11th annual Turkey Trot becomes neighborhood’s first post-fire gathering — and a raw, emotional homecoming
Residents of Pacific Palisades have had few opportunities to gather as a community since the catastrophic Palisades Fire tore through the community in January. But on Thanksgiving morning, as the sun rose over a town still marked by destruction, hundreds of runners, families, and neighbors came together for something that felt almost miraculous: the return of the Palisades Turkey Trot.
The 11th Annual Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot — sponsored by XBP Global — welcomed more than 1,800 participants on Thursday, Nov. 27, bringing a renewed sense of hope and connection to a community that has spent nearly a year displaced, grieving, and rebuilding. Against the backdrop of hollowed buildings, scorched hillsides, and shuttered storefronts, runners in bright athletic gear and families in turkey costumes gathered at the Palisades Village Green for what has become one of the community’s most beloved holiday traditions. For event co-founder David O’Connell, there was a period when he wasn’t sure the race could happen at all.
“I didn’t know if we’d be able to do it this year,” O’Connell said in an earlier interview. “Given the state of the neighborhood, it wasn’t clear we’d even have a course to run.”
O’Connell knows the devastation first-hand, he lost his own home in the fire and has been living in Century City since January. The blaze, which ignited Jan. 7 and was not fully extinguished for weeks, became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history. More than 6,800 buildings burned, 36.5 square miles of the Santa Monica Mountains were scorched, and 12 people tragically lost their lives.
With rising momentum and support from presenting sponsor XBP Global, along with community partners Equinox and The Palisades Village, O’Connell committed to forging ahead. The turnout — nearly matching pre-fire numbers — proved how deeply the community longed for the tradition.
For the first decade of the event, the Turkey Trot was held at Palisades High School. This year, however, the course was moved to the town’s heart: the Village Green and the streets surrounding Swarthmore Avenue. It wasn’t simply a logistical shift — it was symbolic.
“It’s a new course,” O’Connell said. “I’m not sure what we’ll do in the future, but for now, we’re here in downtown Pacific Palisades, which, given the circumstances, adds a level of magnitude.”
The race began and ended at the Village Green, a triangular park that had been meticulously prepared by longtime steward Cindy Kirvin. She ensured every detail — from freshly mowed grass to trimmed trees and functioning power — was ready for the community’s return.
Runners wound through Via de las Olas, passing blocks where homes once stood. Some lots were cleared to dirt; others remained cluttered with rubble. A few surviving houses were boarded up with weathered “Keep Out” signs. By late November, a handful of residents had returned to temporary trailers or construction zones, but large portions of the neighborhood still bore the deep wounds of January’s fire.
Yet, despite the surroundings, dozens of participants described the experience as uplifting.
In a statement on social media, Jake Levine, a Palisadian and congressional candidate who ran with his toddler son, Wilder. said, “We weren’t sure what to expect, but even amidst all the challenges of this recovery, it was one of the most hopeful mornings we’ve had.”
Levine described seeing firefighters from Station 69 — the same crew that battled the fire in its earliest hours — giving opening remarks and greeting families before the race. His son even explored a fire truck.
“Families were out and about. We ran into friends and neighbors — people who’ve contributed to this rebuild in ways small and big all along the way,” he said. “The bluffs were shockingly green after a week of rain. It was a reminder that life finds a way.”
The run ended along Antioch Street, passing spaces still awaiting new beginnings.
Before the races began — a kids’ run, the 5K, and a 10K — the crowd heard from speakers including honorary mayor Ted McGinley, Chamber of Commerce leader Miriam Zar, and Arus Gregorian of Councilwoman Traci Park’s office. Each delivered brief remarks of thanks and resilience.
“It was a long list of really good speakers,” O’Connell said. “Everybody kept it to a minute. It was perfect.”
Local business leaders and new residents also took the stage. Among them was Jacqueline Sheroff, representing the newly launched Palisades Estates, a division of Beverly Hills Estates.
“I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge our Palisades community and the heartbreaking loss we’ve recently experienced,” Sheroff said. “Standing here today reminds me of just how strong and resilient our community truly is.”
Sheroff, who has lived in the Palisades for more than 25 years and has lost two homes herself over the decades, offered words that resonated deeply with the crowd.
“What has always stood out is our incredible community,” she said. “Today is a reminder of that.”
Throughout the morning, neighbors who had not seen each other since before the fire reunited with emotional hugs and long conversations. Some had just moved back into temporary housing. Others were visiting the Palisades for the first time since evacuating months ago.
“I think for many, it was their first visit back,” O’Connell said. “There were a lot of reconnections — neighbors getting together, friends who hadn’t seen each other in a while. It was positive. That’s what this day is about.”
The fire left major damage along several roads used in the course. Event organizers worked closely with city officials to ensure safety.
“The roads were a little crumbly,” O’Connell admitted. “But we had signage, warnings, barriers. We made sure everyone was safe. Nobody fell — that was good.”
With temperatures warming quickly, runners finished by late morning. Volunteers cleared the remaining barricades and signage. By 11 a.m., the Village Green was clean, quiet, and restored to its usual calm.
“I worked so hard on this,” O’Connell said with a laugh. “When it’s over, I’m just glad. But this year — this year was something else.”
Despite everything the community has endured, the Turkey Trot brought a familiar mix of joy, tradition, and gratitude — things residents have deeply missed.
“It’s one of the biggest running days of the year, and a lot of people want to be with their friends and family,” O’Connell said. “This event gave people that chance.”
Looking ahead, O’Connell said the Turkey Trot will return in 2026 — though the location remains undecided.
“We’ll be back for sure next year,” he said. “I’m not sure where yet, but we all needed this.”
For a community still in the long process of healing, rebuilding, and reclaiming its spirit, the Thanksgiving morning run served as more than a race. It was a reminder that even in the face of immense loss, tradition, togetherness, and hope endure.
