9 running events in Kern County, California

🏃‍♂️ Keyesville Classic 5K — 1st Annual Trail Run

The 1st Annual Keyesville Classic 5K brings runners of all ages and abilities to the rugged hills of the Southern Sierra Nevada for a true California trail-running experience. Set just outside Lake Isabella, CA, this event blends natural beauty, rolling terrain, and community energy into one unforgettable race day.

This is not a road race. Expect dirt trails, elevation changes, wide-open views, and a course that rewards grit and steady pacing. Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner, a first-time 5K participant, or a family looking to experience an outdoor challenge together, the Keyesville Classic 5K delivers a course that is approachable—but never boring.

The 5K is part of the broader Keyesville Classic weekend, a long-running celebration of endurance sports, outdoor lifestyle, and community connection. Runners will be welcomed into the same atmosphere that has made the Keyesville Classic a staple event in Kern County for decades.

Who It’s For

Trail runners & road runners looking for something different

Beginners tackling their first 5K

Competitive runners chasing podium spots

Families, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts

Come run where mountains meet history—and help launch the first year of what’s set to become a new annual tradition.

Run wild. Run local. Run the Keyesville Classic.

Join us for this unique and exciting trail run through the Preserve.

Register by midnight on Feb. 15 to guarantee a shirt and in your preferred size.

WHY RUN THE FIELD N DALE:

• Chip Timed Race

• 6K course is FLAT & FAST! Mainly compacted dirt & some asphalt, running along both sides of the mighty Kern River.

• 12K course is a Challenging Trail Run, which climbs the bluffs and a portion follows single track trails.

• Unique & Hand-Made Top 3 Age Group Awards, that you ONLY can get from the Preserve.

• Custom event t-shirt

• FREE Post Race Pancakes Breakfast (sponsored by The Boy Scouts of America)

• Post Race Raffles

• Awesome Finisher's Medal

ABOUT THE PANORAMA VISTA PRESERVE:

The Panorama Vista Preserve is located on both sides of the Kern River. Through its re-vegetation projects, it is increasingly an oasis where people come to enjoy a bit of tranquility. Here, they escape urban hub-bub and enjoy sounds and sights of nature. Oildale is to the west and Gordon's Ferry to the east, the Beardsley Canal and oil fields to the north, and the historic Panorama Bluffs to the south. The Preserve is private land held in trust for the public; it's owner is the Kern River Corridor Endowment and Holding Co. (KRCE), a non-profit 501(3)(c) entity; its Board of Directors are unpaid volunteers.

It is open to the public for gentle use and is in this way a gift to the community.

Register by March 13th - To guarantee your preferred shirt size we recommend you register early by 2/28!

Kernville Elementary PTC presents our annual St. Patrick's Day Fun Run/5k. A FUN and challenging run in the southern Sierra Nevada town of Kernville, CA. The annual out and back 5K through the town of Kernville will take place on Saturday March 14th, 2026 at 8:30am. Our staging area, pack pick-up and race start will be at Kernville Elementary School. This is intended to be a FUN RUN, all ages and levels welcome. Walkers are welcome too!

Our kids 1K Walk/Run (ages 8 and younger) takes place in the school's backyard and starts promptly at 8:30am. Kids will collect gold coins along their route and trade them in for a treat! A full weekend can be made of your time in Kernville. Come and enjoy the beauty of the Kern River and surrounding mountains.

Packet pick-up will begin at 7:30am. 1K Fun Run/Walk will begin promptly at 8:30 and 5K Run at 9am

FREE Childcare provided on site from 8:30-10:30am to registered 5K runners

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided at the finish line. Medals and prizes will be given to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place for each age category.

Come out and Run for Wellness on a beautiful Saturday at Hart Park. Run, walk, or crawl, everyone is welcome. Choose between 5k or the 1 mile. This event is open to the public but has special pricing for Kern High School District Staff and immediate family. (Please sign up by 4/6 to be guaranteed a t-shirt!) Medals will be awarded to the top 3 in each age group per gender for the 5k. We look forward to seeing you and your family for this fun event! Enjoy music and vendors, as well as post-race drinks and snacks. Packet pick-up will not be available prior to the event. Please plan to pick up your packet on race day from 7:00am - 8:15am in Section 2 of Hart Park, near the east entrance. We look forward to seeing you!

Kern River Conservancy's Charity 6K/11K Run at historic Kernville and Whiskey Flat trail is a community-driven event dedicated to raising funds to support the Kern River Conservancy's mission of keeping the Kern River clean and protected. Runners and outdoor enthusiasts of all levels come together to enjoy a scenic course through the historic Keysville area while contributing to conservation efforts. Proceeds from the race go directly toward trash cleanups, habitat restoration, and public education programs that promote responsible recreation along the Kern River. This event not only raises awareness about environmental stewardship on the Kern River, but also fosters a strong sense of community involvement in preserving one of California’s most cherished natural resources.

Registration and bib pick up will be 9:00am - 9:45am

PÁLI Event Itinerary

(21K • 10K • 5K)

6:00 AM – Event Set Up

6:15 AM – Check-In & Packet Pickup Opens

6:30 AM – Photos / Media / Sponsor Content

6:45 AM – Welcome, Course Overview & Announcements

🏁 Race Starts

7:00 AM – 21K (Half Marathon) Start

7:20 AM – 10K Start

7:40 AM – 5K Start

🥇 Mid-Morning Flow

8:15–8:45 AM – Expected 5K Top Finishers

8:45–9:30 AM – Expected 10K Top Finishers

9:30–11:00 AM – Majority of 21K Finishers

9:15 AM – 5K Awards (or 20 minutes after top 3 finish)

9:45 AM – 10K Awards

10:30 AM – 21K Awards

11:45 AM – Closing Announcements

The Summer Grand Prix is a thrilling four-race competition for runners of all levels. Held at the scenic Panorama Vista Preserve in Bakersfield, this series offers a challenging yet rewarding summer of racing.

NEW FOR 2026

1. We are adding divisions! (Youth, High School and Adult)

2. Only two waves.

3. Prizes for top three in each division. (M/F)

4. Scoring only the best of three races.

We believe these changes will give more opportunity for runners to compete and win, allows participants to miss a race and improves the overall experience of the series.

Four Open 5k Races

Participate in four exciting 5k races throughout the summer, each held at the picturesque Panorama Vista Preserve.

Walkers are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Points System

Top three finishers (M/F) in each division (not wave) will earn points.

1st place • 9pts

2nd place • 8pts

3rd place • 7pts

4th place • 6pts

5th place • 5pts

6th place • 4pts

7th place • 3pts

8th place • 2pts

9th place • 1pts

Race Waves

Select from one of the three waves you want to race

Wave 1 • 6:15am

Wave 2 • 7:00am

**time will expire after 45 minutes of each race

Grand Prix Champions

The runners with the most points in each division accumulated across the series will be crowned the overall champion of the Summer Grand Prix.

Top Finisher Winners

This year we are breaking up our winners into three divisions Youth, High School and Adult each with top three winners per division both female and male athletes.

Donations

Part of the proceeds and donations will go to the Panorama Vista Preserve to help them continue to maintain and improve the scenic venue for all to share and enjoy.

Parking

Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged. Overflow parking along the street.