8 running events in Los Angeles County, California

Black Maternal Health Week 2026 is almost here!

April 11-17th is Black Maternal Health Week and we are hosting our 4rd annual 5K Walk to help raise awareness..

The Black infant and maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. is a national issue. Beauty for Ashes Maternal Wellness Inc .is hosting a 5K Walk to raise awareness, and to raise funds to provide support to families in need.

Black women and birthing people are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes and complications than their white counterparts. Most pregnancy related deaths are preventable. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as structural racism, implicit bias, variation in quality healthcare, and underlying chronic conditions. Social determinants of health have historically prevented many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health.

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) was founded and is led by Black Mamas Matter Alliance. BMHW takes place annually from April 11-17 and was recognized by the White House on April 13, 2021. It is a week of awareness, advocacy, activism, and collaboration​ to amplify ​the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.

This year's theme is "Rooted in Justice & Joy".

Purpose: To raise awareness, promote activism, and amplify community-driven, Reproductive Justice-centered care.

Infant mortality is defined as death during the first year of life. The United States has a high infant mortality rate, and Black babies are in the gravest danger, with an infant mortality rate in 2018 of 10.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to a rate of 4.6 White babies per 1,000 live births.

Day of the Black Infant The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared April 16 as the Day of the Black Infant.

Doula support has been shown to help improve birth outcomes so we are working to make doula support more accessible to Black birthing families, while also supporting the doulas that have committed themselves to providing that support. Click here to learn more about the evidence on doula support

Beauty for Ashes Maternal Wellness, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of women, infants and birthing families as well as the birth workers that are called to serve them. Funds raised will be used to cover the cost of labor and postpartum doula support, lactation support, and supplemental supportive services including transportation and nutritional support. To learn more about the programs and services we provide, please click here .

The walk will be held in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Birth Equity Consortium Doula Hub located at 5838 Overhill Dr. #3 L.A. CA, 90043.

Our Virtual walk is for people that are not local to Los Angeles but would still like to support and show solidarity. We will kick off the virtual walk on Saturday April 11th and continue through Sunday April 12th. Participants can walk anytime, any where. We look forward to seeing and sharing all of your pictures and videos, so don't forget to tag www.instagram.com/beauty4ashesmaternalwellness Join us and help save Black moms and babies.

DON'T FORGET THE HASHTAGS

#BMHW2026 #BFAMW #BEAUTY4AHSESWELLNESS #BLACKMATERNALHEALTHWEEK #BIRTHJUSTICE #ENDMATERNALMORTALITY

DATES TO REMEMBER

• APRIL 1-30: NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

• APRIL 11-17: BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK

• APRIL 11-12: VIRTUAL WALK Walk anytime, anywhere throughout the weekend in solidarity with us

• APRIL 11: INTERNATIONAL DAY for MATERNAL HEALTH RIGHTS

• APRIL 11: COMMUNITY 5K WALK IN LOS ANGELES

• APRIL 16: DAY OF THE BLACK INFANT

Race Shirt/Bib Packet Pickup

Race Shirt/Bib packet pickup will be held FRIDAY, APRIL 24th from 3pm to 5pm at Ridgecrest Intermediate School, 28915 Northbay Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes.

Late packet and t-shirt pickup will be the morning of the event starting at 6:30AM, at Promenade PV, NOT AT RIDGECREST INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not receive an email confirming your registration, you may not have registered. We are asking all runners to bring a copy of their confirmation email when picking up race gear. If you did not receive one, please contact Joseph Jaramillo at [email protected] to determine if you're on the list of runners as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Race Awards

Medals will be awarded to the top Male and Female finishers in each category.

Runners are divided by grade level for students and then age group for everyone else.

Medals for both male and female participants are divided into the following grade/age brackets:

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Ages 14-17, 18-34, 35-44, 45-59, 60-74, 75+

Join us for the 2026 Hills Are Alive 5k Run/Walk and 10k Run!

Race: Saturday May 30, 2026

Options: 5K Run or Walk, 10K Run, Virtual 5k or 10k

Runners/walkers will meet at the historic Ernie Howlett Park on Saturday, May 30!

Check-in begins at 7 am and the race starts at 8 am.

Runners/Walkers will be able to enjoy a scenic trail route which runs through our City’s bridle trails and ends back at the park. All registered participants receive an event t-shirt and custom medal. Winners for the 5k and 10k events will receive trophies (first place only; women and men).

PACKET PICK-UP:

Packet pick-up for in-person runners or walkers, who registered prior to Friday, May 29, will take place on Friday, May 29th, at City Hall located at 4045 Palos Verdes Drive North in the Council Chambers from 9:00 am-4:30 pm. Any in-person runners or walkers who register on Friday, May 30 or on race day will pick up their packets at Ernie Howlett Park the day of the race.

Fees: 5k and 10k

Early Registration - $30 until 3/31/26 at 11:59 pm

Standard Registration - $40 until 5/29/26 at 8:00 pm

Day of Registration - $45 - IN-PERSON ONLY from 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM

Please Note: There are no strollers or dogs allowed on the race course

To view race course map for 5k and 10k please visit our City website HERE.

2026 Cal Tri Castaic Lake - 6.20.25

18 EVENT OPTIONS. 6 Olympic distance events (Triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 1640 Yard Swim & 10K Run), 6 Sprint distance events (Triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 400 yard Swim & 5K Run) and 6 Youth Sprint distance events (Triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 400 yard Swim & 5K Run). Triathlon = swim + bike + run. Typically, the swim and run distances are standard but the bike distance varies from race to race. Check out the course maps for more detailed information.

