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Holiday races dashing through San Diego this season

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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — After you get up early to toss that holiday turkey into the oven, what more is there to do before dinner?

Well, plenty. But there's usually time to fit in a run or walk. In San Diego, there are several chances to celebrate the holiday season with a turkey trot or holiday dash around town.

And while runners will walk away with a medal and t-shirt in most cases, many will also help benefit San Diego charitable causes through races like the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K or Ohana Holiday Run.

November

Carrera de los Muertos San Diego (Nov. 3)
Where: Embarcadero Park South; Cost: $42 - $79
Lace up your shoes for a special Dia De Los Muertos run with mariachi, dancers, and delicious food at the end of a 5K or 10K run.

Thank You Run (Nov. 28)
Where: 4S Ranch Community Park; Cost: $20 - $40
The Thank You Run 5K and kids 1K run takes runners through the 4S Ranch community, ending with a post race beer garden at 4S Ranch Sports Park.

San Diego Run for the Hungry (Nov. 28)
Where: Horton Plaza; Cost: $25 - $50
Choose from 5K or 10K distances through downtown San Diego and help benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank during the on-site food drive.

Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K (Nov. 28)
Where: Balboa Park; Cost: $30 - $50
The 18th annual Thanksgiving Day 5K benefits Father Joe's Villages food services program to serve homeless individuals in San Diego. Stick around post race for live music, a beer garden, and Disney character meet-and-greets.

O'side Turkey Trot (Nov. 28)
Where: Oceanside; Cost: $25 - $50
Hit the pavement before you eat in Oceanside during the 14th annual O'side Turkey Trot in either 5K, 10K, or kids run distances.

Encinitas Turkey Trot (Nov. 28)
Where: S Coast Highway 101; Cost: $49 - $59
Run or walk on Coast Highway and take in early morning views of the Pacific Ocean during the 5K or 10K Encinitas Turkey Trot.

Fallbrook Turkey Trot (Nov. 28)
Where: Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens; Cost: $40 - $160
Run to help benefit the Fallbrook Village Rotary Club Foundation during this early Thanksgiving Day 5K run or walk, and help raise money toward Fallbrook Land Conservancy, Fallbrook Animal Sancturay, and the community.

Coronado Turkey Trot (Nov. 28)
Where: Tidelands Park; Cost: $18 - $48
Take your Thanksgiving Day 5K trot in Coronado at Tidelands Park to benefit Rady Children's Hospital's Chadwick Center, which focuses on child abuse and trauma patients.

December

Jingle Bell Run (Dec. 7)
Where: Liberty Station NTC Park; Cost: $15 - $45
Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation during the Jingle Bell Run at Liberty Station. Stick around afterward to enjoy a post-run party, awards, and prizes.

Red Nose Run (Dec. 7)
Where: Del Mar; Cost: $25 - $45
The Red Nose Run benefits Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and Semper Fi Fund, inviting runners and doggies to come out for a 5K or 3K run.

San Diego Santa Run (Dec. 14)
Where: Pacific Beach; Cost: $20 - $50
The streets of PB will be clad in red and white as the San Diego Santa Run returns for a 5K and mile-long dash of Kris Kringles along Garnet Avenue.

Dirty December Poker Fun Run (Dec. 14)
Where: Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve; Cost: $50 - $95
Lace up for a fun run modeled after poker. Runners play 5-card poker and based on their cards during the race, their time is adjusted following the hand they have drawn.

Ohana Holiday Run (Dec. 15)
Where: De Anza Cove; Cost: $15 - $35
Run along the shores of Mission Bay for a 5K run or kids 1K fun run for the Ohana Holiday Run. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Salvation Army during the on-site toy drive.

San Diego Holiday Half Marathon (Dec. 21)
Where: Rancho Penasquitos; Cost: $99 - $109
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon travels along Carmel Mountain Rd and the Sr-56 bath path to Torrey Pines State Beach, for a smooth rolling half marathon course.

National Funding 5K at the Holiday Bowl (Dec. 26)
Where: Downtown San Diego; Cost: $35
The annual Holiday Bowl 5K run or walk stretches down Harbor Drive, finishing near Ruocco Park. Athletes will dash past parade spectators and catch the end of the parade's floats, bands, and inflatable characters.

January

Resolution Run (Jan. 11)
Where: Tecolote Shores; Cost: $22 - $79
Choose from 5K, 10K, or half marathon distances and kick your New Year's Resolution off with a run through Tecolote Shores Park in Mission Bay.