Martha's Village & Kitchen Thanksgiving Day 5K

Martha's Village & Kitchen Thanksgiving Day 5K takes place in Palm Desert, California, on November 26, 2026. The single event is a 5K run/walk (3.1 miles) starting at 8:00 a.m. This annual Thanksgiving morning race raises awareness and funds to fight hunger and homelessness in the Coachella Valley, and it draws more than 5,000 participants each year, counting runners, spectators, and volunteers. You can sign up on your own or as part of a team, and there are several ways to get involved beyond simply running.

A 5K is the friendliest distance in road racing: short enough that a walker can finish comfortably, yet long enough to give a seasoned runner a fast, honest test before the holiday meal. If you are new to running, a six-to-eight-week plan that alternates walking and running three times a week will get you to the line ready to enjoy it. Faster runners can treat it as a tune-up, with a couple of short interval sessions in the final weeks and an easy jog the day before.