Bakersfield Marathon

Bakersfield Marathon takes place in Bakersfield, California, on April 4, 2027, with four distances staggered through the morning: the marathon (26.2 miles) at 7:00 a.m., the half marathon (13.1 miles) at 7:05 a.m., the 10K at 7:40 a.m. and the 5K at 7:45 a.m. The routes run through the city's scenic and historic neighborhoods, with well-stocked aid stations along the way, and a post-race festival waits at the finish.

That range means a first 5K and a first marathon can happen on the same morning. If the full is your goal, an early-April date puts the bulk of the work in the winter: count on 16 to 20 weeks, a long run each week, and at least a couple that reach 18 to 20 miles. Runners using the half as a marathon rehearsal should practice their fueling exactly as they intend to race it.