South El Monte Turkey Trot

South El Monte Turkey Trot takes place in South El Monte, California, on November 21, 2026, and is organized by the City of South El Monte. The Children's 1K Trot opens the morning at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Turkey Dash 5K (3.1 miles) at 9:30 a.m., so families can see the kids run first and then take on the main event.

A city-run turkey trot in the Los Angeles area is a good fit for first-timers, regular runners after a quick seasonal effort, and families who want an active morning together. If you are training for the 5K, three runs a week over six weeks is enough, and adding a few short pickups at a faster pace in the last three weeks will help you finish strong. Bring water for after the finish and a layer you can remove once you are warm. Warm up with an easy jog before the 9:30 a.m. start, keep the first mile controlled and enjoy the community atmosphere.