After a Successful Debut, the Venice Beach Half Marathon & 5K Returns Sunday, May 17, 2026

March 23, 2026

Celebrating the Magic and Grit of Venice — and the Neighborhood’s Emerging Role in the Road to the 2028 Olympic Games

(LOS ANGELES) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Following a sold-out debut year, the Venice Beach Half Marathon & 5K presented by goodr, returns to the streets of world-famous Venice Beach on Sunday, May 17, 2026, inviting runners, walkers, families, and community supporters to celebrate the spirit, culture, and coastline of one of Los Angeles’ most iconic neighborhoods.

Registration is now open at www.runvenicebeach.com.

More than 5,000 participants are expected to take part in this year’s festivities, choosing from the Half Marathon, 5K, 1-Mile Junior Jog & Family Walk, or the crowd-favorite “Grunion Run” (.25 mile) for young runners. All participants will receive a commemorative race shirt.

The scenic course winds through Venice’s most recognizable streets and landmarks, including Ocean Front Walk, Venice Boulevard, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, passing historic locations such as Muscle Beach and the Venice Canals, before finishing beneath the iconic Venice Sign on Windward Avenue.

As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games, Venice Beach is expected to become a focal point for international visitors and athletic competition. Portions of the race route run through areas that will soon be surrounded by Olympic activity, giving participants a preview of the neighborhood’s future role as a global hub for sport and culture.

More than just a race, the Venice Beach Half Marathon celebrates the neighborhood’s creative spirit and local business community. Participants will enjoy live entertainment and surprise activations along the route, including a “Grease” celebration at Venice High School (famously known as Rydell High in the film Grease), DJ, photo opportunities, and high-energy cheer zones. There will also be activations on Abbot Kinney from goodr, Lululemon, and R.A.D. Running, who just opened a store in Venice.

The finish line celebration continues with a VIP beer garden at Belle’s Beach House and a lively post-race festival at Windward Circle with a live performance by Strange Days, a tribute to The Doors, while local merchants along Abbot Kinney Boulevard and throughout Venice will offer special promotions and discounts to runners showing their race bibs.

This year’s event is presented by goodr, a performance sunglasses brand known for delivering high-quality, affordable eyewear designed for active lifestyles. With its flagship retail location, the goodr Cabana, located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, the brand has deep roots in the neighborhood. In the lead-up to race day, goodr will also host a series of official training runs from the Cabana, led by Olympic runner, Bravey author, and goodr-sponsored athlete Alexi Pappas.

“goodr always brings fun vibes to every occasion, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have them be part of the Venice Beach Half Marathon,” said Michelle Lindner, Director of Partnerships for the event. “goodr’s only US retail location is on the race course near mile 11 and will be a hotbed of activity before and during the event!”

Pre-Race Festivities

Participants are encouraged to pick up race packets early at the Pre-Race Packet Pickup Celebration on Saturday, May 16, hosted at BLANKSPACES Venice (606 Venice Blvd.) from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Attendees can enjoy complimentary ice baths and sauna experiences while exploring special offers from nearby Abbot Kinney merchants.

A Race Built by the Venice Community

The Venice Beach Half Marathon is produced by Generic Events, led by longtime Venice residents and husband-and-wife team Brennan and Michelle Lindner. Both of their children attended Coeur d’Alene Elementary, with their youngest currently attending Venice High School.

Brennan Lindner currently serves as President of the Venice Chamber of Commerce and previously served on the Venice Neighborhood Council and Friends of the Venice Boardwalk, the nonprofit instrumental in restoring and revitalizing the boardwalk following the pandemic.

“In addition to sharing the Venice vibe with the running community, it’s important for us to give back,” said Michelle Lindner, Marketing Director of Generic Events. “Public schools are pillars of every community, and this event allows us to celebrate Venice while supporting the schools that shape its future. Having lived in Venice for more than twenty years, we’re thrilled to create something that brings the entire neighborhood together.”

