Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash banner
Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash logo
5KKids

Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash 2026

Date
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Start time
9:00 AM start (Los Angeles)
Entry fee
From $25 · goes up to $50 on Oct 13, 2026
Included with entry
Includes a shirt
Fundraising
Takes optional donations when you register
Register on RunSignup

Registration is open.

We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details

Add to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google

Events and entry fees

EventDistanceWhenEntry feeCap
5k Run/Walk5KOct 25, 20269:00 AM$45$50 after Oct 13, 2026–
Kids Run(NOT TIMED)KidsOct 25, 20269:00 AM$25–
Virtual RunVirtual–Oct 25, 20269:00 AM$45–

Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.

Register on RunSignup

The 5K fee goes up to $50 on Oct 13, 2026.

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

  • 5k Run/Walk: $45 until Oct 13, then $50 until Oct 26.
  • Kids Run(NOT TIMED): $25 until Oct 26.

Online registration closes Oct 26, 2026, unless the race fills first.

How the price compares

At $45, entry is about 22 percent above a typical 5K in California, which costs $37 right now.

What a typical finish looks like

A typical finisher at a 5K in Bakersfield runs 38:06, about 12:16 a mile, based on 24 races with published results. Women typically finish in 40:10 and men in 33:26.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:10 AM, and the 5k Run/Walk starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 290 feet above sea level.

Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.

Start location and course

The Park at River Walk, Bakersfield, CA 93311

The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.

526
finishers
39:12
median (12:39 /mi)
18:15
winning time
67% / 33%
women / men
median 39:1222:031:04:51
Finish times, fastest to slowest. Each bar is a slice of the field; the dashed line is the median.

Aggregated from official results (California Timing) for Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash. Individual finisher names are not stored here.

How fast do you need to be at Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash?

In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 26:49 or better, the top quarter in 31:38, and half the field in 39:12; the last tenth came in after 57:33.

Third place by age group, 2025 5k Run/Walk
AgeWomenMen
Under 2024:2922:05
20-2926:1124:50
30-3926:5422:13
40-4927:2127:47
50-5925:3324:48
60-6931:2625:04

Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.

What would my time get me?

Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.

Finishers by year

Up 168 percent since 2021.

All events combined, from official results.

Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash 5K year by year

From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 196 to 526 finishers, and the median time dropped from 43:46 to 39:12.

YearFinishersMedianFastest tenthWinner
2025526 (+4%)39:12under 26:4918:15
2024507 (+17%)39:44under 26:3517:37
2023433 (+67%)39:44under 25:5017:23
2022259 (+32%)41:11under 26:5417:07
202119643:46under 26:2817:32

From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.

How fast is it?

Slower than most California 5Ks

The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 31:38, against 30:43 in a typical California 5K, so times here run 3 percent slower.

Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.

Typical race-day weather

Around October 25 the day usually runs from 52°F at dawn to 78°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 1% of days. Cold snaps dip to 46°F and hot years reach 87°F.

Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.

From the race's page

What the organizers of Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash cover on their registration page, in brief.

Schedule and packet pickup

Packet Pickup

Packet Pickup | Saturday, Oct 24th. F45 Training Seven Oaks: 9000 Ming Ave K10, Bakersfield, CA 93311. 3:00pm to 5:00pm. You may also pick up on event morning. Event Day Schedule | Sunday, Oct 25th. 8:00am Late Packet Pickup. 8:45am…

Shirt and medal

Great Amenities

Each participant will receive: ~HUGE custom GLOW in the DARK finisher's medallion! ~All Children will receive a custom Trick-or-Treat bag! ~ GLOW in the DARK Event shirt! ~Treats for kids and adults! ~Decorated Course. ~Halloween Music…

Great Amenities, from the Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash page

Shirt and medal

MMD Finisher Medal

MMD Finisher Medal, from the Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash page

Awards

Awards

Age Group awards for 5k ONLY! No timing or awards for the kid's event, although they receive a glow in the dark finisher medal and event shirt. Age group awards for our timed 5k: 10 and Under, 11 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59…

Rules and FAQ

FAQ's

What are the award categories and when will they be handed out? Awards will be presented in an on-site awards ceremony. Age Groups(3 Deep): 0-10, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Overall Winners(Male and Female) will be…

Full details on the race's RunSignup page

Race details

Where
The Park at River Walk, Bakersfield, CA 93311Map
Course
Road
Start elevation
About 290 feet
Included with entry
T-Shirt
Donations
Accepted when you register
Distances
5K, Kids
Editions
2026 (Oct 25, 2026), 2025 (Oct 26, 2025), 2024 (Oct 27, 2024), 2023 (Oct 29, 2023), 2022 (Oct 30, 2022), 2021 (Oct 31, 2021)

Organize this race? Add details or a correction

Plan your race

Quick answers

When is Bakersfield Monster Mash Dash?
Sunday, October 25, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
How much does it cost?
Entry starts at $25 before processing fees, and rises to $50 on Oct 13, 2026.
When does registration close?
Online registration closes Oct 26, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Is the entry fee high for California?
At $45, entry is about 22 percent above a typical 5K in California, which costs $37 right now.
Do runners get a shirt or medal?
Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
Can I donate to a cause when I register?
Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
What distances can I run?
5K, Kids.
How big is it, and how fast?
In 2025, 526 runners finished the 5k Run/Walk; the median finish was 39:12 and the winner ran 18:15.
Is it a fast course?
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 31:38, against 30:43 in a typical California 5K, so times here run 3 percent slower.
Where does it start?
The Park at River Walk, Bakersfield, CA 93311.

From the organizers

Welcome to Bakersfield’s Halloween Run, our Monster Mash Dash 5K Run/Walk and Little Monster Dash! This Halloween-themed annual race is an event that you won't want to miss and we guarantee you will experience a spooktacular fun time! Wear a Costume and be in our Costume Contest! Largest Group Award!

Our Charity Partner for the Monster Mash Dash is Kern County Youth and Family Resource Centers.