BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- It's a 26.2-mile trot that starts and ends at the Kern County Museum, but attracts runners and viewers around the globe. The Bakersfield Marathon has become one of the city's biggest events. In years past, Ryan Stenderup ran the half. This time, he's doing the whole thing. "Just to challenge myself, you know?" Stenderup said. RELATED: ‘No matter what society may define them as, we really have no limits’: Family prepares for Bakersfield Marathon Javier Cruz is a frequent face at marathons. He's ran in Boston six times, and in the Bakersfield Marathon every year it's been held. His favorite year came with a great achievement. "It was my first year, because I was waiting for so many years for this to happen," said Cruz. "The first year that it happened, I was elated, I was very happy, and I qualified for Boston on the first one." When talking marathons, the Boston Marathon is the big one, but you can't just apply and run. You must meet a standard based on age and gender at a marathon the Boston Athletic Association validates as a qualifier. The Bakersfield Marathon is one of the many qualifiers around the world, giving locals a place in their backyard to give it a shot. And if you're not taking on the full 26.2 miles, you can run the half marathon, the 10K or the 5K. Samantha Hill, a runner from Bakersfield, runs the half. She loves that it passes through many of Bakersfield's best features. "The half runs through all my favorite parts of town," said Hill. "You get downtown, you get to explore the museum, you get to see all Bakersfield has to offer, and it's a very doable distance." But the common denominator for why these runners keep coming back? Community. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 17 News Alerts SIGN UP NOW "Just cheering us on and giving us all the energy and excitement," said Stenderup. "I love running the streets of Bakersfield." said Cruz "And I love that the community is involved. "This is my hometown," said Hill. "There's nothing like Bakersfield and the small businesses and the support we all have for each other. It's all community here and that's something that will always bring me back home." The Bakersfield Marathon takes place March 30.