Walkers and runners converged Thanksgiving Day on Seaside’s Quatat Park for an annual tradition, the Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk.

Last year’s race attracted about 100 runners, Angi Wildt of the Sunset Recreation Park and Recreation District said. With walk-ins and preregistrations, this year the number swelled to almost 300.

Some of that may have been because of the weather — rain was only moderately steady compared to the windblown torrents of years past.

For members of the Fischer and Wright families — on the coast from Portland, Seattle, Santa Cruz and San Francisco — the event provided an opportunity to gather on a day to show gratitude.

”We came up to Gearhart for the Thanksgiving holiday,” Ruth Wright said before the race. “We like to spend it together, and we like to run.”

And run they did.

Chris Wright crossed the line at 16:26 to lead the pack.

“I feel good!” he said, catching his breath. “Beautiful morning! A little bit of traffic, but it wasn’t too bad!”

Tyler Wilson of Bend finished second, followed by Chris Duffy, nutrition coordinator for the rec district.

The leading female runner, Ginny Meadway of northern California, crossed the line at 19:30.

Seaside Chamber of Commerce Director Brian Owen explained the appeal of Seaside.

“This is such a wonderful place, it’s iconic to everybody,” Owen said. “The message is community. People love to be part of their neighborhood, they love to be part of the city. “

Elliott Allen of West Seattle, Washington, 13, celebrated his Thanksgiving as the fastest teen runner.

Oh — and it was his birthday, too.