5Ks, 10ks, Half Marathons, Fun Runs, Turkey Trots & More

Orange County hosts family fun runs, Turkey Trots, 5Ks and full marathons all year long. Whether you’re looking for a challenge, like the OC Marathon, or a fun way to get kids excited about fitness, like the annual Dino Dash, we’ve got a list of events for every season. Find your next race today.

Find a List Of The Best Marathons In California

More Than Just A Race

Bubble Run – Racers make their way through a family-friendly 5K course while they’re showered with foam, and passing four colorful bubble cannon stations. Join the bubblefest at the after party for more bubbles!

Color Vibe 5K – Color Vibe races are fun, family friendly events where you’ll be splashed with vibrant, colorful paint. It is 100% safe, edible, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Paint chalk colors include blue, yellow, pink, purple, and green. Theses run/walk events include DJs and music, and a dance party post-race.

The Color Run – Just like Color Vibe, runners get splashed with color during and after the race. There’s an after race Finish Festival with music, dancing, photo ops, activity booths, vendors, and more.

Foam Glow – These after-dark family friendly events splash foam and color over races along the 5K course. End the race with activities, music and dancing for a fun after party. Foam Glow is a go-at-your-own-pace event, not a competitive race.

Muddy Dash – A family friendly mud run with obstacles like walls, ropes, monkey bars, and plenty of mud. Held at Oak Canyon Park, you’ll run, walk, crawl, wade, slip, and slide through the course with Mud Experts leading the way. This is a fun run and not a timed race. Costumes are welcome. Must be 7 or older to participate.

Mud Girl Run – Aimed at women, the Mud Girl Run is a three mile race with obstacles and fun. There are over 17 obstacles to challenge your physical strength including mud, slides, climbing, agility courses, water, and more.

Spartan Races – Spartan Races are some of the most challenging obstacle races, but they are totally worth it for those who enjoy a challenge. There are different levels of challenges depending on the race you sign up for. The Stadion is one of the most common – it is a 5K with 20 obstacles including the gauntlet, air bike, rolling mud, and more.

Virtual Races

Many runs have been modified to virtual participation. Racers can register to participate in the event and you choose to complete your distance as a solo run at the location and time of your preference to maintain social distance guidelines and reduce crowding/gathering. Here are a few sites that are hosting virtual races and app-based virtual run challenge programs:

Active – Find runs, biking events, and activities for the whole family including virtual races. Plus keep an eye out for in-person activities as they are updated.

Run Guides – Find local (and not-so-local) virtual runs to join, and get the scoop on in-person races as they are added.

The Conqueror Virtual Challenges – Choose a challenge and log your progress through the app or automatically track with your smartwatch. Earn medals, join teams, and connect with other racers in the Conqueror community.

Related Articles

Heidi Deal

Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights. When she's not writing you can find her solo hiking and going on new adventures with her kids and pup.