Almond Bowl 5K & 10K November 1st, 2026

Join us, in person, on November 1st, 2026 for the 52nd Annual Almond Bowl in the beautiful Lower Bidwell Park!

Keeping with the Chico tradition we will be hosting a 5k and 10k race starting on South Park Drive and finishing near the Sycamore Field. The price of this race includes your race shirt from Upper Park Clothing, a race bib for you to wear during your run and plenty of post-race snacks for after your run! 

This race, along with the Bidwell classic, are fundraisers for our local high school's cross-country teams and band programs! Additional donations can be accepted in the registration page! 

 

RACE START TIMES

5k: 8:00am

10k: 8:10am

 

REGISTRATION

Registration for this year's Almond Bowl will be available online. In person registration will be available during packet pick up only. 

 

Race Fee Schedule

Dec 11th - March 31st - (online)              10k $50.00

                                                                        5k $40.00

April. 1st - August. 31st - (online)           10k $55.00

                                                                        5k $45.00

September 1st - Oct. 30th                        10k $60.00

(online @ 9am)                                             5k $50.00

In person Registration at Packet Pickup 
 
                                                                      10k $60.00

                                                                        5k $50.00
 

In person registration will be available at Fleet Feet Chico during packet pickup ONLY. (October 30th and 31st, 2026) Packet pickup will be from 10:00am - 2:00pm Friday and 9:00am - 2:00pm on Saturday. 

 
Registration Information
Online registration closes October 30th at 9:00 a.m. Registration will be available in person on October 30th and 31st at Fleet Feet Chico from 10am-2pm on Friday and 9am-2pm on Saturday. You need to Register by Friday October 9th to guarantee yourself race shirt. If you register between October 9th - November 1st your shirt will NOT be guaranteed. Limited number of extra shirts will be available first come first serve at packet pickup. All left over shirts/unclaimed shirts will be available for pickup or for sale (non-registered runners) AFTER the race on November 1st. Shirts will be first come first serve starting at 9:00am.  

OFFICAL COURSE CERTIFICATION AND MAPS

5K and 10K: Flat, fast loop through beautiful (newly paved!) lower Bidwell Park. 

Click here for both course maps.

 

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING FOR OPTIONAL RACE LOCATION

To the course:
Enter Chico via Highway 99 either from the north or from the south. If you are coming from the north on 99, take the Highway 32 offramp and turn right at the first intersection. If you are coming from the south on 99, take the Highway 32 offramp and turn left at the second intersection. Now you're heading west on 32 (East 8th St). From here. If coming from north 99 take the highway 32 exit and turn right onto 8th St. 

Take 8th St just under a half-mile, then turn right on Sycamore St.
Sycamore St runs a few blocks into Woodland Ave, which runs parallel to the park. The park itself will be closed to vehicle traffic on race day, so find a parking spot on or near Woodland Ave. Please be courteous and park legally. Do not park in a way that blocks local residents' entry to or exit from their homes.
There are several entrances to the One Mile Recreation Area from Woodland Ave. For race-day packet pickup, look for the sign marked pre-Registered. For any other assistance, make your way to the Information booth.

 

PACKET PICKUP

Packet pickup will be held at Fleet Feet Chico on the following days and times:

Friday and Saturday October 30th and 31st, 2026

10:00am-2:00pm (Friday)

9:00am-2:00pm (Saturday)

Fleet Feet - Chico
241 Main Street
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 345-1000

 
Race Rules:
Be courteous when overtaking slower runners or walkers in your elected race location. We want you to race hard and fast, but with safety of yourself and others in mind.

Where your Race number so it is visible on the participant's front!

Run your race with pride!

You must cross the timing mat for your chip to be read. If you are planning of racing for top finisher, the race is based on gun time and first to cross the finish line.

All other placements (age groups) will be based on chip timing.

Run, hard, run fast and have fun!

No pets will be allowed on course during the race.

All strollers must start at the back of the pack.

Thank you for understanding. 
 

AID STATIONS AND RESTROOMS
There will be 3 for the 10k and 2 for the 5k.

1.     Cedar Grove Bathrooms – Water 
2.     Peterson Drive Gate – Water 
3.     99 Overpass (Vallombrosa side) – Water
Restroom on the course will be located at One Mile recreation on the North and South side of the pool, Cedar Grove Park, and Pettersen Dr. Park entrance as well as portable restrooms at the start and finish.
 
 

T-SHIRTS AND AWARDS
Guaranteed Tee-shirt cutoff is October 9th, 2026

Cotton Poly blend shirts from Upper Park Clothing Co. will be provided to all participants who register for this event before the tee shirt cutoff. (10/9/26) Any participant who registers on or before October 9th will be guaranteed a race tee. Any participant who registers after October 10th will be able to receive a race shirt based on a limited size availability (very few extras will be ordered). Any shirts not picked up at packet pick up prior to the race will be available on a first come first serve basis to all paid runners for pick up, and available for sale to any unregistered spectators starting at 9:00am at the Fleet Feet booth. 
All shirts come in adult male (unisex) sizes, so you may wish to choose a smaller size than normal for female and child runners. No youth sizes will be available. 
 

AWARDS FOR TOP FINISHERS
 
We will be offering a CASH PRIZE Top male and female for each race! (5k & 10k) We will have an award ceremony at 8:30am for the 5k, 9:00am for the 10k.
 
Age group awards can be found at the Fleet Feet tent following the award ceremony for each race. 
(Awards will also be offered to the top three in each age group category for each gender in each race)
 
All unclaimed prized will be available for pick up at Fleet Feet Chico on Tuesday 3rd during regular business hours. (10:00am-5:00pm)

Age group brackets will be as followed: 

14 and under / 15-19 / 20-29 / 30-39 / 40-49 / 50-59 / 60-69 / 70 and over
  
For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected]

**No Refunds on race entries or merchandise purchased for this event**