Thanksgiving Turkey Trots 2019: Guide To Best In California

CALIFORNIA — The festive "gobble-wobbles" — Thanksgiving Day turkey trots — continue to grow in popularity in cities big and small throughout California.

The races vary, and many are family-friendly with costumes contests, "Little Turkey" runs, kids' activities and various charities and causes attached as beneficiaries.

If this is your family's standing tradition, view 2019 dates, times and registration information, as some have limited space or discounts for early sign-ups. And if not a tradition in your home, give it a thought. ... Something new for your Thanksgiving holiday?

Do note event dates, however, as not all races and fun-runs occur on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.

Scroll though our annual guide, find a turkey trot near you, and Happy Thanksgiving from Patch!

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ANAHEIM:

NOV. 28: Plymouth Rock ‘n’ Run Turkey Trot. Event includes kids' fun run, tot trot and dog walk, and supports spinal-cord injury research.

• Yorba Regional Park, 7600 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA, 92807

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run 2019: Angel Stadium. Family-friendly with costume contest.

• Angel Stadium, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA

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BELMONT SHORE:

NOV. 28: Long Beach Turkey Trot & Kids' Wingding. Popular community event & benefit, sponsored in part by Justin Rudd team, that draws thousands.

• Boat Launch, 1 Granada Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803

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BENICIA:

NOV. 28: Annual 'Hand Up' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Supporting Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation assisting cancer patients."

• Benicia Community Park, 540 Rose Drive in Benicia, California

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BIG BEAR LAKE:

NOV. 28: Big Bear Turkey Trot. Festive event with prizes for costumes, yoga & cupcakes!

• Meadow Park, 41276 Park Ave, Big Bear Lake, California 92315

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BURBANK:

NOV. 28: YMCA Turkey Trot. "All proceeds support the Y’s Financial Assistance Program."

• Burbank Community YMCA, 321 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, California 91502

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CLAREMONT:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and 1K Kid’s Fun Run. "Serious runners and families alike enjoy this event." Sponsored by Claremont Sunrise Rotary.

• Claremont Village, Near train depot, 1st Street and Harvard Avenue, Claremont, CA.

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CONCORD:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot 5K/10K & Kids Dash. A Thanksgiving Day tradition that supports Compassion Outreach!

• Todos Santos Plaza, Downtown Concord, CA

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CORONADO:

NOV. 28: Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary's Turkey Trot. " We welcome runners, strollers (both kinds) and walkers!"

• Tidelands Park, 2000 Mullinex Drive, Coronado, CA 92118

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DANA POINT:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot & Kids' Gobble Wobble. A community tradition in its 42nd year.

• Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point, CA

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DAVIS:

NOV. 23: 32nd Annual Turkey Trot. With post-race fest & activities for kids.

• Civic Center Park, 599 B St, Davis, California 95616

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DEL MAR:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Puppy Race 2019: Fairgrounds. "Morning also includes free Yum Yum Donuts, face painting, crafts and a Helen Woodward puppy race."

• Del Mar Racing, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, California 92014

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EL SOBRANTE:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble. With 5K, 10K and kids' fun run.

• San Pablo Reservoir, 7301 San Pablo Dam Rd, El Sobrante, CA

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ENCINITAS:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot & Costume Contest - Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy spectacular view of the coast along the way.

• Downtown Encinitas, Highway 101, Encinitas, CA

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FAIRFIELD:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Day Solano Turkey Trot. race fun includes food, info booths & awards.

• Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Rd, Fairfield, California 94534

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FALLBROOK:

NOV. 28: Village Rotary Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K. A fun family tradition on Thanksgiving morning!

• Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens, 220 Grand Tradition Way, Fallbrook, CA 92028

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4S RANCH:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Thank You Run 5K & Kids' Run. A fundraiser for Helen’s Closet and San Diegans suffering with ALS.

• 4S Ranch Community Park, 16118 4S Ranch Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92127

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FREMONT:

NOV. 24: Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary's Turkey Trot. "Special race in honor of the rescued turkeys at the sanctuary."

