5K races near Malibu

The Mean Girls 5K, 10K and Half Marathon transforms the LA River Path into North Shore High for a comedy-themed running event in Canoga Park. This race is part of Jed and Ted's Excellent Races, a San Fernando Valley series focused on '80s and '90s movie and TV themes, offering a relaxed, low-stress atmosphere rather than a large-city marathon feel. Participants can select a 5K, 10K, or half marathon, with the themed setup accommodating casual runners, local regulars, and those seeking a longer distance. The primary course begins in Canoga Park, following the paved LA River path. The 10K is an out-and-back covering approximately three miles of continuous path without any traffic crossings. 5K participants utilize a portion of this route, while half marathoners complete the course twice with an additional section. Refreshments are available at the start line and the 5K turnaround. The decorations are understated but align with the theme, the medals are unique to each race, and the finish area is relaxed, allowing runners to converse with race directors and begin recognizing other participants over time.

The Reyes Adobe Days “RAD” 5K is a short road race in Agoura Hills, California. The start and finish are at Whizin Market Square on Roadside Drive. It is paired with a kids’ mile, accommodating runners seeking a quick 5K and families with younger finishers. The 5K follows a flat, fast, previously certified course, suitable for pacing or aiming for a strong time. Age-group awards are presented three deep with custom medals. Kids’ mile finishers also receive custom medals, and a portion of the race proceeds benefits a designated charity.

The Palos Verdes Trails 5K is a trail run and walk held at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates. The route utilizes the Palos Verdes horse trails, avoiding paved roads and street crossings. The course consists of well-maintained dirt paths across gently rolling terrain, shaded by eucalyptus trees. Funds raised benefit Strides in Recovery, a local nonprofit assisting individuals in Los Angeles County addiction treatment programs with goal-setting and physical conditioning, from 5K distances to marathons.

Spooky Dam is a Halloween-season running series at Hansen Dam in Los Angeles, offering 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon distances. Races begin in the morning and are organized by A Better World Running. Costumes are encouraged, making it a more casual and playful event than a standard road race. The start and finish are located on the path opposite Hansen Dam Skate Park, with free parking available in a nearby lot. The course is an open out-and-back route where runners share the path with pedestrians, other runners, and cyclists. It's straightforward to navigate, featuring a single small hill around 0.6 miles from the start. An aid station on each loop provides water, Gatorade, and Gu gels. The 5k completes one loop, the 10k two, the 15k three, and the half marathon consists of three 4.36-mile loops. Participants receive custom medals, goodie bags, complimentary photos and videos, snacks, and results posted online within 12 to 24 hours.

The Boyle Heights 5K Run/Walk is a community race in Los Angeles, starting and finishing at Mariachi Plaza. Participants cover 3.1 miles in the 5K event, which takes place in October with a morning start and late-morning finish. The day includes more than just the main 5K. A Munchkin Run is available for younger children, and a Classic Car Show is part of the gathering, contributing to a neighborhood feel rather than a standard road race. The Mariachi Plaza start and finish locate the race in one of Boyle Heights’ most recognizable public spaces.

The Back to the Future: 88 MPH Dash is a themed running event in Canoga Park, California, starting at 7:00 a.m. PST with three in-person distances: a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Jed & Ted’s Excellent Races presents the series. Runners unable to attend in person may select a virtual option, the Multiverse Flux Capacitor Challenge. The race embraces Back to the Future and 1980s pop culture. The 5K is the 88 MPH Sprint, the 10K is the Twin Pines 10K, honoring the mall from the films, and the half marathon is the Enchantment Under the Run Half Marathon. The event acknowledges Back to the Future Day, plays 80s music, provides themed photo areas with futuristic props, and encourages period or character costumes.

The Sharsheret West Coast Dash offers a 5K and 10K run/walk at Dockweiler Beach in Los Angeles, with the race taking place at 12000 Vista Del Mar. The event is set for a Sunday morning in October. The 5K begins at 7:00 AM, followed by the 10K at 8:00 AM. The format allows participants to select either the 5K or 10K distance. Runners and walkers will assemble at a prominent Los Angeles beach location near Playa del Rey. Registration is managed via RunSignup. This event is part of the Sharsheret West Coast Dash series.

Costumes are the first thing you notice at the Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles Halloween Half Marathon & 5K: runners show up as skeletons, superheroes, rodeo clowns, and stranger things. The race is a road event in Los Angeles, run in October, with a mostly flat half marathon and a shorter 5K for people who want the Halloween crowd without the full 13.1 miles. The half marathon starts and finishes at L.A. Live, near the arena long associated with the Lakers, and uses two out-and-back sections. One leg heads south toward Exposition Park, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the edge of the USC campus; the other goes north and west through downtown, MacArthur Park, and Koreatown before turning back near the Miracle Mile. Half marathoners get four hours to finish, measured by personal chip time.

The Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K is a run or walk for dogs and their handlers in Griffith Park, beginning at the Park Center Picnic Area at 8:30 AM. LA Frontrunners organizes this event to raise funds for Angel City Pit Bulls and The Rescue Train. The focus is on participants running with their dogs, as well as those aiming for a fast 5K time. The course consists of a single packed-dirt loop around the golf course via the Main Trail. Awards are presented to the top three overall teams based on the human runner's gender category. Pup divisions are determined by the dog's weight. A virtual option is available, with shirts and medals mailed to participants unable to attend in person. The event maintains records of past results, photos, and Griffith Park course records for both human-only and dog-and-human categories.

Los Muertos 5K starts at 8:00 a.m. on Main Street inside El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument, with Olvera Street as the race-day hub in downtown Los Angeles. It is a 5K run/walk tied to Día de los Muertos, so the morning includes face painting before and after the start, bib pickup in the center plaza, and awards later in the morning. Runners can pick up packets ahead of race day at Angel City Brewery or on race morning at Historic Olvera Street, and there is no bag drop, so valuables need to stay with the runner, in the car, or at home. The course leaves the oldest section of Los Angeles, runs through lower Chinatown, turns onto Alameda Street toward Los Angeles State Historic Park, crosses the Los Angeles River, and turns around at 19th Ave. The return gives runners a downtown skyline view before a slight uphill finish back at Olvera Street. Past results and photos are posted online, which gives the event a visible history beyond the current race. Union Station’s Gateway Center Plaza Garage is the main parking option listed for participants, with another garage on Commercial Street close to Olvera Street.

The Las Calaveritas 10 Miler is a road race in Los Angeles, located at Hansen Dam and scheduled near Día de los Muertos. Participants can choose from three distances: a 10-mile race, a 5-mile race, and a 5K run/walk. All races begin in the morning; the 10-mile event has a three-hour start window, while the 5-mile and 5K have two-hour windows. The race combines the Day of the Dead celebration with distance running, accommodating both competitive runners and those walking in remembrance. The estimated 500 to 1,000 participants position it as a mid-sized local event. While the 10 Miler is the main event, the 5 Miler and 5K offer accessibility to newer runners, walkers, and groups at the Hansen Dam course.