By John Todd | Rio Linda Online
Published Oct. 6, 2026
RIO LINDA — Rio Linda residents will have an opportunity to get moving for a good cause this Thanksgiving season when The Great Gobble Run, a 5K charity fun run benefiting the Rio Linda/Elverta Food Closet, takes off Saturday, Nov. 21.
The community fundraiser will start and finish at the Rio Linda Community Center, 810 Oak Lane, with the 5K beginning at 9 a.m. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m.
With the theme “Small Town. Big Hearts.”, organizers are emphasizing that the Great Gobble Run isn’t just for serious runners. Participants are invited to “walk, run or wobble” their way through the course, with all ages and abilities encouraged to participate.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Rio Linda/Elverta Food Closet, helping the local organization provide food and assistance to families in our community.
A 5K Through Rio Linda
The 3.1-mile course begins at the Rio Linda Community Center and heads south along the Northern Sacramento Bike Trail.
Participants will cross Elkhorn Boulevard at the designated crosswalk and continue south past Hayer Park and the Rio Linda Airport toward Bell Acqua Lakes. The turnaround is located just beyond the lakes, approximately 1.5 miles from the Community Center.
Runners and walkers will then retrace the route north to the finish at the Community Center.
The event brings together recreation, community involvement and support for neighbors who need a helping hand — particularly appropriate as Rio Linda and Elverta head into the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Sponsorships Available
Organizers are also seeking local businesses and community supporters to help sponsor the inaugural event.
Sponsorship opportunities range from $50 to $500, with benefits varying by level.
The top $500 “Grand Gobbler” sponsorship includes two 5K entries and T-shirts, prominent business-logo placement, a 3-by-6-foot banner, media acknowledgments, social media promotion and race-day recognition.
Additional sponsorship levels include the $300 Proud Strutter, $100 Flock Member and $50 Trail Sign Trailblazer.
The Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce is serving as the fiscal sponsor for the event. According to the event materials, sponsorship checks should be made payable to the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce.
The deadline for sponsorships is Oct. 1, 2026. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
Great Gobble Run
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026
Check-in: 7:30 a.m.
5K start: 9 a.m.
Where: Rio Linda Community Center
Address: 810 Oak Lane, Rio Linda
Distance: 5K / 3.1 miles
Beneficiary: Rio Linda/Elverta Food Closet
Open to: All ages and abilities
Whether you’re planning to race the entire course, walk it with friends and family or simply “wobble” your way to the finish line, the goal is the same: have some fun while helping put food on the tables of local families.
Small town. Big hearts.
The Great Gobble Run has also been added to the RLO calendar for Saturday, Nov. 21, with check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the race starting at 9 a.m. The calendar entry includes the Community Center location, beneficiary and course information.
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