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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 Sunday is the big day. The 9th annual Bakersfield Marathon is hitting the pavement along the streets of Bakersfield. It\u2019s one of the biggest events of the year in the city welcoming visitors from around the country and the globe.<\/p>\n
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The marathon is a marquee event for the city, runners, supporters cheering on their runner and participant and local businesses. Here\u2019s what you need to know for the weekend.<\/p>\n
Marathon event schedules<\/p>\n
First things first, KGET is providing coverage<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Health & Wellness Expo<\/p>\n The marathon also includes Saturday\u2019s Health & Wellness Expo at the Kern County Museum located at 3801 Chester Ave. taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Saturday is also the day of two events for the youngest runners \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Participants in Sunday\u2019s marathon events \u2014 the full-, half-, 10K and 6K \u2014 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.<\/p>\n How to watch the 2026 Bakersfield Marathon <\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Marathon race day<\/p>\n 4 a.m. \u2013 Bakersfield College and Kern County Museum parking lots open<\/p>\n 6:55 a.m. \u2013 National anthem<\/p>\n 7:02 a.m. \u2013 Full marathon begins<\/p>\n 7:07 a.m. \u2013 Half marathon begins<\/p>\n 8 a.m. \u2013 Festival and food areas open<\/p>\n 8:30 a.m. \u2013 Beer garden opens<\/p>\n 2:02 p.m. \u2013 Finish line closes<\/p>\n 2:45 p.m. \u2013 Beer garden closes<\/p>\n 3:15 p.m. \u2013 Festival area closes<\/p>\n Parking for marathon race day<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Instead, everyone else \u2014 supporters, fans, participants in other events \u2014 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Watch 17 News, After Sunrise and more local news free on your smart TV. Click to learn more about KGET+ <\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n How to get there<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Chester Avenue will be closed between Garces Circle to West Columbus Street for pedestrian safety.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n To get to Bakersfield College via Highway 178 then using the Haley Street or Mount Vernon Avenue exits.<\/p>\n You can also use Highway 58 and taking the Mount Vernon Avenue exit and head north.<\/p>\n Maps: Course, road closures for the 2026 Bakersfield Marathon <\/a><\/p>\n Shuttle service between Bakersfield College and the Kern County Museum<\/p>\n Organizers said they are providing more shuttles for this year\u2019s event. They will have 15 shuttles going back forth between the Kern County Museum and the Bakersfield College campus.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s event. Many more restrooms, in fact. Look for signs guiding you to their locations.<\/p>\n Road closures<\/p>\n The marathon course sprawls through several parts of Bakersfield. Some areas will see temporary road and street closures along the marathon course.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n You can view those road closures at this page.<\/a><\/p>\n For all other information visit the Bakersfield Marathon\u2019s website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/72e7026067f7de8c220df288a01ba29e.jpeg\"\/)
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Restrooms<\/p>\n