Judgment Day Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Run/Walk

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 PANAROMA 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!!

HALF MARATHON & 10K START TIME: 7:30AM
5K START TIME: 7:40AM

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, and 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

1st Race: Visalia Half Marathon, April 12th

2nd Race: Hell of a Half Marathon, August 8th

3rd Race: Judgment Day Half Marathon, October 4th

Male & Female Runner Of The Year: You Must run in all 3 live races, and your results will be added together, to create our overall Fastest Series Runner - Earning the honor as The Run The Valley Half Marathon Series Runner of the Year! As the RTV Runner of the Year, you will receive FREE RACE ENTRIES for the 2027 RTV SERIES, and get fitted for your RTV - Runner Of The Year Running Swag. You Do Not need to be on, or affiliated with a team to qualify, but we bet any team would love to have you join them if you are not on one.

Largest Participating Team Award: Bring Your Team, Get Free Entries for our 2027 Races!! We are counting how many members are attached to your team. We will add them up, and then name our Largest Participating Team Award. The Winning Team will receive a total of 6 Free Race Entries for our 2027 Series (2 at each race).  

Put your brand in front of hundreds of people participating, watching, enjoying the Bakersfield Judgment Day Marathon & 5K, and utilizing our website, social media and event marketing. Proceeds benefit local charities that volunteer at this event. For more information about how to become a Sponsor, please make contact through this page or email.

Sunday - October 5th:

6:30 am    Race Day Packet Pick-up Opens (Sam Lynn BallPark)

7:15 am    Race Day Packet Pick-up Closes

7:30 am     Half Marathon Race Starts 

7:50 am     5K Run/Walk Starts

11:00 am  Course Closes

Will there be race day registration?

We highly anticipate that this event will sell out. Race day will only be available if there are any remaining spots.

Where is the start line located?

The race starts inside the Sam Lynn BallPark (4009 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301) 

Where is the finish line located?

The finish is located at Sam Lynn BallPark 

Are there any refunds?

There are no registration refunds. We do however, offer Bib Transfer service at the cost of $20. This service is provided to help ensure that race results are accurate with the correct runner's information. The payment for the registration is handled between participants and the new runner pays the transfer fee. The new participant must have the registration confirmation number from the original registration to complete the transfer. Upon processing, the new runner will be provided a bib and packet. Any race extras from early sign up will be provided to the new participant. The original registrant needs to login to the registration page and can complete this transfer. 

Where can I view maps of the course?

See The "Course Map" page for details.

Where do I park at the start?

There is plenty of Free Parking at Sam Lynn BallPark

Can someone else pick up my packet?

Yes, you may authorize a friend, teammate or family member to pick up your race packet for you. They should bring a copy of your photo ID to packet pickup.

When can I pick up my packet?

Sole 2 Soul Sports-Visalia (Packwood Creek)
Date: Friday, October 3rd
Time: 3:30pm to 6:30pm

Sam Lynn BallPark (4009 Chester Ave., Bakersfield)
Date: Saturday, October 4th
Time: 12:00pm to 3:00pm

See Helpful Info for more information.

When will the results be posted?

Typically, all race results are posted after the race on the race website immediately following the event.

What happens if I cannot finish the race or keep the minimum required pace?

Transportation to the finish area for stranded or slow walkers without medical problems is provided via the SAG vehicle. In the event you cannot finish the race, please make your way to the nearest aid station and ask for SAG assistance. The SAG vehicle will be following the final runner/walker and will pick up as they pass aid stations.

Start & Finish Line

Sam Lynn (Historic) BallPark, located at 4009 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA. 93301.  There is plenty of free parking available!

Sam Lynn BallPark: Race-Day Packet Pick-Up, Porta Potties & Facility Restrooms, Wash Stations, and Sanitizer Stations will be there.

Aid Stations
There will be aid stations with fully stocked tables of water, and Gatorade.

Aid Station supplies will be at miles 1.3, 3.6, 7.1, 7.7, 10, and 11.7.

Porta Potties will be available along the course at miles 3.6, 5, 7.1, and 10.

5K Route: Start & Finish from the infield of Sam Lynn BallPark. It's a Fast and Flat Out And Back (OAB) running on the Kern River (paved) Trail.

Time Limit
To enter this half marathon you must be able to complete it in 3 1/2 hours and keep a 16:00 min./mile pace or better. Casual walkers are not permitted in the race due to this time limit. If you cannot keep the required pace you will not be guaranteed course supervision. 

In the event you cannot finish the race, or fall behind the 16 min/mile pace, please make your way to the nearest aid station and ask for assistance. We will also have a vehicle following the final runner/walker and pick up at each aid station. 

Packet Pick-Up
We recommend that you pick up your race packet during Packet Pick-Up and avoid any potential race day lines.
You will receive your race bib, timing chip, event shirt, and other race information. 

VISALIA: Sole 2 Soul Sports-Visalia (Packwood Creek)
Date: Friday, October 2nd
Time: 3:30pm to 6:00pm

BAKERSFIELD: Sam Lynn BallPark (4009 Chester Avenue)
Date: Saturday, October 3rd
Time: 12:00pm to 3:30pm

Race Day Packet Pick Up

Sam Lynn BallPark, Starting at 6:30 am. 

Virtual Race - If you live locally, you are encouraged to come to packet pickup.  Otherwise, race swag will be mailed after the race.

 We do not store any unclaimed race packets after the race. If you do not pick up your packet prior to the race, then it considered forfeited. Normally, leftover supplies are donated to the volunteers and local charities.