The largest number of runners since before the pandemic, more than 11,000 people, were signed up to burn some major calories before diving into their Thanksgiving Day plans and feasts.
The 47th Dana Point Turkey Trot, a favorite of many of these themed races and a USA Track and Field sanctioned and certified event, got underway at 7 a.m., with the classic 10K kicking off as the first of several races, which included two 5Ks, a combo 15K, and the always popular kids 1-mile Gobble Wobble.
Katie Estorga, left, and Jeremy Estorga, carry a fake turkey as they run the 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners head over the Island Way bridge during a 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners start a 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parker Reves, 3, smiles as he takes a picture with Drumstick, the mascot of the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kaitlyn Tuttle celebrates as she starts a 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Katie Camarena is the first female finisher in the 10k race with a time of 32:57 during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Medals for the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners start the 5k race wearing inflatable velociraptor costumes after competing in the costume contest during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Seth Heitzig high-fives Drumstick, the mascot for the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A runner in the 5k race during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Knox Read, left, and Gemma Read keep an eye out for their husband/father during the 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Arturs Medveds finishes first in the 10k race with a time of 29:24 during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Roosevelt Cook heads towards the finish line of the 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners start the Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An Nguyen, dressed as The Very Hungry Caterpillar cheers as they win first place in the group costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lyla Barris, 8, dressed as a chef, pretends to baste her sister, Ava Barris, 7, dressed as a turkey, during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Julianne Choy, right, and Makoa Choy, 8, cheer for Aiden Choy during a 5k race at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners start a 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A dog waits for its owner at the port-a-potties during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nathaniel Serslev, left, Carole Ann Van Dyke, Bruce Brenon and Liberty Lowe run the 5k race during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Henley Johnson, 10 months, laughs as her mother, Gracie Johnson, enters her in the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners start a 5k race during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners start the Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A youngster runs the Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble during the costume contest at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mathilde Musquin waves to the crowd as she runs the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runners in a 5k race at the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 27
Katie Estorga, left, and Jeremy Estorga, carry a fake turkey as they run the 10k race during the 47th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The festive community event draws competitive runners and those who want to have a good time with family and friends on the holiday. The races are held on a fast, flat course that runs through Dana Point Harbor and out to the sand at Doheny State Beach. All races start and finish at the harbor’s entrance.
Prize money is awarded to the first, second, and third-place male and female finishers in the 10K race. Many runners dressed in costumes and awards were given to the best kid, adult and group costumes.
Over the years, the Turkey Trot has raised more than half a million dollars for local nonprofit organizations. This year, some of the proceeds will go to the Ocean Institute and Soroptimist International of Capistrano Bay. Event organizers also teamed up with the Giving Machine, which will match all online donations.
Leave a Reply