Thu, Nov 26, 2026

Bakersfield Turkey Day Run

Bakersfield, CA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2017

5K1 Mile

Entry is $45 now and rises to $47.50 after Nov 10, 2026, so registering before then saves $2.50.

About the Bakersfield Turkey Day Run

The race is held at The Park at River Walk in Bakersfield on Thanksgiving morning. Waves start early, so the course clears out before most people have put the turkey in the oven. Awards go deep into the age groups, with chip timing used for age group placings and gun time deciding the overall winners. Costumes are welcome, and there is a contest for them before the start.

Packet pickup runs the afternoon before the race at a fitness studio on Ming Avenue. If that does not work, pickup is available race morning before the waves go off. The venue has free parking on site.

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Bakersfield Turkey Day Run 2025 Results

Going by the 2025 results, this is a big field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

5K Results · 2025

1,571finishers

15:23winner

36:58median

1:22:58cutoff

Top 3: Jacob Yagers (15:23) · Jacob Perez (15:40) · Curtis Threlkeld (16:04)

The Bakersfield Turkey Day Run has been held every year since at least 2017. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 25, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles11/26/2026 08:00$45

1 Mile11/26/2026 08:00$45

3.1 Miles11/26/2026 08:00$50

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

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Common Questions About the Bakersfield Turkey Day Run

Will I finish last at the Bakersfield Turkey Day Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 36:58, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:22:58, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Bakersfield Turkey Day Run a good first 3.1 Miles?

With 1,571 finishers there are runners at every pace, so you are never out on your own. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Bakersfield Turkey Day Run?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 15:23 while the median finisher took 36:58. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.