Beckley runners burn off Thanksgiving dinner before breakfast - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

Thanksgiving kicked off first thing in the morning in Beckley.

More than 300 runners participated to support YMCA scholarships and kick off Thanksgiving at the 36th annual YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run at the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex.

"Everyone's very enthusiastic, ready to get going, trying to keep warm," says Daniel Vass, Sports and Recreation Director for the YMCA.  "We're very happy with the turn out we have today."

Participants young and old were out working up their Thanksgiving appetite early. 

"It lets you come out and be active.  That way you don't feel so bad about eating all the turkey and laying around for the rest of the day," says Vass.

The winner this year, Zack Bias, is a high school sophomore from Florida who says this was a fun way to spend his West Virginia Thanksgiving.  "I was in town with my grandma, and just saw there was a race.  And any opportunity I can get to race… I always take advantage of," says Bias.

The race declared three overall winners and three winners from each age group.  They won trophies and the title, Thanksgiving champion, before polishing the turkey off their plates.