We may be a small town, but we have a big heart. Photo courtesy of Sheena McGowan


RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) – Looking for a fun way to engage with your community while giving back to those in need? Just in time for Thanksgiving, the first ever Great Gobble Run is coming to Rio Linda this November! The Great Gobble Run is a new charity fun run for the Rio Linda/Elverta Food Closet held just before Thanksgiving. 

All proceeds raised from the ticket sales for the run will directly benefit the Rio Linda/Elverta Food Closet providing food and assistance to local families in need. 

Founder and organizer of the event, Sheena McGowan, first had the idea for the run last Thanksgiving during the Sacramento Food Bank’s dinner and wanted to bring something similar to our local food closet. After her epiphany, McGowan got in touch with Project Manager, Katherine Green and received sponsorship from the Chamber of Commerce, allowing her new idea, The Great Gobble Run, to operate as a nonprofit. 

The Great Gobble run is a 5k run, just over three miles in total. Participants are welcome to run, jog or walk the course with their friends, family and neighbors. The run will begin at 9 in the morning with check-in at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The run will begin at the Rio Linda Community Center and heads south down the Northern California Bike Trail. After you get to the end you turn around and head back north on the same bike trail towards the Community Center. This includes crossing the crosswalk on Elkhorn Boulevard turning around just past Bella Aqua Lakes, which is one and a half miles from the Community Center.

 The Great Gobble Run map. Photo courtesy of Sheena McGowan

This is the first year for the Great Gobble Run, but it won’t be the last. McGowan plans on making this event an annual event every November. 

“I want to make this a reoccurring event on the third Saturday of November, that way it still allows for family events for Thanksgiving,” said McGowan. 

McGowan also wants to acknowledge the strong support from the top sponsors of this event which are The Rio Linda/Elverta Chamber of Commerce, Rio Linda/Elverta Recreation and Park District, Near You Pest Control, Rio Linda Dental and Boddie Family Boxing Academy.

“Come out to support! Within our community we already do so much, this is just one step further to support our neighbors. Every registration helps the community,” said McGowan. 

Tickets are currently $35 while it is free for participants under 12 with paid registration of parent or guardian. For more information and to purchase a ticket visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-great-gobble-run-2026-tickets-1994423767176.

Learn more about the event! Sheena McGowan will be hosting information booths for the run at the Rio Linda Country Faire on the weekend of Sept. 19 and at the Celebrate North Highlands event on Sept. 26.

We may be a small town, but we have a big heart. We can’t wait to see you at the starting line!