The Palisades Fire destroyed homes and hearts, but it can never take away the Pacific Palisades iconic 4th of July celebration.
This year the Will Rogers 5K and the Children’s Run will take place because Palisadians are too strong to let one of the worst devastations in the town history take away our spirit and strength – and race T-shirts.
Three small changes for the July 4th race, 1) will take place at 7 a.m., 2) there will not be a 10K this year and (3) it will be held in Venice, now known as a suburb of Pacific Palisades. Signups and more information about the start of the race, the cost and the race course can be found at click here.
Two of the town’s favorite people Jimmy Dunne and Sam Lagana will be on hand to announce the race.
Also prior to the race is the swearing in of the town’s co-honorary mayors, Gigi Rice and Ted McGinley. They will raise their right hand and swear on a book “Growing Up in Pacific Palisades” (written by Stewart Slavin) promising to run the town better than it’s ever been run.
Co-honorary Palisades Mayors Ted McGinley and Gigi Rice will be sworn in prior to the Palisades 4th of July race that will be held in Venice “a Palisades suburb.” Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Additionally, this year, Pledge a free charitable fundraising platform, is partnering with the Race Foundation and the Will Rogers 5K to help rebuild the Palisades Recreation and Community Center.
Every runner who registers for the July 4th race will receive a personal fundraising page that they can easily share with friends and family wishing to support their run. One hundred percent of donations raised will go directly toward the reconstruction of the Pali Rec Center and surrounding area. The goal is to raise $500,000 and you can see the progress towards this goal on the main fundraising page here.
Founded and led by Pacific Palisades native James Citron, Pledge has been a driving force behind local and citywide relief efforts — powering donations for LA Strong Sports Foundation and Steadfast.LA, Pledge has helped raise over $200 million for charitable causes around the world. #pledgetodogood,