5K races near Moorpark

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.

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 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 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.

The Malibu Half Marathon begins and ends at Zuma Beach, with the primary race situated along Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway. This event takes place over a weekend in November in Malibu, California. The main event is a half marathon, supported by a 5K, a children's run, and a combined option for participants wishing to compete in multiple events. The half-marathon course is USATF-certified, offering runners aiming for a specific time a validated 13.1-mile route. The half marathon follows an out-and-back path, with the ocean on one side and mountains on the other, featuring a total elevation gain of 378 feet. The 5K takes place before the half marathon, starting and finishing at Zuma Beach. The children's race is a half-kilometer run for participants aged 4 to 10. All finishers receive medals. Those completing the 5K and half marathon combo earn three medals. A VIP charity half-marathon entry allocates a portion of the fee to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. The event promotes itself as the first PCH Malibu running event, with the weekend focused on coastal running, wellness, and community, not solely on the half-marathon participants.

The 310K Run/walk, powered by Leslie Cohen Law, is an annual 5K fundraiser held in Santa Monica, California. Participants can join in person or virtually. The race begins on Ocean Avenue near the beach. Its name is a nod to the local 310 area code, encouraging a 3.10-mile run or walk within the 310 area. Scheduled just before Thanksgiving week, it serves as a brief holiday-season activity, not a demanding long-distance event. The course is situated near Santa Monica beach and has reverted to the California Incline, following a popular adjustment. Leslie Cohen Law PC organizes this event, now in its 15th year, attracting many participants who return annually. Funds raised benefit Public Counsel’s Debtor Assistance Project, providing free legal aid to underserved communities, and Streets Are For Everyone, an organization focused on bike and pedestrian safety. All speeds are welcome, from those aiming for a fast 5K time to groups walking together to support the causes.

The Turkey Day Trot begins and ends at Crescent Bay Park on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. The event features a 5K Stride for Peace, a Family 1-Miler, and a Kids Dash on Thanksgiving morning. It is an untimed community run organized by the City of Santa Monica, emphasizing movement over competition. Check-in and bib pickup occur on event morning before the early start. The shorter distances are designed for children, grandparents, strollers, pets, walkers, and runners of all abilities. The route follows the Santa Monica Beach Path along the shoreline, offering ocean views. A water stop is located at North Beach Playground, with marked turnaround points before returning to Crescent Bay Park. All participants receive a finisher medal. The event also provides free photos, music, refreshments, and a festival at the finish line. The race collaborates with Merge Opportunities, a Long Beach nonprofit focused on employment, education, and empowerment, with an option for participants to donate during registration. The Stride for Peace also partners with Remembering Lala, an initiative that honors victims of domestic violence and supports awareness for survivors.

The Ojai Family Fund Turkey Trot is a 3-mile fun run at Nordhoff High School in Ojai, beginning at 8 a.m. This Thanksgiving community race allows participants to compete seriously or to jog and walk for enjoyment. The event benefits the Ojai Family Fund, supporting low-income families within the Ojai Unified School District and promoting educational equity. Costumes are encouraged, allowing for a mix of competitive runners, families, and individuals enjoying a relaxed holiday morning.

Turkey Trot Chicago is a Thanksgiving race series in Chicago offering four distances: 5k, 10k, 15k, and a half marathon. It is structured as a holiday race day, allowing participants to select a distance ranging from a short, family-friendly run to a more challenging half marathon. The event features a kids run, integrating it into the Thanksgiving traditions for families alongside adult runners. The race day embraces the holiday theme with a festive atmosphere and a post-race gathering, giving it the feel of a seasonal event rather than a standard road race.

Drumstick Dash LA is a Thanksgiving Day 5K and 10K in Los Angeles County, featuring an officially certified course and approximately 8,000 participants. Hope the Mission bills it as the county’s largest 5K/10K, supported by over 250 volunteers. It accommodates serious runners seeking a measured race while also welcoming families beginning the holiday together. The day starts with the children’s “Lil” Gobblers race at 7:45 am, followed by the main dash. The event benefits Hope the Mission, with proceeds designated for providing around 3 million meals, encapsulated by the phrase “move their feet, so others can eat.” Participants receive a shirt and finisher medal, with awards presented. Additional Thanksgiving activities include a costume contest, dance contest, freebies, and an ABC7 Street Team photo booth offering swag.