49th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot
The 49th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Dana Point Harbor. 10K, three 5K waves, kids' 1-mile, and a costume contest.
Plan your visit
- When
- Thu Nov 26, 2026. 10K 7am; 5K 8:30/9:30/10am; Kids 10:30am.
- Where
- Dana Point Harbor. Packet pick-up at Dana Marina Plaza, 25001 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
- Admission
- 10K $54. 5K $48. Combo 10K + 5K $63. Kids' Gobble Wobble $25. Virtual 5K $45 (fees included).
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What It Is
The Dana Point Turkey Trot is the 49th annual Thanksgiving morning race at Dana Point Harbor, hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. The 2026 edition runs Thursday, November 26, with a 10K at 7 a.m., three 5K waves (8:30, 9:30, and a Walk the Trot at 10 a.m.), a kids' 1-Mile Gobble Wobble at 10:30 a.m., and a costume contest at 9 a.m. at the start line.
Why Go
Dana Point Harbor is one of the most scenic start-line settings in the OC race calendar, and the wave structure (three 5K times plus a dedicated walker wave) accommodates a range of paces without one giant corral. It is a long-running community tradition that pulls both competitive 10K runners and families doing the kids' mile. If you want a Thanksgiving-morning race that is neither an all-business road race nor a glorified parade, this is the balance.
What To Know Before You Go
Location: Dana Point Harbor. Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026. Start times: 10K 7 a.m.; 5K 8:30 a.m.; costume contest 9 a.m.; 5K 9:30 a.m.; 5K Walk the Trot 10 a.m.; Kids' 1-Mile Gobble Wobble (ages 2 to 12) 10:30 a.m. Price (fees included): 10K $54; 5K $48; Combo 10K + 5K $63; Kids' Gobble Wobble $25; Virtual 5K $45 (register by Nov 8 for the race-kit guarantee). Packet pick-up: Wed Nov 25, 12 to 6 p.m., and race day 6 to 11 a.m. at Dana Marina Plaza, 25001 Dana Point Harbor Dr. Getting there: free race-day shuttles 5:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. from Dana Hills High School (33333 Golden Lantern) and Costco San Juan Capistrano (33961 Doheny Park Rd), dropping at Del Prado and Golden Lantern. Free e-bike corral 6:30 to 11 a.m. Rules: no dogs on course; strollers at the back of the corral. Registration is non-refundable; event runs rain or shine. Pro tip: if you are running the 10K, the Costco San Juan Capistrano shuttle beats trying to park in the Harbor; the lots fill before 6 a.m.
The Honest Take
Harbor parking is the constraint, not the course. If you are not committed to a shuttle, plan to arrive before 6 a.m. The combo 10K plus 5K is a real workout, not a victory lap, so pick your 5K wave accordingly. The Kids' Gobble Wobble is popular with families and the Adult Gobble Buddy option (an adult runs the mile with a registered child, no chip timing) is the right ticket if you want to do the mile together.