Some Staten Island residents got a running start to their Thanksgiving festivities.

Hundreds came out for the 68th annual Lou Marli Turkey Day Run at Clove Lakes Park on Thursday. 

The three mile run is hosted by the Brighton Kiwanis Club and helps collect food for the St. Paul's food bank.

The race consist of three childrens heats and three adult heats.

People know on Staten Island to come down here Thanksgiving morning to see people you haven't see for years, and the high school kids who graduate come down here as their in college to see there old pals," said Jeff Benjamin of the Brighton Kiwanis Club.

Organizers said that this is the oldest running free turkey trot in the country.