York at least once a year.

Dan Koppman said, "Born and bred here in Buffalo, New York but now we live in Ohio. So we'll come back for the race."

This year's overall male winner was 25-year-old Jed Christiansen of Greenville, PA, who ran the 8K race in 24:01. Jacklyn Rzpecki of Rochester, Michigan was the overall female winner. The 34-year-old ran it in 28:17.

New to this year's race was a costume contest for participants. Crazy costumes have always been a Turkey Trot tradition and organizers decided this year to award the best individual and best team costumes.

Lisa Welch from St. Catherine's, Ontario won in the individual category for an elaborate turkey costume. The best team costume was a group who dressed as the cast from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

While having fun, participants also had a chance to give back. Many brought in cans of non-perishable goods for the Food Bank of WNY.

After the race, participants gathered at the Buffalo Convention Center and Statler City for a post-race party and awards ceremony.