A celebration of two decades of gratitude, resilience, and community along the Oceanside coast.
Twenty years ago, before dawn on Thanksgiving morning, 2,000 runners lined up on Coast Highway under pink Oceanside skies. The ocean air was crisp, the energy electric, and the idea simple: gather a community to move their feet before they eat.
From that modest start, the O’side Turkey Trot has grown into one of the top Thanksgiving Day runs in the country—attracting participants from across the world, raising over half a million dollars for local schools and nonprofits, and weaving itself into the fabric of North County life.
At its heart, the event has always been about more than running—it’s about why people run. The stories behind the finish-line smiles tell the true story of the Trot.
A Friendship That Started It All
In 2006, local businessman Richard Muscio called his friend, race organizer Kathy Kinane, with a simple idea: Oceanside should have its own Thanksgiving run. With Kathy’s experience directing races and Richard’s passion for community health, the pair brought the first O’side Turkey Trot to life.
They chose Oceanside because of its coastal beauty and its newly built underpass that kept runners safely moving even when trains rolled through town. “We wanted to create something that united the community,” Kinane recalls. “Richard’s vision was a race that families could share together, year after year.”
Two decades later, the race still fulfills that dream—drawing thousands who lace up not just for fitness, but for tradition, gratitude, and connection.
After Richard’s passing, his wife Mari Muscio continued championing the event he helped create. Each Thanksgiving morning, she stands at the start line, watching the sea of runners flood Coast Highway. “It’s amazing to see how one idea became a tradition that means so much to so many,” she said.
Legacies of Love and Family
Few stories capture that sense of family like Team Austin Bice. When Austin passed away while studying abroad, his parents, Larry and Cathy Bice, turned grief into something powerful. They gathered Austin’s friends, family, and the community to honor him at the Turkey Trot.
“Running became our way to remember him,” Larry Bice said. “It brought people together the way Austin always did.”
At its peak, Team Austin Bice drew more than 500 participants and raised funds for the Austin Bice Memorial Scholarship, supporting students headed to San Diego State University. Their story of resilience and love has become part of the Trot’s DNA.
Another story of legacy comes from Christy Baker, whose 90-year-old grandmother walked the Turkey Trot in 2010—and won her age group. “She was over the moon,” Christy said. Her grandmother’s joy at the finish line inspired Christy to get involved behind the scenes; today, she’s part of the team that brings the Trot to life each year. “It’s a full-circle moment,” she said. “Every race feels like she’s still out there cheering us on.”
Rain or Shine
Even the rain can’t dampen the O’side spirit. A few years back, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce arrived ready to run the Trot, only for a sudden downpour to wash out the kids’ race. “My family was waiting for me downtown, drenched but laughing,” Joyce recalled. “We didn’t get to run that year, but we still made a memory we’ll never forget.”
Even when the weather didn’t cooperate, the Joyces’ laughter captured the heart of what makes the Trot special—time together and traditions that endure, rain or shine.
Resilience in Motion
The Trot has long been a space for stories of recovery and strength. For Roxanne Ducas, the race became a celebration of her mother’s perseverance. After being bedridden by an autoimmune disease, Roxanne’s mom set a goal: to walk the Turkey Trot. Months later, with the help of her walker, she crossed the finish line—smiling through tears and ocean mist.
Raymond Coronel found his own rebirth in running after surviving cardiac arrest in 2022. “I used to take every heartbeat for granted,” he said. “Now, I run because I can.” The Trot has become his Thanksgiving ritual—each mile a reminder of gratitude and life renewed.
Others, like Olivia Milner, find meaning in marking milestones of survival. Injured in a 1999 bombing in South Africa that cost her a leg, Olivia celebrates her life every year by running the Trot. “It’s not about what I lost,” she said. “It’s about what I still have.”
The Joy of the Flock
The Trot’s charm also lies in its joyful chaos—the costumes, the laughter, the families running in turkey hats and pumpkin-pie tutus. Oceanside’s streets come alive with energy that’s equal parts race and reunion.
Local runner Jimmy Kappel joined on a whim after his landlord offered to cover his entry fee. “I figured, why not?” he laughed. “By the end, I’d met half the town.” His story might make people smile, but it captures what makes the event special—a sense of belonging that transcends competition.
From multi-generation families like Jennifer Wilson and her granddaughter, who’ve crossed the finish line together every year since she was born, to newcomers like Kimberly Clark, who joined her first Trot as a way to meet neighbors, each participant adds another thread to the event’s rich tapestry.
And behind the scenes, the volunteers, school teams, and local businesses—like the longtime support of the El Camino High School Cross Country Team—keep the spirit strong year after year.
Gratitude in Every Step
The O’side Turkey Trot isn’t just about personal triumph; it’s also about community impact. Over 20 years, participants have raised more than $500,000 for local schools and nonprofits.
This year, the Trot is featuring the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank as the race’s official nonprofit partner, helping provide Thanksgiving meals for local families in need. “It’s incredible to know that a morning of fun can ripple out and change lives,” Kinane said.
A Tradition That Moves Us Forward
As the sun rises over Oceanside Pier each Thanksgiving morning, the crowd swells—families, friends, first-timers, and seasoned runners ready to celebrate together. Some come to honor loved ones, others to chase personal goals, and many simply to give thanks with every step.
From the founders who dreamed it up to the families who return year after year, the O’side Turkey Trot has become more than an event—it’s a reflection of a community that shows up, gives back, and keeps moving forward.
Twenty years, twenty moments—and countless reasons to be grateful.
