Despite a security scare following a jail break at the nearby Santa Clara County Jail, thousands of people took to the streets of the South Bay Thursday to run in the 12th annual Silicon Valley Turkey Trot.
Roughly 100 police officers were on hand to provide added surveillance and oversee the event, which is billed as the largest timed Thanksgiving weekend race in the United States.
Santa Clara County sheriff’s officials said they stepped up security following a jail break around 11 p.m. Wednesday night, when two fugitives cut jail bars and rappelled out of their second-story cell window in the oldest section of the Santa Clara County Main Jail.
Runners said the inmate escape didn't scare them away from racing.
"I’m not gonna have fear in me right now, just gonna go for it in the race," one participant said. "I'm going to pray that everything goes off safe, and we all have a Happy Thanksgiving."
More Than 28,000 Take Part in 12th Annual Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
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The Turkey Trot race, which is designed to help local charities and those served by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation's community efforts, was hoping to raise $1 million for five beneficiaries: Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, Healthier Kids Foundation and the Health Trust.
Families and children took part in a 5K or 10K run/walk in downtown San Jose (there was a Kid’s Fun Run, too) while sporting a Turkey Trot, long-sleeved race shirt.
Turkey Trot organizers say race will go on, not affected by escaped inmates situation. 100+ officers will be here for security @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/zco9ptmIQh — Pete Suratos (@PeteSuratosTV) November 24, 2016
