Rock Cobbler RUN 2026

Distances and entry

• Boulder — $160.80
• Cobbler — $139.50
• Pebbler — $107.54
• Junior Pebbler (ages 13-17) — $80.90

About Rock Cobbler RUN 2026

The RUN...The Food...The Prizes...The stupidly hard route...The glorious euphoric pain...The rocks, the dirt, the dust...

The Rock Cobbler Trail RUN 2.0 was born from its sibling, the OG Rock Cobbler “sorta gravel bike ride”.  A mildly stupid hard trail run bordering on a race. It was conceived by madmen…on a bike ride…then with running shoes….then on barstools, late in the night. As always, we are passionate and driven to showcase dirt trails and some things that are neither. Shenanigans abound. We promise a unique, challenging route….in a very Bakersfield way. As is tradition, the final routes, details, updates, and news will be shared with registered runners.

ANNOUNCING The Rock Cobbler FIRST RESPONDER CHALLENGE, presented by FIRSTNET

In 2025, we organically had quite a few runners from the Kern County Fire Dept. That inspired us to egg on a few friends in other agencies to “pony up” and show up! So the FR Challenge within Rock Cobbler is officially launched! The rules (we hate rules but these are pretty simple):

The agency that brings the most runners (combined) that FINISH the Boulder, Cobbler or Pebbler will be honored and presented with an amazing, handcrafted and fully bad ass “thing” to show off for a year. Complete with agency plaque. What is it?!?! You’ll have to be there for the unveiling before the Boulder start!

Points are as follows:

Boulders             3 points   for each finisher

Cobblers            2points    “ “

Pebblers             1point      “ “

In the event of a tie, a “run off” will be held for a 200 yard dash…the tied agencies will select their runner from finishers of either the Boulder or Cobbler distance.

ROUTES

·       Suffering while still having fun is a must! It’ll be an adventure! For 2026, there will be (3) routes to choose from:

·       BOULDER--Roughly 26 mi/41.84K with roughly 4500ft of vert. 2 laps

·       COBBLER--Roughly 13 mi/21K with roughly 2300ft of vert. 1 lap

·       PEBBLER--Roughly 6 mi/10K  vert. TBD 1 short loop

GEAR

·       This is a fully off-road trail style run. Good trail shoes AND shoe gaiters (love us some foxtails!) are a MUST

·       Full sleeve, short sleeve or tanks are required. NO SHIRTLESS plz

·       Poles if you like using them are a good idea

·       We operate CUPLESS, meaning you will need to start with the handheld(s), waist pack or back pack hydration vessel of your choice. Fully stocked aid stations after you start.

WHAT YOU GET/ENTRY FEE

·       The fun starts with 805 beer and other beverages Friday night at packet pickup AND if you so choose, free entry into the Friday night  Nov 6th “805 Beer Mile” race with $150 in cash prizes!

·       A solid swag bag!

·       Breakfast burritos and coffee from COVENANT COFFEE morning of the run.

·       A challenging, nutty, hard, fun route, amazing event support and aid stations with FLUID hydration and other awesome fueling during your run. And some $$ !! to win along the route coupled with the pain.

·       An awesome lunch from the BAKOFORNIA GRILL (we do food right!) including tri tip, BBQ chicken, our famous fries (frites), salad, beans and yes, Twinkies. And plenty of 805 beers and other drinks.

·       A great raffle (all runners auto-entered, silent raffle…check the table!)

·       “THE” SPECIAL GIFT for all runners—we give each participant something COOL that they can use and enjoy! We don’t do medals for your grandkids to throw away!

·       Entry fee(s):        $150 Boulder                       $130 Cobbler                      $100 Pebbler    

·       Sorry, no refunds.

BASIC RULES—detailed rules and other info sent to reg’d runners

·       Like the Cobbler RIDE and by tradition, there are no categories, no podiums…this is you vs the course and trash talk with your amigos. We don’t call it a race, it’s a damn challenging run. But, race it up as much as you see fit.

·       We do award the first male and female finisher of each route with an extra special gift. (You will be professionally timed and our timers do break down ages so you can see how ya stack up!)

·       You must make it to the final aid station by 4pm for any route or we reserve the right to haul you in.

·       We recognize it can get lonely among the scrub, ear buds OK but we ask you keep them on LOW to hear other runners and support staff and wildlife..aka rattlesnakes

·       NO OUTSIDE SUPPORT—if you have specific needs for the BOULDER distance (as it’s 2 laps) you can stash at the start finish line

VENUE/TIMES/AMMENITIES

·       Event location: Rio Bravo Ranch, 15701 Highway 178 Bakersfield, CA 93306

·       CAR/RV CAMPING AVAILABLE, $50 per vehicle per night Fri AND or Sat night—no services

·       Friday Nov 6th packet pickup, at the venue/venue opens 2–8pm

·       Friday Nov 6th “805 Beer Mile”, cash prizes and fun 4:30pm

·       Friday Nov 6th pasta dinner 5-8pm at the venue—details to reg’d runners

·       Saturday Nov 7th breakfast burritos and Covenant Coffee 6-8am
Boulders start 8am
Cobblers start 8:30am
Pebblers start 9:30am

·       Saturday Nov 8th   10:30am-2pm  post run eats, drinks, music
2pm—FIRST RESPONDER CHALLENGE AWARDING

REG opens July 1st. We do expect a sell out, reg early!

Questions? Sam Ames, Chief Excitement Officer        SAM@AMESWORKS.COM

When you finish, (if you finish) you will know why it’s called ROCK COBBLER!