The Judgment Day Half Marathon features a very scenic course, starting and finishing at the historic Sam Lynn Ballpark. You will run out the back gate to the paved Kern River Trail (east) into the Panorama Vista Preserve (dirt trails) for a 3.5 mile loop, and then back onto the …
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The Judgment Day Half Marathon features a very scenic course, starting and finishing at the historic Sam Lynn Ballpark. You will run out the back gate to the paved Kern River Trail (east) into the Panorama Vista Preserve (dirt trails) for a 3.5 mile loop, and then back onto the Kern River Trail to China Grade Road. Runners will turn right onto the Alfred Harrell Hwy/Chine Grade Loop (closed road). Yes, that’s a challenging 1 miler 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’ll continue through Panorama Park along the bluffs with awesome vista views, before sweeping back down to the paved running trail along the Kern River, and finishing back inside the Ballpark.
This course has everything – start/finish on grass, paved trails, dirt trails, paved (closed) roads, an uphill, a downhill, and lots of fun!
The Judgment Day Half Marathon is the final race in the Run the Valley Half Marathon Series.
WHAT MAKES THIS RACE STAND OUT BESIDES IT’S SCENIC ROUTE?
– Plenty of Aid Stations, and they are FUN and go ALL OUT!!
– FREE Hot Breakfast, Made Fresh
– FREE la Rosa’s Famous Fruit Bars
– FREE Race Photos
– FREE Race Joy App
– Water, Gatorade and GU, on the Course
– Top Age Group Awards
– Overall Male & Female Awards
– Race Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt
– Race Swag pending
– Awesome Finisher’s Medals
– Run The Valley – Male & Female Runner of the Year
– Run The Valley – Mixed (Fastest) Team Champion
– Run The Valley – Largest Participating Team Champion
LESS
New Course, same tough hill
Early packet pickup available in different valley cities the week before the race, as well as easy race day packet pickup. Course is mostly on trails & paved paths, so … MORE
Early packet pickup available in different valley cities the week before the race, as well as easy race day packet pickup.
Course is mostly on trails & paved paths, so no traffic to deal with.
New section of packed dirt, loose dirt, and broken asphalt added before the hill to wear those legs out before the climb. Not a big fan of the change, but it’s not really that tough.
Good course support with well stocked aid stations.
Post race meal including breakfast burritos, fruit ice bars, and hard seltzer.
Free results sticker for the back of your medal.
Smaller event, but still a good size crowd. 900+ runners this year (2021).
Part of a 3 race ‘run the valley’ series.
See you next year!
Pandemic Race Year - Good Race
Judgment Day was the first in-person race in Kern County since the pandemic hit. Only 325 in person participants (plus virtual runners) participated in this event, with a modified course … MORE
Judgment Day was the first in-person race in Kern County since the pandemic hit. Only 325 in person participants (plus virtual runners) participated in this event, with a modified course for this year. The course was great with a lot of flat trails along the Kern river, and a large hill in the middle. I really enjoyed the course, and look forward to returning when normalcy is restored.
Good job with safety measures in this weird year. Masks required before and after the race (with disposable masks available), temperatures were checked before entry into the start/finish area was allowed. Rolling starts allowed minor separation of participants at the start, and plenty of space on the course.
Great small, locally organized race!
This race is put on by Sole2Soul, a wonderful store with 3 locations in California’s Central Valley. This is the third and final race in the Soul Series (all half … MORE
This race is put on by Sole2Soul, a wonderful store with 3 locations in California’s Central Valley. This is the third and final race in the Soul Series (all half marathons), and my overall favorite. It runs through some beautiful areas of Bakersfield, which aren’t as pretty as the beach, or as the mountains, but for the central valley, they are pretty decent. The course support is plentiful and the aid stations are managed by fantastic people. This is a small race, with under 1000 runners. I do love a huge race with thousands of people around me, but sometimes it is really nice to be able to hear the birds and feel the wind in your hair, and just be out there with a group of people who love what they’re doing. The race swag is pretty decent, too. Tech shirt, head buff, carry bag, and a hoodie at the finish. If you run the series, you get a special medal at the end, and a backpack. Full breakfast at the finish – eggs, bacon, fruit, pancakes, and chocolate milk. If you ever think you might find yourself in the California Central Valley in October, I would highly recommend this race! Just be prepared for a couple of large hills in the middle! (But the local high school drum line is on scene to help you make it to the top!)