Every Thanksgiving morning in Sacramento, thousands of people do something a little unusual before sitting down for turkey and stuffing: they lace up their running shoes and head to the east side of town. The Run to Feed the Hungry has been part of the city’s Thanksgiving tradition since 1994, and the 2026 edition — the 33rd annual — takes place on Thursday, November 26. If you’ve never done it, this is the year to start.
What It Is
The Run to Feed the Hungry is a 5K and 10K road race that benefits the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services — an organization that serves nearly 330,000 individuals in Sacramento County every single month. The event is family-friendly, presented by KCRA and My58, and draws a crowd that ranges from competitive runners chasing a personal best to neighbors walking together in turkey costumes.
What makes it work as a community event is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You’re out on the streets of East Sacramento on a crisp November morning, surrounded by people who are showing up because Thanksgiving means something to them beyond football and pie. The race raises money for neighbors who are food-insecure — and in Sacramento, that number is significant.
This year’s fundraising goal is $250,000. Registration gifts and donations all go directly to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
Practical Details
The course starts on J Street, just west of the entrance to Sacramento State’s campus, and winds through the tree-lined streets of East Sacramento. It’s a flat, pleasant route — ideal whether you’re gunning for a fast time or pushing a stroller.
One of the better features of this event: you don’t have to decide at registration whether you’re doing the 5K or 10K. Everyone can make that call on race day morning, which is helpful when your November motivation is still being negotiated. Both distances start from the same location.
The 10K gets going first, at 8:15 a.m., with the 5K wave launching at 9:00 a.m. Plan to arrive early for parking — Sacramento State opens its lots, and there’s additional street parking in the surrounding residential neighborhood. Bike valet is also offered as an alternative if you’d rather leave the car at home.
Packet pickup runs across the week before Thanksgiving at Fremont Presbyterian Church, with hours varying daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., from November 21 through November 25. If you can’t make it during the week, race-day packet pickup is available from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the start area — though getting your bib ahead of time means less scrambling on an already busy morning.
Registration is open now at RaceRoster. The event address is 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA.
The Details
- Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Location: 6000 J Street, Sacramento (near Sacramento State)
- Distances: 5K and 10K — choose on race day
- 10K start: 8:15 a.m.
- 5K start: 9:00 a.m.
- Packet pickup: Nov. 21–25 at Fremont Presbyterian Church (10 a.m.–7 p.m., hours vary); or race-day 7:00–9:00 a.m.
- Beneficiary: Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
- Register: raceroster.com
- Info: runtofeedthehungry.com
Why It’s Worth It
Sacramento has no shortage of fall outdoor activities — from fall hikes along the parkway to harvest festivals and farmers markets. But the Run to Feed the Hungry occupies a different kind of space. It’s a Thanksgiving morning ritual, not just another race on the calendar. Thirty-two years of Sacramentans have done this before the turkey goes in the oven, and the streak is part of what makes it feel like something worth joining.
For families, it’s also a genuinely good option for kids — the 5K is a manageable distance for older children, and the festive atmosphere makes it feel more like a neighborhood gathering than a competitive event. If you want to get a little more mileage out of your Thanksgiving weekend, pair it with Sacramento’s broader Thanksgiving event calendar to fill out the holiday.
Bottom Line
The Run to Feed the Hungry is one of Sacramento’s longest-running community traditions and one of the most straightforward ways to start Thanksgiving on the right foot — literally. The 33rd annual event is Thanksgiving morning, November 26, at 6000 J Street. Registration is open at RaceRoster now. Prices go up closer to race day, so if you know you’re in, register sooner rather than later.
