Running

Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026

Date
September 12, 2026
Distance
5k Walk - not timed · 5k Run - timed · Survivor Registration - FREE (WALK - NOT TIMED) & more
Register →

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!

  • It will be held Saturday, September 12th from 8am - 1pm at Riverwalk Park in Bakersfield, CA. 
  • Early registration is $10, then the cost goes up to $20 after March 31, 2026.
  • Children registration is $10 ages 3-11.
  • Kern County Cancer Run/Walk T-Shirts can be purchased for $20 with a deadline of 8/30/2026.
  • Survivors are FREE and there will be a special designated area for them. (Even if you're on treatment, you're a SURVIVOR)

 

 

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

5k Walk - not timed8 AMRegister →
5k Run - timed8 AMRegister →
Survivor Registration - FREE (WALK - NOT TIMED)8 AMRegister →
Survivor Registration - FREE (RUN - TIMED)8 AMRegister →
Children's Jog-a-thon8 AMRegister →

Weather

Typical Conditions

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.

Sunrise 6:37 AMSunset 7:09 PMDaylight 12h 32m

Host City

About Bakersfield, CA

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

What Are You
Waiting For?

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

Race
Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026
Date
September 12, 2026

From Endurance Grid

About This Sport

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.

Read the Guide

Running

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)

What is the Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026?
Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026 is a running race held in Bakersfield, California on September 12, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026?
Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Bakersfield, California at 11298 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

Kern Cancer Run/Walk and Festival 2026

Sep 12, 2026

Register →