LARS Race Against Hunger & Homelessness

LARS Race Against Hunger & Homelessness is an annual Thanksgiving Day event in Laurel, Maryland, on November 26, 2026, organized by Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services, Inc. (LARS). Two formats are offered: a 5K (3.1 miles) at 8:00 a.m. and a 1-mile walk at 8:05 a.m. Held since 2004, the race brings together runners and walkers of all ages to raise funds to fight hunger and homelessness in the local community, supporting families in need while building a spirit of solidarity and engagement.

Whether you run the 5K or walk the mile, the point of the morning is participation, but the 5K still makes a fine season-closing effort if you want one. Three to four weeks of steady easy running with one weekly session of short repeats at goal pace is enough to run it well, and an easy jog before the 8:00 a.m. start will loosen you up on a cold Maryland morning. The 1-mile walk, starting five minutes later, is a natural option for kids, grandparents and anyone who would rather stroll before the holiday meal.