• Quarry Lakes, 2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont, CA 94536

NOV. 30: Quarry Lakes Turkey Runs & Little Turkey Race. Dress in turkey gear to fit right in for the family fun.

• Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area, 2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont, California 94536

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FRESNO:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot. With costume contest & family fun.

• Woodward Park Mountain View Shelter, 7775 N. Friant Road, Fresno, CA 93720

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GILROY:

NOV. 28: Las Madres Annual Turkey Day Tot Trot 5K. "Run, walk, bike or stroll!"

• Gilroy Sports Complex, Gilroy, California 95020

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HEALDSBURG:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot. Proceeds support Drew Esquivel Scholarship.

• Healdsburg Running Company, 333 Center St., Healdsburg, California 95448

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HUNTINGTON BEACH:

NOV. 28: 10th Annual Turkey Wobble. Great time that funds worldwide clean-water issues.

• Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach, CA

NOV. 29: Turkey Trot 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon. Small, informal event with a beautiful course.

• Bolsa Chica Beach Path, 17398 N. Pacific Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92649

NOV. 30: Orange Coast Musical Art's Cornucopia 5K. Run a lovely route for a very good cause.

• Central Park, 18381 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

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IRVINE:

NOV. 28: OC Turkey Trot & Kids' Dash. "Invite the whole gang and make it a holiday tradition!"

• Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618

NOV. 28: Annual TVT Cares 5k & 1k Turkey Trot. Sponsored by Tarbut V'Torah Community Day School with proceeds to feed the hungry.

• Tarbut V'Torah Community Day School, 5 Federation Way, Irvine, California 92603

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LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Mile. A community favorite for two decades.

• Memorial Park, 1301 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

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LA QUINTA:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trottin' on the Trails 2019: Bear Creek Trail. On a beautiful course of desert landscape.

• Bear Creek Trail, Montezuma and Chillon, La Quinta, CA 92253

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LAFAYETTE:

NOV. 24: 44rd Annual Turkey Trot Trail Run 2019: Briones. A pre-Thanksgiving challenge.

• Briones Regional Park, Bear Creek Staging Area, 16 Bear Creek Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549

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LAKE ELSINORE:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving 2019: Diamond Stadium. Costumes encouraged, and admission is free.

• Levee of the Diamond Stadium, 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore, CA

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LONG BEACH:

NOV. 28: Long Beach Turkey Trot & Kids' Wingding. Popular community event & benefit, sponsored in part by Justin Rudd team, that draws thousands.

• Boat Launch, 1 Granada Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803

NOV. 28: Charlie Alewine Turkey Trot at the Marina. Course takes runners on city streets, around a lake and provides ocean views.

• Across from Marina Vista Park, 5200 E. Eliot St., Long Beach, CA 92803

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LOS ANGELES:

NOV. 23: LA Tofurky Trot 5K 2019: Griffith Park. Kids & dogs welcomed, plus costume contests.

• Griffith Park, Crystal Springs Recreation Area, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027

NOV. 28: 7th Annual Turkey Trot 2019: Downtown. Thousands will particpate in event that benefits the Midnight Mission.

• City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

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MENLO PARK:

NOV. 17: Fit Kids Turkey Dash. With vendor fair & activities for kids.

• Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park, California

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MORAGA:

NOV. 28: Moraga Country Club Turkey Trot. "Contributions go to the Food Banks of Contra Costa & Solano Counties."

• Moraga Counry Club, 1600 St. Andrews Drive, Moraga, CA

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

NOV. 28: 10th Annual Spartan Turkey Trot. Start day with run/walk on city streets & around school track.

• Mountain View High School track,3535 Truman Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040

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NAPA:

NOV. 28: Napa Valley Turkey Chase. Also includes a kids' dash with prizes.

• Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Napa, CA

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NORTH HOLLYWOOD:

NOV. 28: Hope Of Valley Thanksgiving Drumstick Dash. Supports Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission. "Move Your Feet So Others Can Eat!"

• Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601

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NOVATO:

NOV. 28: Bank of Marin Turkey Trot. Register soon before it sells out.

• 1800 Ignacio Blvd., Novato, CA 94949

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OAKLAND:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot 2019: Lake Merritt. "Fun way to give back while you give thanks."

