Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot to Celebrate 10th Anniversary on Thanksgiving Day

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot Powered by Exela Technologies will return on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, to celebrate its 10th anniversary—and registration is now open.

“We are delighted to keep this amazing Palisades tradition alive, and the support has been incredible,” said David O’Connell, event co-founder and organizer. “We had hoped back in 2013 that this event would be a convenient, family-friendly way to start the holiday season here in the Palisades. It has once again exceeded all of our expectations.”

The event, O’Connell reported, is on pace to have “another record-breaking turnout,” with an anticipated field of 2,500 runners with thousands of spectators.

The trot—which has both a 5K and 10K option—will begin and finish at Palisades Charter High School at Stadium by the Sea, with a course that weaves through El Medio Bluffs.

“This year, the route will not include Temescal Canyon Road,” O’Connell explained. “The 10K runners will do a second loop through El Medio and enjoy the spectacular panoramic ocean views a second time. This decision was designed to minimize the impact on holiday travelers.”

There is also a Pacific Palisades Kids Race, which is open to participants ages 5 to 16.

Sponsors that are returning in 2024 include Exela Technologies, which is “powering the event with their corporate energy and their team of orange-clad runners,” as well as Equinox and two 76 gas stations owned by Robert Munakash.

Palisades Village will also return to host pack pick-up in the days before the event, on Monday, November 25; Tuesday, November 26; and Wednesday, November 27, in the Swarthmore Room from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Event organizers strongly urge runners to come to Palisades Village one of those days to pick up their gear early to avoid lines on Thanksgiving morning,” read the Turkey Trot website.

Each participant will receive a swag bag with an event T-shirt, a chip-timed bib and other gift items.

The event will benefit Los Angeles Fire Department Stations 23 and 69, as well as The Friendship Circle—“dedicated to enriching the lives of children of all abilities and their families,” according to organizers.

The Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot Powered by Exela Technologies will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. and end by 11 a.m.

For more information or to register, visit paliturkeytrot.com. Prices are set to increase after October 20.