Fair Oaks Chicken Run 2026

About the Event

The Fair Oaks Chicken Run 2026 is a hallmark community tradition celebrating its 45th year on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Staged in the scenic village of Fair Oaks, California, this event is a key fixture of the 2026 RunSac Race Series. The headline 5-Mile Chicken Run is widely recognized as one of the most grueling courses in the Sacramento region, featuring a hybrid surface of paved roads and dirt trails. Runners must navigate four infamous inclines: Grand Daddy Hill, Hernia Hill, The Beast, and Last Gasp. For those seeking a less strenuous experience, the 2-Mile Rooster Ramble offers a paved route through the historic neighborhoods of Old Fair Oaks. The event operates as a primary fundraiser for the San Juan Education Foundation, supporting local schools and students.

Event	Start Time	Course Type	Inclusions
5-Mile Chicken Run	8:30 AM	Road & Trail (4 major hills)	Tee, Medal, Root Beer Float
2-Mile Rooster Ramble	8:30 AM	Paved Road (Old Fair Oaks)	Tee, Medal, Root Beer Float
Chicken Chase Kids Race	8:00 AM	1/4 & 1/2 Mile Fun Runs	Finisher Medal & Photos

Fair Oaks is a census-designated place in Sacramento County with a population of approximately 32,500 residents. The community is notable for its semi-rural atmosphere and its famous population of feral chickens that roam the village center. Demographically, the area is composed of approximately 81% White, 10% Hispanic or Latino, 4% Asian, and 2% Black or African American residents. The town boasts a high level of civic engagement and an average household income of roughly $115,000, which fuels the strong local support for the San Juan Education Foundation. The unique charm of the "Fair Oaks Village" serves as the backdrop for the race, blending historical California architecture with the natural beauty of the American River Parkway.

Participants are encouraged to register early, as this event consistently reaches its capacity weeks before race day. The race-day experience includes professional photography and a post-race celebration featuring root beer floats for all finishers. For logistics, packet pickup is available on the Saturday preceding the event at a location to be announced, with limited race-day pickup starting at 7:00 AM. As part of the larger Sacramento running community, the Chicken Run provides a challenging yet rewarding experience for athletes of all ages, maintaining its status as a bucket-list event for those looking to conquer the "four hills" of Sailor Bar.

Races Offered

2 Mile Rooster Ramble (Adults 18+)

May 03, 2026

straighten

Distance — 2mi

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

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$44.79

2 Mile Rooster Ramble (Youth)

May 03, 2026

straighten

Distance — 2mi

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

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$34.09

5 Mile Chicken Run (Adults 18+)

May 03, 2026

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Distance — 5mi

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

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$50.14

5 Mile Chicken Run (Youth)

May 03, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5mi

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$39.44

Chicken Chase Kids Race

May 03, 2026

straighten

Distance — 1mi

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$28.74

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Fair Oaks.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 12.3° / 28.2°

wb_sunny 10.1° / 25.8°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 9.7 /

water_drop 54.4%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 12.3° / 28.2°

wb_sunny 10.1° / 25.8°

air 9.7 km/h

water_drop 54.4%

About Fair Oaks

Learn more about the host city, Fair Oaks.

Fair Oaks is an unincorporated community in Sacramento County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento metropolitan area. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Fair Oaks as a census-designated place (CDP). The population was 32,514 at the 2020 census, up from 30,912 at the 2010 census. The Fair Oaks zip code is 95628 and its area codes are 916 and 279. It is bordered to the west by Carmichael, north by the city of Citrus Heights, to the east by Orangevale, and to the south by the American River.