CASTAIC LAKE.

The 35th annual Castaic Lake Triathlon takes place at scenic Castaic Lake just 20 miles north of Los Angeles. The Castaic Lake Recreation Area, located just north of Santa Clarita, is an 11,200-acre multi-use facility with two lakes, boating, world class fishing, hiking, walking, horseback riding, wake boarding, jet-skiing, camping, picnicking, kayaking, and sailing. August is a great time to enjoy the water in the high 60s, and a staging area aptly named Paradise Cove. "Tri-cation" Friday night camping available through Castaic Lake.

THE COURSE.

The swim course is a modified V shape in Paradise Cove at Castaic Lake, with 8 lifeguards in the water on paddleboards. The bike course then goes out on back roads to limit your interaction with cars. The bike course does include some U-turns on back roads to allow this, so athletes should slow down at the turn around points. The run is primarily on the rolling trails overlooking Castaic Lake.

WHO WE SUPPORT

All proceeds will benefit the Canyon High School Cross Country and Track Teams (we've been doing this for 33 years to support our programs).

This is a great triathlon for new triathletes. For years our coaches and athletes have encouraged new triathletes (young and old), and created a welcoming atmosphere of support. We offer an enjoyable experience for triathletes of all experience levels.

AIR TEMPERATURE (AVG).

Mid June temperatures are often cooler in the morning, with early morning fog burning off to reach the mid 80s. Our event will possibly be around 60 degrees.

WATER TEMPERATURE (AVG).

Water temps in June typically range in the mid to high 60s. Email updates will be sent out closer to the race with updates. Use the 20% CALTRI2025 discount code at blueseventy. Note: Fusion wetsuits not eligible for discount.

This event is a fundraiser for Chingonas on the Run and an opportunity to bring our community together through running and camping.

[72.png] Chingonas on the Run: Camp & Loop [72.png] [72.png] [72.png]

Where miles, mountains, and mujeres meet.

Join us for a weekend that’s more than just miles — it’s a celebration of grit, comunidad, and the kind of campfire connections that linger long after the headlamps switch off.

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, you’ll take on a 6-hour challenge to complete as many loops as your legs (and ganas) can handle within the 6-hour timeframe. Each loop is 4.16 miles with 728 ft of gain, winding through sweet single track trails in the heart of the Angeles National Forest, summiting Mount Hillyer each time you circle. The loop starts and finishes at basecamp where our aid station will be ready to keep you fueled, hydrated, and cheered on — every lap, every time. Click here to view route.

Note the cut-off to start the last loop is 11:45 AM. Chingonas have the option to set out for one last loop by 11:45 AM or hang out at basecamp to ring their cowbell to welcome the remaining finishers. As a reminder you are encouraged to run at your own pace and ability. We are here to support you on any goal you set for yourself within the 6-hour time frame.

[72.png] The Flow

Saturday, June 27, 2026:

Camp check-in opens 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (no late arrivals). Find your spot, pitch your tent, settle in under the pines. Your campground fee is included in your registration, so all you need is your gear and your ganas — and if you don’t have gear, no problem! Email us and we’ll connect you with resources to borrow what you need.

Sunday, June 28, 2026:

The loop begins at 7:00 AM, weaving through that sweet single track with your Chingona crew towards Mount Hillyer. Each loop starts and ends at our basecamp aid station, stocked with snacks, hydration, and all the encouragement you need to keep going, loop after loop. Run your heart out until the clock strikes 1:00 PM — see how many summits you can bag before the final bell rings.

When the loops are done, it’s time for a post-run celebration. Gather for a hearty lunch meal, swap stories, laugh under the pines, and soak up that Chingona magic. You’ll walk away with a finisher’s medal and a keepsake to remember every brave mile and every unstoppable smile.

Closing ceremony will end at 5:30 PM, runners will be able to clean-up and depart between 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (Note: Sunset is at 8:07PM).

[72.png] What’s Included

Trail Aid: Aid station at the start/finish of each 4.16-mile loop fully stocked with food, snacks, hydration, and high-fives.

Food & Fuel: Grab-and-go breakfast Sunday morning, dinner Saturday night, a hearty post-run lunch Sunday evening and grab-and-go refreshments throughout the event.

Welcome Goodie Bag: Festival Swag

Finish Line Love: A finisher’s medal — because your miles deserve to be remembered.

Photos: FREE event photos by a professional photographer.

Post-Run Celebration: Stick around for post-run celebration activities — laughter, storytelling, and community under the pines.

Campground Fee: Included in your registration — one less thing to worry about.

Parking Pass: Included in your registration.

Need Gear? No gear, no problem — email us and we’ll connect you to resources to borrow camping gear. We’ve got you, amiga.

[72.png] This is for You

Bring your miles, your messy, your brave. Bring your tent, your trail shoes, your hunger for connection and your wild, resilient heart. No gear, no problem — email us and we’ll connect you to resources to borrow camping gear. We’ve got you, amiga. This is where Chingonas lift each other up — loop by loop, mile by mile, under the endless Angeles sky.

This event is for women and those whose identity aligns with womanhood — trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive folks are warmly welcome. To honor this safe space, this event is closed to cis men.