Run First, Feast Later: Conejo Valley’s Biggest Thanksgiving Tradition Returns
Sylvie Belmond 
It’s early, but registration is open for the Thousand Oaks Thanksgiving tradition that shares 100% of proceeds with local nonprofits
(CLAIR | Thousand Oaks, CA) — Giving thanks this November will once again begin with footsteps. The Five07 Turkey Day Dash returns to Cal Lutheran University on Thanksgiving morning, and this year it comes with news: a longtime Conejo Valley nonprofit, Hospice of the Conejo, has been added as a beneficiary.
The Dash, set for Thursday, Nov. 27, has become a holiday ritual for families and competitive runners alike. Organizers say 100% of the proceeds will now support three groups: Hospice of the Conejo, the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks Foundation, and Ventura County Council, Scouting America. Each contributes volunteers to make the event possible.
The family-focused morning includes the Zack Zernik Mile, an untimed 1-mile run/walk named in memory of a Thousand Oaks native and lifelong “Dasher,” and the 5K Dash, a timed race through tree-lined streets with medals and age-group awards.
Hospice of the Conejo, founded in 1977, provides end-of-life support and grief counseling at no cost, relying entirely on donations and fundraisers. The group’s new executive director, Kyle Jorrey, has served as race organizer since 2023, when Five07 Coffee helped bring the Dash back after the COVID-19 pandemic pause.
“I was blown away by the Y’s selflessness, allowing Hospice to step in and benefit from the dollars the Dash generates,” Jorrey said in a statement.
After helping a new set of organizers get the Dash off the ground in 2023 and 2024, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA — which founded the event in 1994 in Dos Vientos and grew it into the county’s largest Thanksgiving run — agreed this spring to step back and allow Hospice to take its place. “All that matters to our organization is that the event will live on and continue to benefit the community,” YMCA CEO Ronnie Stone said.
Registration is open now at five07turkeydaydash.org. Early sign-up and family discounts are available, with each participant receiving a T-shirt and sponsor swag bag. Dash festivities begin at 7 a.m. Nov. 27 at Memorial Field, California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road. The Zack Zernik Mile starts at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K at 8:30.
The Zack Zernik Memorial Scholarship will also be awarded to two local high school students before the mile begins. Information is posted at turkeydaydash.org/zack-zernik-scholarship.
Sponsors include Five07 Coffee, Athens Services, Acorn Newspapers, California American Water, Road Runner Sports, Candu Graphics, Conejo Awards, TOArts, Grocery Outlet, Ventura County Credit Union, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Heaven’s Hill Estate, and Cal Lutheran.
