201811.22
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Thousands of runners hit the race course — and burn some calories — at the annual Dana Point Turkey Trot

by in News

DANA POINT >> More than 10,000 runners traveled the race course through Dana Point Harbor on Thanksgiving Day for the 41st annual Dana Point Turkey Trot.

A signature event for the city, the race drew serious runners prepping for the race circuit, runners in costume and those who just wanted to burn some calories before digging in to the Thanksgiving meal.

The run is among the largest and longest continuously running turkey trots in the nation, said officials with the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the event.

  • Tyler Muelhauser’s Pamela Anderson costume won first place at the Dana Point Turkey Trot race on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Harry Mulenga finishes first in the 10K at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. His time was 29:45. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

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  • Nancy Thweatt crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Daniel Weeks, Farschid Fatehi and Brian Svoboda were finalists in the costume division at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Reyna Fonseca crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • 5K runners start their race at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Christopher Efstathiou and William Getz start the 5K Run during the 41st annual Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Megan Hopkins and her baby cross the finish line
    at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Curtis Ludlow crosses the finish line during the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Tim Brown crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Dana McGrath crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Runners stream by at the start of the 5K race at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Brian Coombe crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Lara and Ivy Alkofer cross the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Kory Burg celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A runner crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Josh Kuluris crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • John Bates has a patriotic look as he competes in the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Robert Brandt finishes fourth in the 10K with a time of 29:52 at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Robert Enquist and William Sumner are midway through the race at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A dog runs next to his owner at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Alice Wilson crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Charles Manger crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Jonny Paguio carries an American flag as part of Team Red White and Blue at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A group dressed in Thanksgiving attire take off in the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A dapper fellow runs down the last stretch of the Dana Point Turkey Trot race on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • The lead runners begin the 10K run at the 41st annual Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A runner dressed in a T-Rex costume begins the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Runners enjoy themselves during the city of Dana Point’s 41st annual Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Pittsburgh Steeler fans start the the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A runner and passenger take off in the Dana Point Turkey Trot race on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Costumed 5K runners pass the midway point of the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Robert Enquist catches his breath at the finish line of the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Michael Gonzales crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Presley Capella, 6, is less than happy as she crosses the finish line at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, 2018. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

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Besides being a fun time, the race benefits local charities including the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group and Pet Project Foundation.

The race started as a fundraiser with 300 people – pizza and beer awaiting them at the finish line. It was also a way to get people out of the house so that cooking could get done.

The flat course that includes runs through Dana Point Harbor and Doheny State Beach has helped grow its popularity.