John Hansen pushed. But Vacaville's Miguel Camarena pushed just a little bit harder.

Hansen, 31, tried to keep the lead but just as the two neared the end of the first Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot hosted at Solano Community College, Camarena's burst of speed propelled him across the finish line first with a 5-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 25 seconds.

Camarena, 22, who is just getting back into form after suffering an ankle injury in a motorcycle accident, said Hansen set the pace for him. Hansen was aware of Camarena, as well.

"I knew he was back there, " Hansen said. "He was good competition. I couldn't have been pushed by a better person."

Hansen and Camarena, who didn't know each other before the event, were just two of about 1,400 participants in the Solano Hearts United event, which began and ended on the SCC campus but wound through Suisun Valley.

Solano Hearts United is the joint force of five area nonprofit groups: Meals on Wheels, CASA of Solano County, the Children's Nurturing Project, Heather House and Mission Solano. The goal is to raise funds and increase awareness of the services they provide to local low-income, disadvantaged children, adults and seniors.

The Thanksgiving morning turnout exceeded their expectations, said Donna Quintero, volunteer coordinator for Mission Solano. They were hoping for 1,000 at the event that had something for everyone: a 10k run, 5k run and a 5k walk.

"We're extremely happy," she said of the effort, the result of 14 months of hard work.

Sarah Legg, 26, of Benicia, said if she wasn't out running she'd have been sleeping. But given that she's training for the Santa Barbara International Marathon, which is in a couple of weeks, she opted for a morning run.

"I just wanted to do something good before sitting down to a big meal," she said.

While runners made up a small core group of the crowd, many such as Fairfield resident Kate McBride,64, were just out to participate in a worthwhile cause.

"I'm a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels (and it's) a cause that needs help," she said. "I thought the least I could do was walk. My running days are over."

"I'll probably be the last one across," she said with a laugh.

As for Hansen, he not only came out to run and give support, he came out to jusify eating more for Thanksgiving dinner.

"Extra mashed potatoes," he said, laughing.

But he added: "I came out here to have fun and support a good cause and a good town."