Will Rogers 5K to Be Run in Venice

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

There is a distinct patriotism that permeates Pacific Palisades every Fourth of July morning and this year it will drift a few miles down the coast to Venice Beach for the annual Palisades Will Rogers Run.

What makes this year’s race unique, besides the location, is that for the first time there will be no 10K. For the first eight years, beginning in 1978, there was only the 6.2-mile route from the Palisades Recreation Center up to Will Rogers State Park and back. A 5K through the streets of the Huntington debuted in 1986 and because of the damage to that neighborhood caused by the Palisades Fire in January, the event will instead be held at Venice Beach on Independence Day. The Kids’ Fun Run will follow at 8:30 a.m., an hour and a half after the 5K.

The route is mostly flat and sraight and is slightly longer than the Palisades course. It starts at the intersection of Ocean Front Walk and Westminster Avenue, turns right at Brooks Avenue and right again onto Pacific Avenue just before the mile mark. After a left turn onto South Venice Blvd., the route continues up Venice Blvd., bends to the right at Abbot Kinney Blvd. and makes a U-turn at the two-mile mark, heading down Abbot Kinney in the opposite direction before turning left onto Venice Blvd., then right onto Pacific at the three-mile mark and finishing at Windward Plaza. The Fun Run will also be slightly longer than usual (0.65 miles instead of the half-mile course in the Palisades), starting and finishing at the Venice Beach Recreation Center.

Runners are encouraged to register early on the race website (runsignup.com/Race/CA/Venice/PalisadesWillRogers5K10KRun) at prices of $54.25 for the 5K and $32.75 for the Fun Run. No refunds allowed.

Providence Saint John’s Health Center will once again serve as the presenting sponsor. Others are the Cynthia L. & William E. Simon Foundation, Kennedy Wilson, Laura Brau Estates, LA Councilwoman Traci Park and American Legion Post 283. The Palisades Will Rogers  5 & 10K Run Foundation is supporting recovery efforts and race proceeds will go toward rebuilding the Palisades Recreation Center. Donations can be made on the website or by mail to Palisades Will Rogers 5 & 10K Run Foundation, P.O. Box 601, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

Brian Shea, Chris Carlson and Bill Klein founded the race and Shea served as director until passing the torch to Thomas Hathaway in 2023. Locals have enjoyed great success at their hometown race over the years, particularly Palisades High alums Peter Gilmore (eight-time 5K champion and course recordholder), Katie Dunsmuir (six-time 10K champion and course recordholder) and 11-time champion Kara Barnard, who won the 5K five times and won the 10K on six occasions.   

Last year’s 5K winners were UC Santa Barbara runner Gus Marshall, whose 15:40 clocking was the fastest since the course was lengthened by 427 feet and to gain USATF certification in 2015. Santa Monica High’s Phoebe Benun was last year’s female 5K winner in 19:13.     

The Dick Lemen Perpetual Trophy will again be awarded to the winner of the high school competition (sign-ups available on the race website). Participating schools must enter at least three runners between the ages of 14-18 to be eligible.

Last year’s July 4 race drew 2,470 runners (1,828 in the 5K and 642 in the 10K)—the biggest field since the event resumed in 2022 following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.