BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- There's no party like an east side party, they say. In the beautiful La Cresta neighborhood, it starts early for the Bakersfield Marathon. Drinks flow like fountains starting at 7 a.m. sharp. Food is in abundance, and bubbles fly through the sky for the kids and the runners. "It's a great party," said Martin Hansen, a resident of the neighborhood. "We've been doing it for the last couple years in the La Cresta neighborhood. It's great." The runners enjoy it too. Hansen says it's not uncommon for some to take a load off and sit down, eat food, drink and maybe just hang out. Aubree Seybert and Cindy Flores didn't do all that — they have a 10K to finish — but they do enjoy running through La Cresta and seeing everyone supporting the marathon. Bakersfield Marathon 2025: One for the record books "Just the support. I love how they're cheering for us. It's so fun," said Seybert. "It's so beautiful, the energy. It just makes you feel good," said Flores. That good feeling probably lasts until the Panorama Bluffs, where an uphill battle begins. But fret not; it comes back around, and then it's downhill going all the way back. "Came all the way uphill, now it's downhill… a lot easier," said Phillip Angel Rizo, who ran the full marathon. "But I live around here, so I'm used to the hills. So I know how to kinda pace myself." And on the way, don't forget to take it in and be in the moment. Watch the 2025 Bakersfield Marathon "I don't even run with headphones -- I love hearing the sounds and hearing the people. It's a really beautiful experience," said Rizo. Just try to run a bit faster than a snail's pace -- snail who is cheering on her loved ones, of course. "We just dug [the costume] out of the closet to cheer our runners on, Emily and Cyrus Romance," said Pam Romance, the very supportive snail. "My son is running the 10K, my daughter-in-law is running the half marathon." And back at the La Cresta party, once all the runners have come through, block off the streets for a little pickleball and cornhole, because why not? And, maybe another drink. "Just a few," said Hansen, when asked how many drinks he had. "Under four." Who knows if there are rules about stopping in the middle of the marathon, but with a party like this, how could you resist? ...read more read less