Lake Balboa Turkey Trot 2026 5K 10K 15K Half Marathon
Woodley Park, Van Nuys, Los Angeles – Thursday, November 26, 2026
Thanksgiving Day – 8:00 AM Start
The Lake Balboa Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving Day 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon at Woodley Park in the San Fernando Valley (Van Nuys / Lake Balboa), Los Angeles. Join us Thursday, November 26, 2026. The race starts at 8:00 AM, and race-morning check-in opens at 6:15 AM.
It's a friendly, relaxed way to start Thanksgiving, with a custom finisher medal, chip timing, live results and free race photos included. Runners and walkers of every level are welcome.
Register with raceascend.com or PayPal/Venmo or active.com button below. Please choose one registration method only. Thank you!
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It's time for the annual Lake Balboa Turkey Trot 5k, 10k, 15k, or Half Marathon on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day 11/26/26 in Woodley Park!
All bib pick up and race day instructions are below. Please review carefully!
This is an open course. Please be courteous to other pedestrians, runners, and cyclists on the path.
Course map: The course is super easy to follow.
Easy out and back course with one small hill about .6 miles from the start.
Aid station has water cups, water bottles, Gatorade cups, Gu gels.
5k (1 loop), 10k (2 loops), 15k (3 loops) with an aid station at every loop:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6600154
Half marathon is 3 x 4.36 mile loops with an aid station at every loop:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6442390159/
Time limit - 3:15. If more time is needed please email us at abetterworldrunning@gmail.com for early start.
* Everyone must run/walk through the pedestrian tunnel! Do not cross Woodley Ave!
Included in registration —
- custom finisher medals
- drawstring goodie bags
- free videos
- chip timing
- live results the moment you finish
- free photos found by your bib · cinematic race highlight reels · trophies & achievement badges as you hit milestones · your Ascend Index ranking across every race · Ascend Crew to follow friends & chase their times
- FREE A Better World Running APP to keep track of all your races, photos and videos
- assortment of snacks, samples
- friendly, relaxed, fun, and personal racing experience for all levels and abilities
- affordable cost and fun for the whole family!
- group discounts for 3 or more people discount auto applied on Race Ascend
- age group awards (picked up at a race only, will not be mailed)
- performance shirts available for additional purchase, not included in registration, shirts are $9.99 size XS-3XL, printed performance shirt (photo below)
Group discount for 4 or more people - email abetterworldrunning@gmail.com
Transfers only by emailing abetterworldrunning@gmail.com requesting a later date or transferring to another participant. There is a NO refund policy.
Bib Pick Up Options --
Wednesday 11/25 at Woodley Park - will confirm time by early Nov 2026
Thursday 11/26 6:15AM-7:50AM race morning. We will have 2 check in table areas, please choose the one closest to where you park
Google maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/mzH9zRXYYHJb6kxH8
Apple maps - 34.184231, -118.483318
6340 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Woodley Park Section 1 (Section 1 off of Woodley Ave just south of Victory Blvd.)
The check in tables are at the north end of the parking lots closest to Victory Blvd off of Woodley Ave. Please use either google or apple maps pin
Or dirt overflow parking lot --
Google maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UmiZ3CKhkpaTqrzF9
Apple maps - 34.185112, -118.485833
Bibs must be visible in front or there might not be photos or results recorded.
Start Time - 8:00AM
Date - Thursday, November 26th, 2026
Address - 6340 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Woodley Park Section 1 (Section 1 off of Woodley Ave just south of Victory Blvd.)
The check in tables are at the north end of the parking lots closest to Victory Blvd off of Woodley Ave.
Please see image below.
Google maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/mzH9zRXYYHJb6kxH8
Apple maps - 34.184231, -118.483318
Parking - Parking will start in the parking lots off of Woodley Ave. and Victory Blvd.
6340 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Woodley Park Section 1 (Section 1 off of Woodley Ave just south of Victory Blvd.)
The check in tables are at the north end of the parking lots closest to Victory Blvd off of Woodley Ave. Please use either google or apple maps pin
Additional parking is available in the dirt overflow parking lot on the other side of Woodley Ave. near the golf course. Please review image below.
Dirt overflow parking lot --
Google maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UmiZ3CKhkpaTqrzF9
Apple maps - 34.185112, -118.485833
EVERYONE MUST FINISH THROUGH THE TUNNEL. PLEASE DO NOT CROSS WOODLEY AVE. PLEASE USE THE PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL
Race day registration - CC, Cash, ApplePay, Venmo, Zelle or PayPal -- 5k $35, 10k $40, 15k $45, half marathon $50 (without shirts)
Lake Balboa Turkey Trot FAQ
When and where is the Lake Balboa Turkey Trot?
Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day) at Woodley Park Section 1, 6340 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa (Van Nuys), Los Angeles, CA 91406, just south of Victory Blvd. The race starts at 8:00 AM.
What distances and courses are offered?
We offer a 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon on an easy out-and-back course with one small hill about 0.6 miles from the start. The 5K is 1 loop, the 10K is 2 loops and the 15K is 3 loops. The half marathon is 3 loops of 4.36 miles. Every loop has an aid station with water cups, water bottles, Gatorade cups and Gu gels. This is an open course, so please be courteous to other pedestrians, runners and cyclists. Everyone must run or walk through the pedestrian tunnel and must not cross Woodley Ave.
How much does it cost to register?
Early-bird online registration through October 27 is $29.99 for the 5K, $34.99 for the 10K, $39.99 for the 15K and $44.99 for the half marathon. After that, online prices are $34.99 for the 5K, $39.99 for the 10K, $44.99 for the 15K and $50 for the half marathon. Race-day registration is $35 for the 5K, $40 for the 10K, $45 for the 15K and $50 for the half marathon (without shirts), paid by credit card, cash, Apple Pay, Venmo, Zelle or PayPal. An optional printed performance shirt is $9.99 (XS-3XL) and is not included in registration.
What is included in registration?
A custom finisher medal, chip timing, live results the moment you finish, a drawstring goodie bag, snacks and samples, free race photos found by your bib number, cinematic race highlight reels, free videos and the free A Better World Running app. Groups of 3 or more get an automatic discount on Race Ascend, and families of 4 or more can email abetterworldrunning@gmail.com for our special Thanksgiving family rate, paid in one payment by Venmo or Zelle. Age group awards are picked up at the race only and are not mailed.
When and where is bib pickup?
Wednesday, November 25 at Woodley Park (time will be confirmed in early November), or race morning, Thursday, November 26, from 6:15 AM to 7:50 AM. There are two check-in table areas at the north end of the parking lots closest to Victory Blvd off Woodley Ave. Choose the one closest to where you park. Bibs must be visible on the front of your shirt, or photos and results may not be recorded.
Where do I park?
Parking is free. Park in the lots off Woodley Ave and Victory Blvd at Woodley Park Section 1. Additional parking is available in the dirt overflow lot on the other side of Woodley Ave near the golf course.
Can I get a refund or transfer my registration?
There is a no refund policy. You can transfer your registration to a later date or to another participant by emailing abetterworldrunning@gmail.com.
Is there a time limit, and are walkers welcome?
The time limit is 3 hours 15 minutes. If you need more time, email abetterworldrunning@gmail.com to arrange an early start. The race is friendly and relaxed, with a personal racing experience for all levels and abilities, and walkers are welcome.