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Join us for the Bidwell Classic 5K, 10k and Half MarathonCelebrating 50 years of running in Bidwell Park in Chico CA this race has become a chico tradition for so many!
We with 3 distances offered we are pleased to host the Bidwell Classic again in 2026!
We are excited to offer a cash purse again for the top male and female in each event!
BENEFITS STUDENT ATHLETES
A substantial portion of the race entry fees go to the local high school cross country running programs. When you participate in the Bidwell Classic, you are supporting local student athletes. If you would like to make an additional donation to the schools, please do so on the donation portion of the registration. Thank you so much for supporting this race and our local youth runners!
Online registration closes at 8:00am on Friday March 6th, 2026.
In person registration will be available during packet pickup.
No in person registration will be available on race day.
Packet pickup will be available Friday March 6th 10:00am-4:00pm
Race day packet pick up will be available Saturday March 7th from 6:45am - 7:45am
Any questions about registration or packet pick up please email [email protected]
START DATE & TIMES
When: Saturday March 7th, 2026
Where: Lower Bidwell Park/ Sycamore Field
5K, 10k and Half Marathon run and fun walk: Starting time is 8:00am for the 5k and 8:10 for the 10k and Half Marathon.
Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
For special school group rates contact [email protected]
Every registered runner will receive a 2026 race shirt if registered before February 6th. To guarantee your shirt size please register on or before February 6th. All registrations after February 6th will be subject to availability and size at packet pickup. Any leftover shirts after packet pick up will be available after the race at the Fleet Feet booth starting at 9:00am.
If still running, you may have someone pick up a shirt for you. Please provide them your name and or bib #.
If you do not pick up your packet before the race (at packet pickup or at the race), your shirt will NOT be saved for you.
COURSE CERTIFICATION AND MAPS
The 5k and 10k are flat, paved, and free of traffic. The half marathon has a 1/4 mile on each of the loops that are a single-track trail. All events start and finish at One Mile Recreation Area in Lower Bidwell Park.
The maps to all the racecourses can be found by clicking the link below:
Race Maps - Fleet Feet Chico
Shake out run Event!
Join us on March 6th at 6:00pm at Fleet Feet Chico for an easy evening shakeout run. We will go for a short run 3-6 mile run/walk and enjoy a cold beverage and come delicious carbs before the race. More information to come as we get closer to the event!
Location: Fleet Feet Chico, 241 Main St., Chico CA
Time: Show up between 5:30-6:00pm. Groups will start running at 6:15pm
PACKET PICKUP
Packet pickup will be offered at Fleet Feet Chico (241 Main St in downtown Chico) We will also have a small window on race day to pick up your packet.
Packet Pickup days and hours:
Friday March 6th at Fleet Feet Chico
10:00am - 4:00pm
Located at Fleet Feet Chico, 241 Main St., Chico CA
Race Day Packet Pick up at the Fleet Feet Tent
6:45am-7:45am ONLY
RACE SHIRTS:
Race shirts are a unisex cotton shirt printed by Arroyo (formally Upper Park Printing) To be guaranteed a shirt in your size, you need to register on or before February 6th, 2026. All registration entries received after 2/6/26 will have shirts based on limited availability on a first come first serve basis.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
To the course: Enter Chico via Highway 99 either from the north or from the south. If you are coming from the north on 99, take the Highway 32 offramp and turn right at the first intersection. If you are coming from the south on 99, take the 32 offramp and turn left at the second intersection. Now you're heading west on 32 (East 8th St). From here, take 8th St just under a half-mile, then turn right on Sycamore St.
Sycamore St runs a few blocks into Woodland Ave, which runs parallel to the park. The park itself will be closed to vehicle traffic on race day, so find a parking spot on or near Woodland Ave. Please be courteous and park legally. Do not park in a way that blocks local residents' entry to or exit from their homes. There are several entrances to the One Mile Recreation Area from Woodland Ave.
To Fleet Feet packet pickup: As above, from Highway 99 head west on Highway 32 (East 8th St).
Take 8th St about a mile then turn right on Main St. Drive north on Main St. Fleet Feet is located between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Fleet Feet's phone number is 530 345-1000.
Bike Valet
Free and Secure Bicycle Parking provided by Chico Velo
Bike valet will be available at the race this year! We encourage you to ride your bikes to the race and Chico Velo will have their bike valet services available to make sure your bike is safe while you run! This is a great way to warm up or cool down before and after your race.
To encourage you to ride we are doing a raffle for everyone wo checks a bike in!
TIMING
Timing will be done by Bizz Johnson Racing. All races will be a gun start and a chip finish. If you are racing for an overall placement, you must toe the line! (Based on Gun time/first to cross the line)
Gun start for 5k will be at 8:00am
Gun start for 10k, and Half Marathon will be 8:10am
AID STATIONS AND RESTROOMS
There will be 6 aid stations for the half, 3 for the 10k and 2 for the 5k.
1. Cedar Grove Bathrooms – Loop 1 Water / Loop 2 Water, nutrition gels and electrolytes
2. Peterson Drive Gate – Loop 1 Water / Loop 2 Water, nutrition gels and electrolytes
3. One Mile Parking Lot on Vallombrosa Side – Water and electrolytes
Restroom on the course will be located at One Mile recreation on the North and South side of the pool, Cedar Grove Park, and Pettersen Dr. Park entrance as well as portable restrooms at the start and finish.
RULES
Please no dogs on the course during the race. Stollers are allowed, please be cautious of other runners. If wearing headphones, only in one ear please! Must be able to hear your surroundings.
Be courteous when overtaking slower runners or walkers in your elected race location. We want you to race hard and fast, but with safety of yourself and others in mind. (Please remember that this is a public park and there may be others on course that are not part of the race)
Where your Race number so it is visible on the participant's front
Run your race with pride!
You must cross the timing mat for your chip to be read. If you are planning of racing for top finisher, the race is based on gun time and first to cross the finish line.
Run, hard, run fast and have fun!
AWARDS FOR TOP FINISHERS
We will be offering a CASH PRIZE Top male and female for each race! (5k, 10k and Half) We will have an award ceremony at 8:45am for the 5k, 9:15am for the 10k and 10:00am for the Half Marathon races.
Age group awards can be found at the Fleet Feet tent following the award ceremony for each race.
(Awards will also be offered to the top three in each age group category for each gender in each race)
All unclaimed prized will be available for pick up at Fleet Feet Chico on Sunday March 8th during regular business hours. (11:00am-4:00pm)
Ages groups will be as followed:
14 and under / 15-19 / 20-29 / 30-39 / 40-49 / 50-59 / 60-69 / 70 and over
Finisher Medals will be provided to all Half Marathon runners who finish the race.
(Any remaining medals will be available for pick up at Fleet Feet Chico for 5k and 10k runners on Sunday March 8th)
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Lower Bidwell Park, 1912 E 8th St,Chico, California, United States
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