Name: HART PARK AFTER HOURS SERIES
Start: 2026-09-03
End: 2026-09-24
Location: Bakersfield

About the Event

The Hart Park After Hours Series returns to Bakersfield, California from September 3rd through October 8th in the heart of a bustling city neighborhood where community spirit meets competitive energy. This unique series offers runners and mountain bikers alike an opportunity to engage with their local scene on Thursday evenings as they transition seamlessly between workaday routines and athletic pursuits.

5K Run
5K • Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE
Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

5K RUN
Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE
Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

5K RUN
Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE
Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

5K RUN
5K • Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE
Start: 18:00:00 • Fee: $25.00

Hart Memorial Park becomes the focal point for these weekly gatherings, its grounds abuzz with activity starting at 6:15 PM in September and moving slightly earlier by October’s cooler climes. The park's well-manicured trails and paved paths blend perfectly to accommodate both cycling enthusiasts and runners looking for a fast-paced environment. As twilight descends on Bakersfield during the summer-to-fall transition, Hart Park After Hours Series offers an intimate setting where participants can enjoy music and camaraderie as much as they do competition.
This series has been running since its inception in 2019, drawing between two hundred to three hundred athletes each week. Each event awards points towards individual standings or overall championship titles at the final race on October 8th. The series is a beloved fixture for both locals and newcomers who appreciate the laid-back yet spirited atmosphere that Hart Park After Hours Series cultivates.
The cycling segment features short track courses ranging from one to two miles, with riders beginning their timed efforts followed by an additional lap based on performance metrics. For runners, each 5K race unfolds along a challenging but invigorating route designed for all levels of fitness and experience. The course weaves through Hart Memorial Park’s scenic trails, providing participants with glimpses of Bakersfield's diverse urban landscape.
Participants can expect the weather to be temperate in September, typically hovering around an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius with occasional dips into cooler evening hours as daylight fades earlier by October. Cyclists should come prepared for limited natural light and consider bringing lights or reflective gear during later-week events. Trail conditions remain firm and dry throughout the series, offering runners a stable footing underfoot.
Registration is now open at [https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Bakersfield/HARTPARKAFTERHOURSSERIES](https://runsighp.com/race/ca/bakersfield/hartparkafterhoursseries) for both 5K runs and MTB races, each carrying a $25 fee. Bib pickup will take place at Hart Memorial Park on the day of your event from 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM; be sure to bring photo ID or confirmation email if you registered online. For those attending their first race, note that age requirements are flexible but must adhere to Bakersfield's local guidelines for public events.
The Hart Park After Hours Series in Bakersfield, California on September 3rd through October 8th promises an engaging blend of athleticism and community spirit perfect for after-work enjoyment.

Races Offered

5K Run

Sep 03, 2026

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Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

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18:00

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$25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE

Sep 03, 2026

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Distance — MTB/GRAVEL RACE

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:00

sell

$25.00

5K RUN

Sep 10, 2026

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Distance — 5K RUN

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:00

sell

$25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE

Sep 10, 2026

straighten

Distance — MTB/GRAVEL RACE

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:00

sell

$25.00

5K RUN

Sep 17, 2026

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Distance — 5K RUN

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:00

sell

$25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE

Sep 17, 2026

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Distance — MTB/GRAVEL RACE

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:00

sell

$25.00

5K RUN

Sep 24, 2026

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Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:00

sell

$25.00

MTB/GRAVEL RACE

Sep 24, 2026

straighten

Distance — MTB/GRAVEL RACE

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:00

sell

$25.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Bakersfield.

thermostat Temperature

20.2° / 34.3°

wb_sunny Feels like

19.3° / 32.5°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

11h 37m

water_drop Avg rainfall

0.4 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

6.7 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Moderate

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (5.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

37.2%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:39

nightlight Sunset

19:01

About Bakersfield

Learn more about the host city, Bakersfield.

Bakersfield is a city in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Bakersfield is famous for being the home of country music singers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and has the nickname "the country music capital of the West Coast."