From the Organizer
Gather your friends, family and coworkers and join us for the 2026 Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival at - Riverwalk Park in Bakersfield!
This exciting challenge allows you to raise funds and awareness for those battling cancer all while having fun!
100% of the funds will benefit the Kern County Cancer Foundation to assist local patients with medical bills related to cancer treatment as well as assist children with cancer who must travel for treatment. For more information on our programs and services visit us at www.kerncountycancerfoundation.org
This is our 13th Annual KERN CANCER RUN/WALK and FESTIVAL EVENT and we couldn't do it without you!
This race will be timed for all registered runners and awards will be given. Top fundraising teams and individual will also receive awards.
We are trying to raise as much funds as possible for Kern County cancer patients who need financial assistance and transportation during treatment.
Some T-shirts will be available for sale at the event. Donations are always welcome.
*PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THOSE AROUND YOU, ESPECIALLY THE DELICATE IMMUNE SYSTEMS OF THE CANCER SURVIVORS ATTENDING THE EVENT. **
If you are experiencing symptoms of an illness or have been around someone who has been recently diagnosed please stay home...we can wait to see you next year. We follow CDC Guidelines which can be found when you click the link below.
Link to Isolation and Precautions for People with virus | CDC www.cdc.gov
Thank you! - Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival Committee
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2026 Run/Walk Schedule - tentative
7:30AM Participant Arrival & Registration
8:00AM Music with DJ Richie Rich
8:00AM Vendor Fair Starts & Survivor Social
8:30AM Live Band Performance
8:40AM Welcome - James Galindo, Kern Cancer Run/Walk Chair & Dr. Shawn Shambaugh, KCCF Board Chairman
8:45AM National Anthem - Keely Mackey
8:50AM Speaker & Invocation - Cancer Survivor
9:00AM Stretch with Condy
9:10AM Jog-A-Thon Child Participant Check-in
9:15AM Mascot Run Begins
9:30AM Children’s Jog-a-Thon Begins- 1st ages 3-5, 2nd 6-8, 3rd 9-11
10:00AM Race Rules
10:05AM General Participants Line-Up — Survivors, Runners, then Walkers
10:15AM Survivor Walk Starts
10:20AM General Participants Start—Runners
10:25AM General Participants Start— Walkers
10:30AM On Stage: Announcements, More Live Music, & Festival Vendors Fair continues
12:00PM Winners Announced: 5k Category, Jog-A-Thon, Top Fundraisers, Vendor Passport, & Raffle
12:00PM-1:00Pm Enjoy the rest of the Festival & Vendors
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
92°
Typical Low
65°
Chance of Rain
1%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Bakersfield 5 Nw, 7 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
408,366
as of 2023
Elevation
379 ft
Nearest Airport
BFL
Meadows Field · 8 mi
Major Hub
BUR
Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport · 86 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
96
Days to train
Coming Up
Summer Grand Prix
Less than a mile away
Bakersfield Father's Day Run
Less than a mile away
TACOS & MICHE 5K RUN (BAKERSFIELD)
Less than a mile away
TACO FUN RUN- BAKERSFIELD
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026
Sep 12, 2026