Pedestrian traffic along Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose was cheek to jowl Thursday morning.

That’s because thousands of people had cued up for the annual running of the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot.

Sponsored by Applied Materials and started by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation, the event attracted more than 18,000 registrants this year according to Laura Wilkinson.

The first race took place in 2005, drawing about 1,900 people and raising $132,000 for local charities.

Sine then the foundation says they’ve raised $10.7 million dollars.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: A Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runner covers his heart with his turkey hat during the stinging of the national anthem, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
A Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runner doffs his turkey hat for the stinging of the national anthem, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners prepare for the starter's gun, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, along Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners prepare for the starter’s gun, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, along Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners prepare for the starter's gun, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, along Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners prepare for the starter’s gun, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, along Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners sprint up Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners sprint up Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Bob Baylor and Mary Morris lock hands for the final steps of their Silicon Valley Turkey Trot race, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Bob Baylor and Mary Morris lock hands for the final steps of their Silicon Valley Turkey Trot race, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners prepare for the starter's gun, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, along Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot runners prepare for the starter’s gun, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, along Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 

Similar events were held Thursday morning in other Bay Area communities, including Oakland, San Francisco and Walnut Creek.Source: www.mercurynews.com