Bakersfield Marathon Volunteers Prepare for Annual Running Event

Hundreds of volunteers work year-round to make the 9th annual Bakersfield Marathon a success.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:48am

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The 9th annual Bakersfield Marathon is set to take place soon, and hundreds of volunteers have been working hard to prepare for the event. The marathon is a labor of love, with the volunteer board spending countless hours planning and organizing the race to showcase the city of Bakersfield.

Why it matters

The Bakersfield Marathon is an important community event that brings people together and highlights the city in a positive light. Volunteers work tirelessly to make the marathon a success, showcasing the community spirit and dedication of Bakersfield residents.

The details

Volunteers have been working on various tasks to get ready for the marathon, including putting up signs, organizing t-shirts and water for runners, setting up booths for the expo, and even making goody bags to show appreciation for the participants. The volunteer board, which is entirely unpaid, spends evenings and weekends planning the event throughout the year.

  • The 9th annual Bakersfield Marathon is set to take place soon.
  • On Friday, volunteers were working hard to prepare for the event.

The players

Katie McDaris

A Bakersfield Marathon board member.

Lillian Morales

A Bakersfield Marathon volunteer.

Jonnny Perez

A Bakersfield Marathon volunteer board member who has been with the marathon since it started.

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What they’re saying

“It's a lot of work that people don't get to see. I also don't know if people actually understand that we're a full volunteer board. So we don't have anyone that is paid to do this race.”

— Katie McDaris, Bakersfield Marathon board member

“We are all volunteers. (We) spend our time, our nights, our weekends — our evenings to plan this race for the community.”

— Katie McDaris, Bakersfield Marathon board member

“Honestly, it's a lot of fun. It might not look like it right now, but believe me, it's a lot of fun. You get to know and meet a lot of new people, and at the end of the day, you're giving back to your community. So what's better than that?”

— Jonnny Perez, Bakersfield Marathon volunteer board member

What’s next

The 9th annual Bakersfield Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, March 23, 2026.

The takeaway

The Bakersfield Marathon is a true labor of love, with hundreds of dedicated volunteers working tirelessly throughout the year to make the event a success. Their efforts showcase the community spirit and pride of Bakersfield residents, and inspire others to get involved and be a part of this annual running celebration.