Thanksgiving is upon us — and families and friends across Long Beach are getting ready for their beloved annual traditions, such as the annual Long Beach Turkey Trot.
Hundreds will gather at Rosie’s Dog Beach on Thursday morning, Nov. 27, to participate in the 23rd annual Long Beach Turkey Trot. This event is organized by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team and offers a 5K, 10K and Kids half-mile wingdig for people of all ages to run, or walk, before they head home to their Thanksgiving meals.
The race will kick off from the Granada Boat Launch Ramp at 1 S. Granada Ave., and travel down the coastline before turning around. The turnaround point will depend on the course length.
The Turkey Trot helps raise funds for the CAT, which puts on more than 25 annual events, including monthly beach cleanups, Long Beach Touch-A-Truck, the Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest, and more. The nonprofit focuses on events and projects that benefit Long Beach children, animals and the environment, according to its website.
Some of the runners and walkers wear holiday-themed costumes at the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, 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. 28, 2024, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A participant walks away with a well earned pumpkin pie after finishing the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Bederio family from Long Beach gets closer to the finish line and their holiday feast at the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, on the pedestrian path in Belmont Shore. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A few thousand runners and walkers participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Some of the runners and walkers wear holiday-themed costumes at the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
This year’s event is sponsored by the Port of Long Beach, EDCO Disposal, Councilmember Kristina Duggan, and Swinerton.
Registration for the 5K/10K costs $50 until Tuesday, Nov. 25, and fees will rise to $55 and be cash-only at packet pickup and day of the event. Similarly, the kids’ course costs $35, and will be cash-only at packet pickup day of.
Participants can pick up their race packets at 1 S. Granada Ave. from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, and on Thanksgiving morning after 6:30 a.m.
The Turkey Trot also serves as a food bank collection center, according to Rudd’s website. Participants are asked to consider bringing non-perishable foods – such as canned goods, peanut butter and cereal – to the event.
The food collected will be donated to the AIDS Food Store, a local food bank that provides meals for people in need, people living with HIV/AIDS, and the LGBTQ+ community in the greater Long Beach area.
Participants get a chance to receive a reward as well. Every 15th person to cross the finish line may receive a whole holiday pie – a longstanding tradition at the Turkey Trot.
If participating in the run/walk isn’t calling to you this year, the Long Beach Turkey Trot is also looking for volunteers to help with activities such as setup, registration and staffing water stations along the route. Volunteer spots are open for Wednesday and Thursday.
For more information about the Long Beach Turkey Trot or to sign up to volunteer, visit justinrudd.com/trot.html.