For 23 years, thousands of San Diegans have kicked off Thanksgiving morning at Balboa Park in style. The Start Line is always a sight to remember – families in matching turkey hats, friend groups dancing to the music, coworkers stretching together before the horn, and strollers and pups weaving through the crowd. The vast crowd joins together joyfully to participate in a decades-old tradition of celebration and service.
This year, make the Father Joe’s Villages 24th Annual “Run for Hope” Thanksgiving Day 5K your new (or continued!) tradition. One of the best ways to experience the 5K is with your own team. Gather your family, friends, faith group, or coworkers, create a team name, sport matching gear, and start your holiday by giving back. Dozens of groups return year after year, including Presenting Sponsor Aya Healthcare, whose team now tops 250 employees strong.
“We are honored to be returning for the fourth consecutive year as the Presenting Sponsor and providing
700,000 hot meals to local families in need,” Amber Zeeb, Chief People Officer at Aya Healthcare shared with GB Magazine. “Lacing up our sneakers and gathering in Balboa Park has become a cherished Thanksgiving Day tradition for our employees and their loved ones and we are proud to support Father Joe’s Villages and the meaningful contributions and positive impact they are making in San Diego.”
The race’s impact lasts far beyond Thanksgiving morning as Father Joe’s Villages serves three hot meals a day, 365 days a year. Proceeds from the 5K provided nearly 700,000 hot meals in 2024 for individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
For some teams, the tradition goes wherever they do. The Benedetto family has run the 5K for years, and in 2024, not even international travel could stop them. They registered for the virtual race, packed their medals and race shirts, and proudly repped the event all the way from Ireland.
Along with returning racers, Father Joe’s Villages is always excited to welcome new groups each year, which includes Qualcomm, their 2025 Visionary Corporate Partner. “As Qualcomm celebrates our 40th anniversary, this partnership underscores our continued commitment to supporting our headquarter community. The Thanksgiving 5K is a San Diego tradition that unites people in the spirit of giving, and we are honored to support the vital work Father Joe’s Villages does throughout the year” said Rick Jimenez, President of the Qualcomm Foundation.
In 2025, rally your community and start your own tradition. Create a team, keep a meaningful tradition alive, and be a force for hope this holiday season.
Register today at www.thanksgivingrun.org. For sponsorships, vendor booths, and corporate team opportunities, contact (619) 446-2115.
