Mystic – Raindrops mingled with perspiration on Thursday morning as hundreds of Type-A personalities took part in the 32nd annual Naik Family Branch YMCA’s annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and Dip.

There was a party-like atmosphere ahead of the start of the 3-mile race, which wound up and back on North, Niles and Quarry roads, with participants in turkey hats and reindeer antlers stretching and taking selfies as music blared from a registration area.

East Lyme resident Kristen Amick, a veteran turkey trotter, was accompanied by her two children, Christina, 11 – sporting a full turkey costume – and Wyatt, 8, both who took part in last year’s run.

As the trio prepared for the run’s 8:30 a.m. start time, a light drizzle began to fall, making the 43-degree morning a little more uncomfortable.

“Some years it can be very warm or freezing cold,” Kristen Amick said. “It’s a lot warmer today.”

YMCA Executive Director Yolla El-Khoury credited the race’s longevity and enduring popularity – more than 600 runners registered this year – to community enthusiasm.

“As long as we’re operating, we’ll keep going,” she said. “It’s a pretty easy run and a beautiful one. It’s all about fun with neighbors coming out to greet the runners as they pass.”

Katey Birtcher, who was visiting family in Gales Ferry, described herself a casual runner who’s taken part in the YMCA run about a dozen times.

“I tried to convince my husband to come out, but that didn’t happen,” she said. “There’s such an amazing energy here.”

About 15 minutes after the Village People’s “YMCA” anthem ended, marking the race’s start, the first wave of runners had already completed the race loop.

And that’s when participants had their big decision of the day to make: To dip or not to dip?

A pair of lifeguards stood on the sands of Williams Beach, where the gray waters of the Mystic River churned in the wind. Dozens of runners shucked off their shoes and running gear before plunging into the water, and in most cases, splashing right back out again.

McKenna Brady, 26, who was spending Thanksgiving with family in Stonington, dipped a tentative hand into the river (“informed pain,” she explained) before leaping in.

“I feel energized and ready for Thanksgiving,” Brady said as she toweled off.

Luke Mahoney, 26, a San Diego resident visiting his mother in Pawcatuck this week, casually ate a post-run banana as he waited for his sister to make her way to the beach.

“I’ll be going in,” he said. “It’s advertised as a dip, and I have a warm car waiting for me.”

j.penney@theday.com