Father Joe’s holds annual Thanksgiving 5K in Balboa Park

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Father Joe’s Villages hosted its 18th annual Thanksgiving Day 5K in Balboa Park Thursday in support of the organization’s Food Services Program, which serves meals to homeless residents.

More than 6,500 people participated in the annual run around Balboa Park, which also featured a holiday festival, pancake breakfast, beer garden and live music. Father Joe’s seeks to raise $450,000 through the event, which will help the Food Services Program to serve its more than one million meals each year.

“The Thanksgiving Day 5k is one of Father Joe’s Villages’ longest- standing traditions. We get to see folks who grew up attending with their parents each Thanksgiving now bring children and families of their own,” said Father Joe’s President and CEO Deacon Jim Vargas. “The fact that they continue to show up in support of our programs is a true testament to our community’s dedication to serving their neighbors in need.”

The event began at 6:30 a.m. with a Roman Catholic mass while races began at 7:35 a.m. All races started at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 1549 El Prado.