Parking, schedule, shuttles: What you need to know for the 2026 Bakersfield Marathon

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Sunday is the big day. The 9th annual Bakersfield Marathon is hitting the pavement along the streets of Bakersfield. It’s one of the biggest events of the year in the city welcoming visitors from around the country and the globe.

The marathon is a marquee event for the city, runners, supporters cheering on their runner and participant and local businesses. Here’s what you need to know for the weekend.

Marathon event schedules

First things first, KGET is providing coverage of the Bakersfield Marathon on Sunday, March 22, 2026 beginning at 6:59 a.m. You can watch as the full marathon begins at 7:02 a.m. Be sure to watch on KGET TV 17 and streaming on KGET+. Click to here to learn more.

Health & Wellness Expo

The marathon also includes Saturday’s Health & Wellness Expo at the Kern County Museum located at 3801 Chester Ave. taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday is also the day of two events for the youngest runners — the Diaper Dash and the 1K Fun Run for kids age 12 and under. Bib pickup for those events takes place at 8 a.m.

The Diaper Dash 350-yard run for kids 5 and under begins at 9:15 a.m. the 1K Fun Run for kids age 12 and under begins at 9:40 a.m.

Participants in Sunday’s marathon events — the full-, half-, 10K and 6K — can pick up their bibs between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. All adults will need to show ID to pick up their bibs on Saturday. Participants under 18 years old must have their packets picked up by a parent or guardian and sign a waiver for that child.

How to watch the 2026 Bakersfield Marathon

Marathon race day

4 a.m. – Bakersfield College and Kern County Museum parking lots open

6:55 a.m. – National anthem

7:02 a.m. – Full marathon begins

7:07 a.m. – Half marathon begins

8 a.m. – Festival and food areas open

8:30 a.m. – Beer garden opens

2:02 p.m. – Finish line closes

2:45 p.m. – Beer garden closes

3:15 p.m. – Festival area closes

Parking for marathon race day

One of the first things organizers are stressing is to avoid going to the Kern County Museum unless you are an event VIP, legacy or full marathon participant with access. Parking at the museum and neighboring Stramler Park will be available for those groups only. Organizers are encouraging all to carpool to the event. Parking at the museum is open from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Instead, everyone else — supporters, fans, participants in other events — is being asked to go to Bakersfield College. The marathon is offering shuttle service from the college to the starting line and the Kern County Museum.

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At the college, parking will be available at the the Bakersfield College Panorama Campus northeast and southwest lots. The southeast lot is closed for construction. Lots will be open from 4 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The northeast lot is being offered for Bakersfield Marathon participants and will be closed between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. You are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot at the campus.

Participants in marathon events are encouraged to arrive an hour before the start of their race to account for any potential traffic or road closure delays.

The northeast lot is located at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Panorama Drive; the southwest lot is located at the corner of Haley Street and University Avenue.

How to get there

With road closures in place very early on race day, you will need directions to how to get to the Kern County Museum or Bakersfield College on race day.

Chester Avenue will be closed between Garces Circle to West Columbus Street for pedestrian safety.

If you are either event staff, VIP, legacy or full marathon participant, you can get to the Kern County Museum via Union Avenue, turning west onto 34th Street, then north onto Jewett Avenue, then west onto 40th Street.

You can also use Golden State Avenue, head north onto Q Street, turn west onto 34th Street, north onto Jewett Avenue, then west onto 40th Street to the museum.

To get to Bakersfield College via Highway 178 then using the Haley Street or Mount Vernon Avenue exits.

You can also use Highway 58 and taking the Mount Vernon Avenue exit and head north.

Maps: Course, road closures for the 2026 Bakersfield Marathon

Shuttle service between Bakersfield College and the Kern County Museum

Organizers said they are providing more shuttles for this year’s event. They will have 15 shuttles going back forth between the Kern County Museum and the Bakersfield College campus.

There are two shuttle pick-up locations at Bakersfield College. Shuttles will be running between 4 a.m. and 3 p.m. and picking up participants, visitors and guests of the marathon at the corners of Haley Street and University Avenue and Mount Vernon Avenue and University Avenue.

Restrooms

Marathon organizers have heard the feedback and said there will be more restrooms available at Bakersfield College and the Kern County Museum for this year’s event. Many more restrooms, in fact. Look for signs guiding you to their locations.

Road closures

The marathon course sprawls through several parts of Bakersfield. Some areas will see temporary road and street closures along the marathon course.

You can view those road closures at this page.

For all other information visit the Bakersfield Marathon’s website here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.

Parking, schedule, shuttles: What you need to know for the 2026 Bakersfield Marathon

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