Runners in the nation’s oldest footrace, the Turkey Trot, picked up their t-shirts, pins and other race-day materials at the Amherst YMCA.

Some 14,000 runners will participate in the 122nd annual 8K race Thursday morning. 

“It’s more about the family, camaraderie and definitely about our volunteers,” says Jeremy Flint, executive director of Independent Health Family Branch YMCA. “We really focus on this event to bring people together and have it be about the holiday season.”

To volunteer for the race Thursday morning, information is available at www.ymcaturkeytrot.org.