Bidwell Classic 5K, 10k and Half Marathon March 7th, 2026

🏃‍♂️Join Us for the Bidwell Classic

Celebrating 50 years of running in Bidwell Park in Chico CA, this race has become a Chico tradition for so many! With 3 distances offered, we are pleased to host the Bidwell Classic again in 2026!

We are excited to offer a cash purse again for the top male and female in each event!

🎓Benefits Student Athletes

• Support: A substantial portion of the race entry fees go to the local high school cross country running programs.
• Community: When you participate in the Bidwell Classic, you are supporting local student athletes.
• Donation: If you would like to make an additional donation to the schools, please do so on the donation portion of the registration.
• Thank You: Thank you so much for supporting this race and our local youth runners!

🕒Important Registration Information

• Online Registration: Closes at 8:00am on Friday March 6th, 2026.
• In-Person Registration: Available during packet pickup.
• No Registration: No in-person registration will be available on race day.
• Packet Pickup: Available on Friday March 6th from 10:00am-4:00pm and Saturday March 7th from 6:45am-7:45am.

📅Start Date & Times

• Date: Saturday March 7th, 2026.
• Location: Lower Bidwell Park/ Sycamore Field.
• 5K Start: 8:00am.
• 10K & Half Marathon Start: 8:10am.

👕Race Shirts

• Shirt Guarantee: Every registered runner will receive a 2026 race shirt if registered before February 6th.
• Availability: All registrations after February 6th will be subject to availability and size at packet pickup.
• Pickup: If you do not pick up your packet before the race, your shirt will NOT be saved for you.

🗺️Course Certification and Maps

The 5K and 10K are flat, paved, and free of traffic. The half marathon has a 1/4 mile on each of the loops that are a single-track trail. All events start and finish at One Mile Recreation Area in Lower Bidwell Park.

The maps to all the race courses can be found by clicking the link below:

Race Maps - Fleet Feet Chico

🏃‍♀️Shake Out Run Event

Join us on March 6th at 6:00pm at Fleet Feet Chico for an easy evening shakeout run. We will go for a short run/walk and enjoy a cold beverage and some delicious carbs before the race. More information to come as we get closer to the event!

• Location: Fleet Feet Chico, 241 Main St., Chico CA.
• Time: Show up between 5:30-6:00pm. Groups will start running at 6:15pm.

📦Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will be offered at Fleet Feet Chico (241 Main St in downtown Chico). We will also have a small window on race day to pick up your packet.

• Friday March 6th: 10:00am - 4:00pm at Fleet Feet Chico.
• Race Day Pickup: 6:45am-7:45am ONLY at the Fleet Feet Tent.

🅿️Directions and Parking

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 32 offramp and turn left at the second intersection. From here, take 8th St just under a half-mile, then turn right on Sycamore St.

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.

⏱️Timing

Timing will be done by Bizz Johnson Racing. All races will be a gun start and a chip finish. If you are racing for an overall placement, you must toe the line!

• 5K Start: 8:00am.
• 10K & Half Marathon Start: 8:10am.

💧Aid Stations and Restrooms

There will be 6 aid stations for the half, 3 for the 10K, and 2 for the 5K.

• Cedar Grove Bathrooms: Loop 1 Water / Loop 2 Water, nutrition gels, and electrolytes.
• Peterson Drive Gate: Loop 1 Water / Loop 2 Water, nutrition gels, and electrolytes.
• One Mile Parking Lot: Water and electrolytes.

⚠️Rules

• No Dogs: Please no dogs on the course during the race.
• Courtesy: Be courteous when overtaking slower runners or walkers.
• Visibility: Wear your Race number so it is visible on the participant's front.
• Timing Mat: You must cross the timing mat for your chip to be read.

🏆Awards for Top Finishers

We will be offering a CASH PRIZE for the top male and female for each race! (5K, 10K, and Half). We will have an award ceremony at:

• 8:45am: for the 5K.
• 9:15am: for the 10K.
• 10:00am: for the Half Marathon races.

All unclaimed prizes will be available for pick up at Fleet Feet Chico on Sunday March 8th during regular business hours (11:00am-4:00pm).

Finisher Medals will be provided to all Half Marathon runners who finish the race.

🌐More Information

Please visit www.fleetfeetchico.com for more information or email shawna@fleetfeetchico.com.