For runners, Thanksgiving has a lot to do with the morning Turkey Trot before the afternoon feast. Perhaps more than any other race of the year, familiarity with the turkey trot signifies that yes, indeed, you are a runner. And this is really no surprise considering that the nation’s oldest and continuously run race is, in fact, one such turkey trot itself. And thanks to the popularity of hundreds of Turkey Trots that take place on the third Thursday of every November across the country, Thanksgiving is now the number one race day in the country.

The first trot started in Buffalo, New York, as a cross country-style 8K with just six runners. Today some 14,000 runners line up downtown and head straight down historic Delaware Avenue.

Here’s an inside look at the YMCA Turkey Trot by The Numbers:

300,000

The amount, in dollars, that the YMCA Turkey Trot raised in 2016 to provide families in need with access to YMCA services.

1896

The first year the Turkey Trot was held. Henry A. Allison was the first-place finisher that year. He averaged six-minute miles over the 8K course and was one of the only six runners to cross the line.

1972

Even though the race had already been held for 76 years by 1972, this was the first year a woman ever entered the race. Her name was Mary Anne Bolles and she placed 142nd out of all 169 finishers.

3,506

The number of runners that completed the trot in 2000 despite a major snowstorm that closed down Buffalo streets. At the mayor’s request the streets were cleared and the race went on.

400

The average number of volunteers needed to ensure the annual 8K goes on without a hitch.

14,000

The cap on the number of runners that line up to run on Thanksgiving morning. The field has grown steadily since 1995 (there were 6,003 runners that started the race that year).