• Lake Merritt Pergola, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94610-3612

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OCEANSIDE:

NOV. 28: Annual Turkey Trot 5-Mile & 5K Run/Walk. "Recognized as one of the top trots in the country."

• Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, California 92054

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ORANGE:

NOV. 9: Turkeys on Trails & Kids' Run 2019: Irvine Regional Park. Includes Little Turkeys' 1-mile run, too.

• Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, California 92869

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PACIFIC PALISADES:

NOV. 28: Palisades Funding Turkey Trot 5K & 10K. "Have a fantastic experience and STILL make it home in time to enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving Day!"

• Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin St., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

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PACIFICA:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving FundRacer Relay. Teams of two to four run a total of four miles. Kids welcomed!

• Terra Nova High School Track, 1450 Terra Nova Blvd. Pacifica, CA 94044

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PALM DESERT:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Day 5K Benefiting Martha's Village & Kitchen. Festive, family-friendly and for a great cause - helping the less fortunate and feeding the hungry.

• El Paseo and San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert, CA

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PALM SPRINGS:

NOV. 28: Wild Turkey Trot 5K - Thanksgiving Day. Turkey hat & other swag for finishers. Partial proceeds go to Meals on Wheels.

• 100 S. Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92262-6304

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PASADENA:

NOV. 28: 2nd Annual Rose Bowl Turkey Trot. A morning run, walk or trot for all ages on a lovely course.

• Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, California 91103

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PERRIS:

NOV. 16: MVRRC 6th Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Kids' Dash. Run the dam!

• Lake Perris State Recreation, 17801 Lake Perris Perris, CA 92571

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PETALUMA:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot & Food Drive. "Now located on the amazing trails that wind through Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility."

• Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility, 3890 Cypress Drive, Petaluma, CA

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PIEDMONT:

NOV. 28: 2019 Turkey Trot. A beloved event. Sign up soon.

• Highland and Magnolia Avenues, Piedmont, CA

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PLEASANTON:

NOV. 28: Tri-Valley Turkey Burn. A community tradition for the region!

• Ken Mercer Sports Park, 5800 Parkside Drive, Pleasanton, CA

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RANCHO BERNARDO:

NOV. 28: Paul Poulson Turkey Trot 2019: Lake Hodges. A run for health cause.

• Lake Hodges, Rancho Bernardo, Ca.

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RANCHO MISSION VIEJO:

NOV. 28 Turkey Trot On The Ranch. "A 5K and 1K Little Gobbler’s run in the majestic topography of Rancho Mission Viejo."

The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, 29201 Ortega Hwy, 92694

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REDLANDS:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot 5K & Kids' Fun Run. Proceeds benefit charities.

• Sylvan Park, 601 N. University St., Redlands, CA 92374

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RICHMOND:

NOV. 28: Nitro Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Little Turkeys Run. Walkers welcomed, and so are costumes!

• Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond, California 94801

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RIVERSIDE:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot & Mini-Trot For Kids. This one features a costume contest!

• Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd., Riverside, CA 92501

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SACRAMENTO:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Run to Feed the Hungry. "The largest Thanksgiving Day fun run in the country!"

• Starts on J Street,west of entrance to Sacramento State campus, Sacramento, CA

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SAN BERNARDINO:

NOV. 28: 5th Annual Turkey Trot. A flat, scenic race featuring a 10K and 5K family fun run.

• San Bernardino International Airport, 105 N. Leland Norton Way, San Bernardino, CA 92408

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SAN DIEGO:

NOV. 28: Run for the Hungry 5K & 10K. "Families, dogs and festive costumes are welcome!"

• Broadway Circle Turnaround Outside Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA

NOV. 28: Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving 5K 2019: Balboa Park. Family-and pet-friendly event on a lovely setting. Plus it's an awesome fundraiser.

• Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, California 92101

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SAN DIMAS:

NOV. 23: Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Kids' Run. "Everyone gets pumpkin pie at the finish line!"

• Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, 120 Vía Verde San Dimas, CA 91773

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SAN GABRIEL:

NOV. 16: Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. Run or walk, and bring the kids!

