In 48 days · Sun, Oct 4, 2026
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Sunday, October 4th, 2026
Sam Lynn BallPark, Bakersfield CA
Half · 10K · 5K
62–88°F · low rain risk
See last 10 years
On this date: rain 0 of the last 10 years
2025
56–76°F
dry
2024
74–105°F
dry
2023
62–93°F
dry
2022
63–93°F
dry
2021
65–94°F
dry
2020
70–100°F
dry
2019
52–79°F
dry
2018
62–77°F
dry
2017
53–80°F
dry
2016
51–72°F
dry
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About this race
EVENT OVERVIEW
THE LAST RACE IN OUR SERIES, JUDGMENT DAY...ONE OF THE BEST COURSES IN THE VALLEY!
HALF MARATHON DESCRIPTION
A VERY SCENIC COURSE. IT STARTS &: FINISHES AT THE HISTORIC SAM LYNN BALLPARK. YOU WILL RUN OUT THE BACK GATE TO THE PAVED KERN RIVER PAVED TRAIL (EAST) INTO THE PANORAMA VISTA PRESERVE (DIRT TRAILS) FOR A 3.5 MILE LOOP, AND THEN BACK ONTO THE KERN RIVER PAVED TRAIL TO CHINA GRADE ROAD. RUNNERS WILL TURN RIGHT ONTO THE ALFRED HARRELL HWY/CHINA GRADE LOOP (CLOSED ROAD) - YES THAT'S A CHALLENGING 1 MILE CLIMB UP TO THE PANORAMA BLUFFS, BUT EVERYONE LOVES IT, AND JUDGMENT DAY WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT IT! ONCE AT THE TOP, YOU WILL CONTINUE THROUGH PANORAMA PARK ALONG THE BLUFFS WITH AWESOME VISTA VIEWS, BEFORE SWEEPING BACK DOWN (CLOSED MANOR STREET EXIT) TO THE PAVED RUNNING TRAIL ALONG THE KERN RIVER, AND FINISHING BACK INSIDE THE BALLPARK.
10K COURSE DESCRIPTION
OUR 10K WAS INTRODUCED IN 2025, AND IT DID NOT DISSAPPOINT!
YOU WILL START WITH THE HALF MARATHON RUNNERS, STARTING INSIDE THE HISTORIC SAM LYNN BALLPARK, AND RUNNING OUT THE BACK GATE TO THE PAVED KERN RIVER PAVED TRAIL (EAST). AT MILE 2.8, THERE WILL BE "SPLIT" WHERE THE HALF MARATHON GOES LEFT, AND THE 10K COURSE GOES RIGHT, AND UP THE 0.40 MILE DIRT TRAIL, ABOUT 190' ELEVATION GAIN (STRAVA CALLS IT BLUFF HILL). ONCE AT THE TOP, YOU WILL JOIN THE PANORAMA PAVED TRAIL, AND CONTINUE THROUGH PANORAMA PARK ALONG THE BLUFFS WITH AWESOME VISTA VIEWS, BEFORE SWEEPING BACK DOWN (CLOSED MANOR STREET EXIT) TO THE PAVED RUNNING TRAIL ALONG THE KERN RIVER, AND FINISHING BACK INSIDE THE BALLPARK.
THESE COURSES HAVE EVERYTHING! START/FINISH INSIDE THE BALLPARK ON GRASS, PAVED TRAILS, DIRT TRAILS, PAVED (CLOSED) ROADS, AN UPHILL, A DOWNHILL, AND LOTS OF FUN!!
5K COURSE DESCRIPTION
START &: FINISH FROM INSIDE SAM LYNN BALLPARK, IT'S AN OUT &: BACK, ALL ON THE KERN RIVER (PAVED) TRAIL. IT IS FAST &: FLAT!!
RACE TIMES
HALF MARATHON &: 10K START TIME: 7:30AM
5K START TIME: 7:40AM
AID STATIONS
Aid Stations at Miles: 1.4, 3.6, 6.1, 7.1, 9.1, 10, and 11.6.
Porta Potties at Miles: 1.5, 3.6, 6.1, 7.1, 10, and 11.5.
WHAT MAKES THIS EVENT STAND OUT?
- Plenty of Aid Stations: They are FUN and go ALL OUT FOR YOU!!
- Interactive Race Day Experience: With RaceJoy.
- Live Results: Texted to Phone.
- FREE Hot Breakfast: Made Fresh.
- FREE La Rosa's Fruit Bars.
- FREE Race Photos.
- Post Race Michelob Ultra Beer Garden.
- Water, Electrolit, and GU: On the Course.
- DJ Music: On the Course &: Finish Venue.
- Top Age Group Awards.
- Overall Male &: Female Awards.
- Women's Race Tank Tops.
- Men's Race Short-Sleeve Shirt.
- Awesome Finisher Medals.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more details, visit the official race page: Judgment Day Half Marathon.
Course map
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