The annual Turkey Trot was nearly stopped before it began this year when criminals broke into the race?s storage area and took supplies.

The Thanksgiving Day tradition has become a major part of many communities. The Gail Gorin Memorial 5K in Smithtown drew in more than 1,000 runners Thursday morning to raise money for leukemia research.

Race director Michael Kerper said he was thrilled with the turnout, but he said the robbery nearly prevented the race from happening.

?They took our medals that we give away to the winners and took a whole bunch of oranges and bananas,? Kerper said. He said the food comes in handy because the race can have a turnout of up to 1,300 people.

The thieves also stole water from Smithtown Elementary School, where the supplies were being stored. This proved to be a large problem due to the warmer than usual temperatures experienced this holiday.

?A lot of people really need the water when they finish the race, so it?s good to have it at the finish line,? said Erin-Kate Aleksak, the women?s winner of the race.

In spite of the setbacks, the Kerpers said the race was a success, raising about $30,000 to benefit leukemia research.

Suffolk County Police are investigating what they said are promising leads in the case.