More than 400 participants gathered together in Falcon Square to participate in the 12th annual Turkey Trot at Cerritos on Nov. 17.

The Turkey Trot is a volunteer-driven walk/run that helps families in the Norwalk area during the holiday season by contributing to the city’s food bank.

No turkeys were seen running the 1.5-mile course but many students, faculty and community members did participate.

Ni Bueno, Health Education Department Chairperson has helped coordinate the event over the past five years and anticipated this year having the highest turnout ever, she was right.

“We have had more than 400 participants, that’s a record,” Bueno said.

Every one of those participants brought in at least one can of food to donate to the citizens of Norwalk in exchange for a raffle ticket. The raffle, which was held after the event was over, was a reward from donors for those who participated in the trot.

“Student Activities, the book store, and the city of Norwalk donated gifts for the raffle,” Bueno said.

Those who brought cash donations of a dollar or more were rewarded further with receiving an extra raffle ticket to increase their chances of winning.

Debbie Thomas from staff development said $147.45 was collected from the trot along with 872 cans of food.

“People just kept bringing them,” Thomas said. “And I’m sure we’ll get more throughout the day too.”

The first 100 racers to complete the course received free Turkey Trot tee shirts while three other front-runners received gift cards for their efforts. The first male participant, female participant, and faculty member received the cards.

The winners are as follows:

• 1st place faculty member Jerry Ramos, 12:20,
• 1st place male, Andrew Velasco mechanical, engineering major, 10:09,
• 1st place female, Carmen Preciado, undecided, 11:05.

Carmen Preciado, a former marathon runner, didn’t expect to be the first female across the finish because of her age.

“(I came here) to participate because I love running, I never thought I would be the first one,” Preciado said, “All these girls should have beaten me.”

She added that she invited a lot of her friends and she’s not the only one.

“The Science, Engineering and Math Club had the largest group participate and won the Spirit Award,” said Crystal Garcia, political science major.

The largest group traditionally gets the Spirit Award and for consecutive years in a row, the Math Club has been its receiver.