As Taylor Corcoran reached the finish line he flapped his damp turkey wings. A grin appeared under his wet beak.

He was among the runners who donned a costume for Thursday’s Turkey Trot – 5K and 10K races held along the Long Beach shoreline.  More than 1,500 souls braved the heavy rains and bitterly cold winds to participate in the 17th annual event.

“I ran the race and now I can feed my face,” Corcoran said. “And I don’t have to worry about taking in too many calories.”

About 3,000 runners had registered for the race, but half that many showed up.

“These are definitely the hard-core runners,” said Justin Rudd, who coordinated the fundraiser for his Community Action Team.

“But later today they’ll have two more things to be thankful for,” he said.  “The fact that they’re warm and dry.”

 

A group from the early 5K/10K race flap their arms as they head towards the finish line. More than 1,500 runners and walkers braved the cold and wet weather to take part in the 17th annual Long Beach Turkey Trot for Charity. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Runners take off in the pouring rain for the second stage the 5K/10K races. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A young girl was among the runners who took off in the pouring rain for the second stage the 5K/10K races.Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Finishers from the early 5K/10K race head towards the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Racers took refuge from the rain before the start of the second race.  Photo by Bill Alkofer.
One of the first runners from the 7:00 am race nears the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
The first wave of 5K/10K runners took off at 7:00 am. More than 1,500 runners and walkers braved the cold and wet weather. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
One of the first stroller finishers from the 7:00 am race nears the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.

One of the early stage runners was among those who took home a free pie for finishing the race. Photo by Bill Alkofer.

Long Beach royalty was on hand to pass out bananas and pie to finishers. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Two runners from the early stage wave to a friend as they cross the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Finishers from the early 5K/10K race head towards the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Finishers from the early 5K/10K race head towards the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Finishers from the early 5K/10K race head towards the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A damp turkey heads toward the 5K/10K race finish line.  Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Runners take off in the pouring rain for the second stage the 5K/10K races.Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Runners take off in the pouring rain for the second stage the 5K/10K races. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Runners take off in the pouring rain for the second stage the 5K/10K races. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A boy in the early 5K/10K race head gets a pat on the head as he runs to the finish line. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Event organizer Justin Rudd uses a leaf blower to take care of a puddle near the finish line.  Photo by Bill Alkofer.