10th Annual Lake Forest Chamber Elf Yourself 5K 2026
- Date
- Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (Los Angeles)
- Location
- Lake Forest, California
- Entry fee
- From $36 · goes up to $50 on Oct 31, 2026
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K Run/Walk | 5K | Nov 21, 20268:00 AM | $36$50 after Oct 31, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 5K fee goes up to $50 on Oct 31, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- $36 until Oct 31, then $50 until Nov 21.
Online registration closes Nov 21, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $36, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in California ($37).
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in California runs 38:06, about 12:16 a mile, based on 623 races with published results. Women typically finish in 41:27 and men in 33:40.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:27 AM, and the 5K Run/Walk starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 510 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
28000 Rancho Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92630
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All results (5 years)Aggregated from official results for 10th Annual Lake Forest Chamber Elf Yourself 5K. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at 10th Annual Lake Forest Chamber Elf Yourself 5K?
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 24:42 or better, the top quarter in 29:21, and half the field in 35:24; the last tenth came in after 56:34.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 25:54 | 18:03 |
| 20-29 | 30:50 | 21:06 |
| 30-39 | 25:49 | 21:38 |
| 40-49 | 24:26 | 21:13 |
| 50-59 | 26:01 | 24:42 |
| 60-69 | 29:35 | 28:14 |
| 70+ | 53:03 | n/a |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Up 75 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
10th Annual Lake Forest Chamber Elf Yourself 5K 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 277 to 485 finishers, and the median time dropped from 37:51 to 35:24.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 485 (+9%) | 35:24 | under 24:42 | 15:16 |
| 2024 | 445 (+14%) | 35:48 | under 25:04 | 15:21 |
| 2023 | 390 (+63%) | 37:49 | under 23:51 | 17:27 |
| 2022 | 240 (-13%) | 43:53 | under 28:15 | 18:50 |
| 2021 | 277 | 37:51 | under 24:10 | 17:14 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Faster than most California 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:21, against 30:43 in a typical California 5K, so times here run 4 percent faster.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around November 21 the day usually runs from 53°F at dawn to 70°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 9% of days. Cold snaps dip to 48°F and hot years reach 79°F.
Based on 85 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 28000 Rancho Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92630Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 510 feet
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K
- Editions
- 2026 (Nov 21, 2026), 2025 (Nov 22, 2025), 2024 (Nov 23, 2024), 2023 (Nov 18, 2023), 2022 (Nov 19, 2022), 2021 (Nov 20, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is 10th Annual Lake Forest Chamber Elf Yourself 5K?
- Saturday, November 21, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $36 before processing fees, and rises to $50 on Oct 31, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Nov 21, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for California?
- At $36, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in California ($37).
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 485 runners finished the 5K Run/Walk; the median finish was 35:24 and the winner ran 15:16.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:21, against 30:43 in a typical California 5K, so times here run 4 percent faster.
- Where does it start?
- 28000 Rancho Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92630.
From the organizers
The Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce's 9th Annual holiday FUN RUN 5K takes place in the stunning Lake Forest Sports Park on Saturday, November 21, 2026. It is a fast, flat course contained within the park. Our theme is Elf Yourself to kick off the holiday season! This is a fun family event for all, strollers and pets are welcome!
We have a large post-race expo with local restaurants passing out samples, vendors, and various fitness companies. There is even games & crafts for kids, photos with Santa, bounce houses, a hot chocolate station, and more! Make sure to bring your pets for our pet parade, there are awards for best dressed pets!