OC Fair Fun Run 5K
Costa Mesa, CA
- 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
There are acres to run, walk or skip at the OC Fair Fun Run! When you sign up for the most fun run of the summer you will receive a medal, t-shirt, free parking, free photos and a plush toy if you play a game!
Local Historical Weather (Aug 09):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 77 | 81 | 79 | 89 | 81 |
| L (°F) | 67 | 68 | 70 | 73 | 68 |
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Fun Run
Running through the fairgrounds is fun. Great photo opportunities, and if you choose games on course. Characters were on course for photos. Course is wide enough to not have most … MORE
Running through the fairgrounds is fun. Great photo opportunities, and if you choose games on course. Characters were on course for photos. Course is wide enough to not have most of the strollers hit your ankles or trip you up. Get into the fair for free 🙂
Great Way to Experience the OC Fair!
This my fifth time at this run and I highly recommend it as a great run and a great way to see the Fair. The run itself is fairly inexpensive … MORE
This my fifth time at this run and I highly recommend it as a great run and a great way to see the Fair. The run itself is fairly inexpensive with 10% discounts being offered all the way up to race day. Parking is free and plentiful and if you choose to make this the day you and the family stay for the fair you have already saved $10.
After the run is over any one still inside the gate before 9:30am can stay. So bring your family to cheer you on and experience the fair and parking for free (you also get a ticket to go to the fair another one of the 5 remaining days).
So already the run is a tremendous value. A bit about the run itself:
It starts at 8 am with beloved Run MC Rudy Novotny getting you ready to roll. The first mile and a quarter will be on roads and through the parking lot leading into the fairgrounds. Once you enter the fair and hit the water station you come up to the first “Detour to Fun”. You have the option of running past this for your PR or you can detour and play a basketball shot or break a plate for a prize. I was going to pass this but saw the line for the plates wasn’t bad so I paused 1:32 to break a plate and carry a stuffed piglet the rest of the way.
The other two detours are stopping to ride the giant slide and running down the steps of the Pacific Amphitheater for a photo op on stage.
The run is pretty much flat with only a couple of instances where clearances get tight (the start and the livestock area come to mind). This is a “Fun Run” so you have a lot of novices all over the road but the detours thin out the herd.
The medal is incredible and the shirt was pretty cool. The expo was heavy on booths for upcoming races and the end is an orgy of water bottles and Kind Bars.
As mentioned on of the great perks was early entry. It was nice to walk around the Centennial Farms with very little people there. I made a day of it and did 18,000 steps by 11 am.
Looking forward to next year.
Fun run at the fair
This fun run 5k has optional detours to play a couple fair games and ride the big slide. Of course you should do them because that's what a fun run … MORE
This fun run 5k has optional detours to play a couple fair games and ride the big slide. Of course you should do them because that’s what a fun run at a fair is all about! Race swag comes with a cotton tshirt and admission ticket to the fair. So if you want to make the most of your free race day parking, change into your cotton race shirt and stick around for the fair to open.
fun but wish the course was wider
I would recommend it as a fun way to get your Sunday easy run in after your Saturday long run. Course needs to be wider. Medals are cool and you … MORE
I would recommend it as a fun way to get your Sunday easy run in after your Saturday long run. Course needs to be wider. Medals are cool and you get to go to the fair for free on race day. Lots of free stuff after the race (bars, etc.).
OC super fair closing day race
Well run and fun To go through the OC Fair grounds. It was a while ago so I don't remember all the details. The event staff was professional and the … MORE
Well run and fun To go through the OC Fair grounds. It was a while ago so I don’t remember all the details. The event staff was professional and the race was cool.