The Bakersfield Marathon is California’s Central Valley answer to the big-city destination race — a no-frills, well-organized event that draws runners who are serious about their times. The course runs through the flat agricultural landscape and along the Kern River Parkway, one of Bakersfield’s best-kept secrets — a paved path system that follows the river through parks and open space, offering surprisingly scenic running in a city not typically known for it.
The November timing delivers some of the best running weather in the Central Valley — cool mornings in the 50s with clear skies, before the valley fog of December sets in. The flat course is one of the fastest in California, making it a popular choice for runners targeting a PR or Boston qualifying time without the crowds and expense of a major metro race.
Bakersfield is about two hours north of Los Angeles on Interstate 5, and Meadows Field Airport has limited commercial service. Most out-of-town runners drive in from LA or fly into LAX. The city’s Basque restaurant tradition is a unique draw — Bakersfield has one of the largest Basque communities in the country, and the family-style Basque restaurants serve massive pre-race dinners that are an experience in themselves.
