Register now for the Inaugural Venice Beach Half Marathon and 5k on May 18th – Venice Paparazzi | Venice Beach CA, Photo Agency, Community Info, News, Events

Inaugural Venice Beach Half Marathon & 5K to Debut on Sunday, May 18, 2025

Celebrating the Magic and Grit of Venice and Raising Funds for Local Schools

(LOS ANGELES; April 9, 2025) – The Venice Beach Half Marathon & 5K takes to the streets of world-famous Venice Beach on Sunday, May 18, 2025. This unique event takes runners and walkers along Ocean Front Walk, Venice Boulevard, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and past historical locations such as Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals, and the old Venice Jail House before finishing under the historic Venice sign. Registration is now open at www.runvenicebeach.com

Over 3,000 attendees are expected to participate in either the Half Marathon, 5K, 1-Mile Junior Jog and Family Walk, or .25-Mile ‘Grunion Run’ for the little ones. Everyone will receive an event shirt, finisher medal, and bib.

This event is designed to showcase the best of Venice, raise money for local schools, promote local business districts, and provide the opportunity to tour one of the most unique communities in Los Angeles. Venice Beach Half Marathon and 5K festivities include multiple stops with live entertainment and photo ops along the route, including a Grease Lightning performance at Venice High School (aka Rydell High School), a VIP beer garden at Belle’s Beach House, and a post-race festival on Windward Circle. Additionally, local businesses on Abbot Kinney and surrounding areas will offer special discounts to race participants. A list of special offers can be found on the race website.

On Saturday, May 17, Blankspaces Venice is holding the pre-event packet pickup for people to beat the race day lines. Attendees will be treated to coffee and treats from Vale Coffee and complimentary ice baths and sauna treatments. Afterwards, merchants along the famous shopping street of Abbot Kinney are offering specials and discounts to runners who show their race bibs!

The Venice Beach Half Marathon is produced by the award-winning team at Generic Events, led by longtime Venetians Brennan and Michelle Lindner. Both of their children attended Coeur d’Alene Elementary, with the youngest currently attending Venice High School. Brennan currently serves on the Venice Chamber of Commerce and has been a past board member of the Venice Neighborhood Council and Friends of Venice Boardwalk, which was instrumental in cleaning up the boardwalk after the pandemic. Generic Events also produces such annual events as Turkey Trot Los Angeles, Los Muertos 5K (Winner of USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards), Pasadena Triathlon, the Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival, and Long Beach Legacy Triathlon.

“In addition to sharing the Venice vibe with the running community, it’s important for us to give back. Public schools are pillars in every community and are important to individuals whether or not they have a child attending a school. It’s our job to emphasize the importance of thriving public schools and create a space to fundraise for each school. We are excited to do just that.” Says Michelle Lindner, Marketing Director. “Having lived in Venice for twenty years, we are thrilled to create this opportunity for our community.”

Race participants are encouraged to join fundraising teams for their local schools and prizes will be awarded to the school with the most students attending. This year, the fundraising goal for booster clubs at Venice and Mar Vista Schools is $25,000.

Venice Beach Half Marathon & 5K takes place on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 7:30am – 12 noon. It starts at 2600 Barnard Way at Pacific Ave and finishes under the historic Venice sign on Windward Ave. The half marathon commences @ 7:10am, 5K starts @ 8:00am, 1-mile Junior Jog and Family Walk start at 8:30am. There will also be a pre-event packet pickup celebration the day before, Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10:00am-4:00pm at Blankspaces (606 S. Venice Blvd).