Supporting Local Schools

Community fundraising remains a core part of the event. Participants are encouraged to join fundraising teams representing local schools, with prizes awarded to the schools with the most participants.

Proceeds from sponsorships and participant donations benefit public schools in Venice, Mar Vista, and Marina del Rey. Participants can donate directly during registration or create fundraising teams supporting their school communities.

In its inaugural year, the event raised more than $10,000 for local school booster clubs, with a long-term goal of reaching $25,000 annually through community participation and sponsorship support.

Sponsors

Sponsors for the 2026 race include goodr, Bambas, R.A.D.® Performance Footwear, Blankspaces, Sound Running, Hotel Erwin, and Belle’s Beach House.

Calendar Event Details

The Venice Beach Half Marathon & 5K takes place Sunday, May 17, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Race Start Location:
2600 Barnard Way at Pacific Avenue

Finish Line:
Under the historic Venice Sign on Windward Avenue

Race Start Times:

Half Marathon — 7:00 a.m.
5K — 8:00 a.m.
1-Mile Junior Jog & Family Walk — 8:30 a.m.

Pre-Race Packet Pickup

Saturday, May 16, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
BLANKSPACES Venice
606 Venice Blvd. Venice, CA

To register or learn more, visit: www.runvenicebeach.com

ABOUT GENERIC EVENTS

The Venice Beach Half Marathon is managed and promoted by Generic Events, a full-service experiential agency that unites communities through large-scale, active lifestyle events. Operated by the husband and wife team of Michelle and Brennan Lindner, Generic Events also produces the award-winning Los Muertos 5K, Turkey Trot Los Angeles, Santa Monica Pier 360 Festival, Long Beach Triathlon, and Pasadena Triathlon. For more information, please go to www.genericevents.com.

ABOUT goodr
At goodr, we’re recklessly committed to fun…blah, blah, blah, sunglasses. Guided by our four Fs, Fun, Fashionable, Functional, and ‘Ffordable, we create and sell Active Eyewear for Anyone. Whoever you are, however you move, whenever joy finds you, goodrs move with you.

Founded in 2015 as a running brand, we have since evolved into an active eyewear brand, designing classic, fashion, and performance sunglasses, winter goggles, prescription shades, cases, and the occasional absurd accessory when the moment calls for it. Our products are available on goodr.com, The goodr Cabana on Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles, and at leading national retailers including REI, Fleet Feet, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Public Lands, Scheels, and Target.

At our core, we exist to give you permission to be unabashedly yourself…unless you’re an asshole. We believe accessibility creates connection, and connection gives people the freedom to show up as they are. Featured in Runner’s World, Outside, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Bicycling, and GQ, our products prove you don’t have to choose between function and fun.

*** Calendar Listings ***

Who: Venice Beach Half Marathon & LAUSD Schools

What: The Venice Beach Half Marathon & 5K, presented by goodr, returns Sunday, May 17, 2026, bringing thousands of runners, walkers, and joggers to the iconic streets of Venice to raise money for local schools. The scenic course passes Ocean Front Walk, Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals, and Abbot Kinney Blvd. before finishing beneath the legendary Venice Sign.

Participants can choose from the Half Marathon, 5K, 1-Mile Youth Jog & Family Walk, or the crowd-favorite “Grunion Run” for young runners. All participants receive an event shirt, finisher medal, and race bib. Registration is now open.

When: Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 7:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Half Marathon: 7:00 a.m.
5K: 8:00 a.m.
1-Mile Youth Jog & Family Walk: 8:30 a.m.
Race-day packet pickup opens at 6:00 a.m.

Where: Venice Beach
Race Start: 2600 Barnard Way (at Pacific Avenue), Santa Monica, CA 90405
Race Finish: Under the historic Venice Sign (84 Windward Avenue, Venice, CA 90291)

For more information and to register, please go to www.runvenicebeach.com.

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Media Contacts:

Kim Koury / Carl Larsen
Spin PR
Kim@spinprgroup.com
Carl@spinprgroup.com
(310) 497-6324 / (310) 210-7018