People participating in a Taco 5K race at the beach, wearing costumes resembling tacos, holding plates of food, smiling, with palm trees and ocean in the background.

THE TACO 5K™

Silhouette of two palm trees on a small island.
A person jumping into a large body of water beneath a cloudy sky

“The World’s Slowest 5K”

Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026

Location: Encinitas, CA (Highway 101 Route)

Get Tickets!
Tall palm trees against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
A plate with three tacos topped with various fresh chopped vegetables, cilantro, and lime wedges, placed on a colorful paper liner on a light blue table.
People sharing a meal at an outdoor restaurant, with tacos, a bottle of apple soda, and a burger on the table.
Group of five runners in athletic clothes and race bibs, enjoying snacks and drinks after a race, beside a small wooden snack stand with palm trees, colorful buildings, and surfboards in the background, sunny day at a beachside location.

Not Your Average 5K

A cartoon running taco character with a 5K bib, wearing sneakers, and a headband, smiling and giving a fist pump.

The Taco 5K™ is a walking fiesta that blends food, fun, and fitness into one unforgettable coastal adventure.


It’s a casual stroll through Encinitas’ taco scene, with taco stops, live music, and silly challenges that keep the good vibes going all day long.

Learn more

Event Details

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Date

From 10 AM – 1:45 PM

Start Times

(Participants who wish to receive their medal should finish before 4:30pm.)

Duration

2–3 hours

Highway 101, Encinitas, CA

Location

Race bib, t-shirt, 1 taco per stop, medal & more!

Includes

$47–$55 (Early Bird & Group Discounts)

Price

Why You’ll Love It

A simple line drawing of a taco with lettuce and cheese.
Line drawing of a taco with lettuce, meat, and toppings

Taco Stops Galore:

Local favorites serve one taco per stop — included with your ticket.

A Mexican sombrero hat with decorative patterns and a wide brim.
Line drawing of a sombrero hat with decorative patterns

Fiesta Challenges:

Earn points along the route toward the Grand Prize.

Icon of three musical notes on a black background.
Three orange musical notes on a black background

Live Music & Coastal Vibes:

Keep the fiesta energy alive from start to finish.

Black and white illustration of a sports jersey with the number 103 on the front.
Outline of a running back jersey with the number 103.

Staggered Start Times:

Choose your wave and walk at your own pace (10 AM – 1:45 PM).

Award ribbon with a star in the center and two tails hanging down
Illustration of a medal ribbon with a star in the center, in orange and black colors.

Costume Contest:

Bring your taco-themed A-game for extra points and prizes.

Icon of a group of three people, one in the front and two behind, representing a team or community.
Icon of three people, representing a group or team.

Family & Group Friendly:

All ages welcome — kids, friends, abuelas too.

Explore Encinitas One Taco at a Time

Cartoon hamburger character with legs and sneakers walking
Map of a coastal route starting at Raul's Shack and ending near the ocean with palm trees, red sun, and waves. Shows various restaurants along the route: Roberto's Mexican Food, Jorge's MexiCatten, Hago's Organic Taco, Juanita's Taco Shop, and Koto's fishery in Menatua City.

(CLICK TO DOWNLOAD)

The Taco 5K ™ winds through Encinitas’ iconic coastal strip, featuring multiple taco shops and local hotspots.

With starting times from 10 AM to 1:45 PM and a 2–3 hour average walk time. Finish the day with a full heart (and a full stomach).

Get Tickets!

FAQ

Got questions?
We got answers.

  • About 2–3 hours depending on pace.

  • Absolutely. All ages welcome with a ticket.

  • Yes, select taco stops offer them.

View Full FAQ

Tacos

🌮

Fitness

🏃‍♀️

Friendship

🪇

Tacos 🌮 Fitness 🏃‍♀️ Friendship 🪇

A circular logo for The Taco 5K, featuring a taco, two palm trees, and wavy lines representing water, with the text "THE TACO 5K ENCHANTAS, CA" around the circle.
Three runners celebrating at a taco stand after a 5K race, with two of them in costume and a sign reading 'Taco 5K - The World's Slowest 5K'.
A digital line graph with two horizontal lines, displaying data trends with red, yellow, and orange colors on a black background.
Heatmap visualization with color gradients from blue to red, indicating varying levels of data intensity.

Join the Fiesta!

Silhouette of two orange palm trees on a small island at sunset.
Get Tickets!
Logo for Jorge's Mexi-Catessen with red text and a black background.
Roberts American Food logo in red text with a curved underline.
Logo with red, bold text that says "HAGGIS" and smaller red text underneath that says "ORGANIC JAGO" on a black background, with a light blue bar at the bottom.
Logo for Daddy T's Taco Shop featuring a girl in a chef's hat and apron, holding a grocery basket, with red text above and below.
Red circular logo with a stylized dragon and the text "Kattab" across the center, with additional text "Established to the Fit in the Bar" around the top edge.
Bright red 3D text reading "RAUL'S SHACK" against a black background.
A cartoon potato character running in a 5K race, wearing a headband, red shoes, and a bib with '5K' on it, smiling and making a fist gesture.

Follow Our Journey

Get a taste of what’s coming — follow @TheTaco5K for behind-the-scenes previews, partner taco highlights, and contest announcements.

You don’t need running buddies. You need taco buddies. 🌮😎 Walk, snack, and laugh your way through The World’s Slowest 5K! 📅 Jan 24, 2026 | Encinitas, CA 🎟️ thetaco5k.com #TheTaco5K #TacoRun #EncinitasEvents #CommunityFun
Behind every great 5K… there’s an even greater taco. 🌮🔥 A huge shoutout to the incredible local taco shops that make The Taco 5K possible! From classic carne asada to crispy fish tacos, these Encinitas icons bring the flavor, heart, a
They’re not just taco shops, they’re Encinitas taco royalty. 👑🌮 Meet the incredible local legends bringing the flavor to The Taco 5K! From crispy classics to saucy favorites, each stop adds a unique twist to your taco-fueled adventure