The third annual run to honor the memory of the owner of Lloyd’s Carrot Cake in Riverdale was held Thanksgiving morning in Van Cortlandt Park.

The Betty Campbell Adams 2K Cake Walk Run began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Campbell Adams helped spearhead the race in 2020.

"We were looking to have an event that would be both safe and maintain and build community. We talked to our friend Betty Campbell-Adams over at Lloyd's Carrot Cake and she said 'I'd love to get involved with the run. I'll start it and I'll provide the trophies,’ which of course are some delicious carrot cakes,” says race director John Kelly.

But the 2020 race was Campbell Adams’ first and last. She died just weeks after.

“And we knew immediately that we were going to have to keep this race going and name it in her honor,” Kelly says.

Participants say that the race is all about giving thanks and being surrounded by loved ones and the community.

The first, second and last place winners of the race all took home one of Campbell Adams’ famous carrot cakes as a prize.

“I felt pretty hyped about it in the first place,” says race winner Syuta Whitney.

But he says that Thursday’s race was not all about winning.

"I feel great for finishing the race. But I know it's not all about winning and sometimes you just got to try your best,” Whitney says.

Organizers are also collecting money and canned goods to donate to the Riverdale Neighborhood House this Thanksgiving.