Hundreds of families and friends kicked off their Thanksgiving festivities early with the 23rd annual Long Beach Turkey Trot.
Runners gathered at Rosie’s Dog Beach on Thursday morning, Nov. 27, to pound the pavement before heading home to enjoy their holiday meals. Many donned their best Thanksgiving ensembles — and several portrayed.
The popular event, organized by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team, had two start times – 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. – and offered 5K, 10K and kids half-mile routes for people of all ages to run, or walk, before they headed home to their Thanksgiving meals.
Runners and walkers, some in holiday-themed costumes, participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Brooke Birdsall of Lakewood walks away with a pumpkin pie after completing the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in Long Beach on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A few thousand runners and walkers participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, hosted by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team, in Long Beach on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners and walkers, some in holiday-themed costumes, participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants are in the holiday spirit at the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, hosted by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team, on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners in holiday-themed costumes take part in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants pose for a post-run photo at the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A few thousand runners and walkers participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners and walkers, some in holiday-themed costumes, participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners and walkers, some in holiday-themed costumes, participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners and walkers, some in holiday-themed costumes, participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A few thousand runners and walkers participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants cross the finish line at the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners and walkers take part in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners and walkers take part in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Young runners sprint in a kids race at the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in Long Beach on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A few thousand runners and walkers participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, hosted by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team, in Long Beach on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Runners and walkers, some in holiday-themed costumes, participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Turkey Trot helps raise funds for the CAT, which puts on more than 40 annual events, including monthly beach cleanups, Long Beach Touch-A-Truck, the Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest, and more. The event also served as a food drive for the AIDS Food Store in Long Beach, with participants encouraged to bring canned goods and other non-perishables.
Participants got a chance to receive a reward as well. Every 15th person to cross the finish line received a whole holiday pie – a longstanding tradition at the Turkey Trot – and a great way to start the Thanksgiving celebration.