As the economic downturn pushes more people to the edge, the spirit of giving thrives among local runners and walkers preparing for the 15th annual Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day.

The thought of forking over $35 to run or walk in Thursday's 5K/10K race, which benefits Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, didn't seem to faze a number of entrants picking up their bib numbers and race T-shirts at REI in Sacramento.

If anything, they sounded more willing to lend a hand because things have gotten so dicey.

"It just feels good to give back to the people who can't have what I can have," said Sacramento's Joe Alejandrez, 53, who has entered the 5K with his sister and his two children, Alexa, 15, and Anthony, 13.

"It really means something special. I think it's more of an incentive because of the economics that are happening right now.

"Everybody that can do it should do it."

Race officials expect a record field of 27,000 runners and walkers for the event, which begins at 9 a.m. near the Carlson Drive entrance to California State University, Sacramento.

The 5K run/walk winds through east Sacramento and finishes on H Street near Carlson Drive. The 10K passes through east Sacramento, briefly enters midtown and then returns to the finish on Carlson near H Street.

Race officials hope the run will raise $750,000, a jump from the $600,000 raised last year by a field of 23,000 runners.

"The need for our services is on the rise because of so many cutbacks," said food bank president Blake Young, whose group has seen a 20 percent increase in people seeking help.

"The run is really important for a lot of reasons. It's not doom and gloom. It's enjoying time with their families.

"We all need a little infusion of positive. There's been so much pessimism the last couple of months. … There's only one way to change your happy meter. It's called being grateful."

Many people entered in the Run to Feed the Hungry sounded appreciative that they are in a position to lend a hand.

"I think people are in a more giving mode because of the bad economic times," said Sacramento's Stuart Eldridge, 49, who was preparing for his first encounter with the race.

Sacramento's Ali Salazar, 27, said she and her husband, Jorge, planned to participate in the event for the first time with family members coming from out of town.

"The entry fee for the run is not going to be a huge deal," she said. "It's a small price to be able to help."

Roseville's Eric Crawley, 40, said a co-worker helped convince him to try the race. He plans to take part with five relatives, including his 9-year-old son, Jeriah.

"We do it because we love to help people," he said.

Carmichael's Joan Klein, 52, said she was participating for the first time because "I figured more people needed it this year."

"Before, I thought it was mostly homeless, the bums, that really didn't want to do anything because there were plenty of jobs back then," she said. "But now there's not so much. I've got a friend that just lost everything."

For others it's part of a long-running tradition that includes running or walking in the race and then enjoying a few extra calories later in the day.

As she does every Thanksgiving morning, Sacramento's Mary Rimsans, 46, plans to walk in memory of Gaylord Walker, the man who founded the race in 1994 before he died of cancer at 50 in 1997.

"Just doing something good for the community," said Rimsans, who knew Walker and his wife, Martha. "You do (3.1) miles and you get to eat all the turkey and pie you want. Good stuff."

Rimsans marveled at how the race has grown from the field of 800 in 1994.

"Not only is it fun," she said, "you really do feel a sense of community when you're out there."

Call The Bee's John Schumacher, (916) 326-5523.