About the 25th Annual Run for Hope Thanksgiving Day 5K
The course runs through Balboa Park, past the Cabrillo Bridge and along the streets surrounding the zoo. The terrain is mostly flat with a few gentle rolls as the route winds through the park's interior roads. It raises money for a local homeless services organization, which gives the morning a clear sense of purpose beyond just running.
Dogs and strollers are both welcome, though the organizers ask that those groups line up with the untimed wave rather than the timed start. Parking is available in the park's lots, with the caveat that several surrounding streets close during the race, so arriving early and checking the road closure pattern beforehand is worth the effort.
Free race emails
Get the Weekly RunSesh
In for this one or still deciding, keep race season near San Diego on your radar: a Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of the weekend's races.
Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Distances & Start Times
5K11/26/2026 07:15$50
5K11/26/2026 07:15$45
5K11/26/2026 07:15$35
Going for a Time?
Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.
Where to Stay
Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around San Diego — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.
The map is provided by Stay22. If you book through it, RunSesh may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects the races we list.