• Vincent Lugo Park, 1305 Prospect Ave., San Gabriel, California 91776

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SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 28: SF Turkey Trot 2019: Golden Gate Park. With Trail Trot, Pilgrim Promenade & super cute Kids' Gobbler Chase.

• Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California 94117

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SAN JOSE:

NOV. 28: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot. "The biggest Thanksgiving Day block-party in the country!"

• Arena Green, North Autumn St., San Jose, CA US 95113

NOV. 28: Zoom Turkey Trot 2019: Hellyer County Park. Along the popular Coyote Creek trail.

• Hellyer County Park 985 Hellyer Ave, San Jose, CA 95111

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SAN LEANDRO:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Workout & Turkey Trot. "All fitness levels are welcome."

• The Inner Athlete, 685 E 14th St, San Leandro, California 94577

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SAN MATEO:

NOV. 28: Gobble Wobble - Thanksgiving 2019: Coyote Point Park. Includes kids' dash, and new this year is a 1-mile event.

• Coyote Point Park, 1701 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401

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SANTA CRUZ:

NOV. 23: Turkey Trot. With scenic ocean route.

• UCSC Extension, 2300 Delaware Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95064

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SANTA MONICA:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. An informal event on the beach path.

• Near Crescent Bay Park, 2000 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA

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SCOTTS VALLEY:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Day Run for Pie 2019. Pumpkin pie at the finish line.

• Sky Park, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

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SEAL BEACH:

NOV. 23: Turkey Trot & Fun Run 2019: Main Street. An inaugural event! Sign up now, as space is limited.

• Main Street, Seal Beach, CA

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SIMI VALLEY:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Day 5K. Start the day with trot around beautiful Arroyo Creek.

• Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93065

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SOUTH EL MONTE:

NOV. 16: Turkey Dash 5K Run/Walk & 1K Trot. Sign-ups underway!

• City of South El Monte, 1415 Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte, California 91733

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 16: Thanksgiving 5K Fun Run. Pre-Thanksgiving, and you can walk or run the course.

• 340 Point San Bruno, South San Francisco, California 94080

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THOUSAND OAKS:

NOV. 28: Conejo Valley YMCA Turkey Day Dash. With costume contest & kids' race.

• California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

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TORRANCE:

NOV. 28: Turkey Trot Fun Run. "Join us for the 40th Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot 3-Mile Fun Run on Thanksgiving morning."

• Sam's Club, 2601 Skypark Drive, Torrance, California 90505

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TUSTIN:

NOV. 28: O.C. Rescue Turkey Trot. "Proceeds from the 5K provide meals for the hungry and homeless of Orange County."

• Orange County Rescue Mission, 1 Hope Dr, Tustin, California 92782

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UPLAND:

NOV. 28: Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Kiddy Trot. Funds support Upland High School’s Boys and Girls Cross Country Team.

• San Antonio Park, Mountain Avenue & 24th Street, Upland, Ca

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VACAVILLE:

NOV. 28: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Pumpkin Pie Feast. Finishers rewarded with all the pumpkin pie they can eat!

• Centennial Park, 505-523 Browns Valley Pkwy, Vacaville, CA 95688

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VAN NUYS:

NOV. 28: Lake Balboa Turkey Trot & Kids' 1K Gobble-Gobble. With after-race festivities & medals for the little ones.

• Woodley Park, 6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91316

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VENTURA:

NOV. 28: Annual Turkey Trot. "Awards, Booths, Food, and Jolly Jumps for the Kids provide a fun time for all."

• Ventura Auto Center, Hofer Drive, Ventura, CA

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WALNUT:

NOV. 28: Annual Thanksgiving Turkey 5K & Kiddie Run. Fun includes sack races & pie-eating contest.

• Creekside Park, 780 Creekside Drive, Walnut, CA 91789

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WALNUT CREEK:

NOV. 28: 2019 Forma Gym Turkey Trot. A beautiful, flat terrain, and a race that benefits the community.

• Forma Gym Walnut Creek Turkey Trot, Civic Park, Walnut Creek, California 94596

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If we missed your organization's Turkey Trot, please email details and online links to susan.schena@patch.com.