Anthony Pasqualini's Staging Area

Usually held in April but delayed due to Covid. Totally enjoyable road race! They did a great job the race was well organized, every odd mile markers, water/gatorade stations ever 2 miles or so. Ocean and beach views a pretty awesome climb up Torrey Pines and a great finish at La Jolla complete with live band, a beer garden and a DJ. This will not be my last race here!

In 2015 Bad Bass 5K was my first introduction to trail running and Brazen Racing. I had only done 1 other race before a home town 4th of July road race. I was not sure I would ever really “get into” running especially in organized races. I was pretty intimidated by what I had witnessed at road races I had attended with my wife and pretty confident that this would be similar and most likely my last organized race.

Well that was 51 races ago! Since then I have done the Bad Bass 10K twice. Lake Chabot is an oasis in an urban setting providing a great background and an amazing place not just to run in but to enjoy many outdoor activities.

If you have never done a Brazen race before they make signing up for the race simple every race has 3 different price points. The closer to race day (including race day) you register the more you pay. Packet pick up also offers multiple choice. You can have your bib and race packet snail mailed, you can usually pick up your race packet at predefined location on the Thursday and Friday before the race or you can show up early on race day and pick up your bib and goodies.

The atmosphere at the Lake Chabot is always lively, there is plenty of parking available and if your there for the race parking is free. I love arriving for the Bad Bass you can usually hear the bagpipes tuning up in the background as you prep for whatever race your running. There is a convenient bag check but given the proximity of the parking to the race start you can always store your stuff back in your car.

The bagpipers play you out at the start of all 3 races (1/2, 10K & 5K) it’s a pretty cool way to start out a race. The first two miles of the 10K are on a nice shady paved trail mostly along the lake, this is to lull you into a false sense of security. As you leave the first aid station you begin to move a bit more upward for the 10K this does not stop for the next mile and half.

Your climbing on a dirt trail at least for me it’s fairly technical, plenty of rocks and pot holes to watch for as well as the steep climb, the good part is when you reach the top you hit an aid station before you have to make your way back down. Going down can be troublesome with all the rocks and places to twist your ankle at some points I slowed to a walking pace just to prevent any injury. Once you cross the single lane bridge, and hit the aid station nearby, your in the shade and travelling back to the finish.

As usual the Brazen medal and t-shirt were exceptional and every type of sugar, salty and healthy snack is available as well as the hard earned Its It.

The best thing about the Bad Bass and any Brazen race for that matter is the people the volunteers, streakers, newbies, kids even random folks just there to enjoy Lake Chabot were friendly and smiling. This is what has me coming back to Brazen races again and again. There is no attitude no worries if you’re the fastest or the slowest. Sam will be the first to tell you “take your time and enjoy the trail we will be here when you finish” its great advice!

The race was fun and family orientated I usually do the Run San Ramon 4th of July race but I am streaking Brazen so had a chance to experience a new location. Registration was easy as usual picked up my bib on race day no lines. There was plenty of free parking and the race started on time. The course was simple a nice run through Concord. If your looking for a nice local 4th of July 5k that’s well organized (There was also a fun kid run available before the 5k), then I would recommend this race in Concord.

The usual easy bib pickup you experience with Brazen races. Whether its early bib pickup or quickly getting your bib on race day. Sanborn Park is beautiful and for this race it was pretty cool whether as well. If you have never been to the park even if you’re not going to do any of the runs I would recommend checking it out. It one of those hidden places that if you never had a reason to go there you would not know about it.

This is my 3rd race at Sanborn, it’s tough no matter which race you run. I did the 10k today and honestly this is one of the most challenging of the Brazen races for me. Some of the others feel worse because of hot temperatures but this one wins hands down (besides the Double Dipsea) for climb and technically challenging train run.

You start out with a nice run into the redwoods it seems idyllic you meander to that first upward switch back I was thinking maybe it will be easier this time, ya know you have been training, running hills I feel good! Well at least for me by the ½ mile I was walking the uphill’s and running where I could. This continued for the first three miles. There is an aid station at around 1.4 I stopped got some water and continued alternating between a “fast” walk and slow jog. The trail is pretty there are redwoods and you’re in the forest for sure. You have to watch your footing plenty of rocks, tree limbs, roots and a few steps should ensure you focus on where you put your feet. I did see a couple of people being lead gingerly back to the start after twisting ankles.

At the turn around pretty much spot on at 3.1 you begin your trek back down, again you have to watch your footing, you should try and let people know your coming as well. A lot of telling people “on your right” and “thank you” felt appropriate along with letting some of the faster down-hillers pass me by. The first mile and ½ down at least its only fellow 10K’ers you run into but after you hit the aid station your now running with some of the slower 5K runners/walkers (hikers really!). So, attention to the trail was most important for me.

I finished in the top 3 in my age group so I am really pleased with my time, the refreshments were the usual high standard and the medals were awesome and slugworth! All said if your wanting a challenging and technical trail run that well done or you just want to have a great hike and a beautiful location I would highly recommend this race. Just be careful, let people know you’re coming and be respectful of your fellow hiker/walker/runners!

I know this was only my 5th 1/2 Marathon but it was my favorite. Packet pickup was Saturday and was nice and easy no lines only a few vendors and on the beach in Capitola, what more can you ask for. You received your white “Surfers Path” tech shirt, not my favorite color for a running shirt but it was good quality.

Race day likewise was fairly simple I stayed in Capitola and the race started at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They had ample parking (for $15) there also seemed to be plenty of street parking for those who wanted to look for it. The 1/2, full and relay all had the same starting time and after minimal fuss and fanfare we started on time at 7:00 AM. I was so happy that it was foggy at start time it could not have been nicer morning to run.

The 1/2 Marathon is an out and back you go along the coast from Santa Cruz to Capitola and then back. I heard a few people mention hills before the race but there was nothing noticeable maybe 25 – 30 ft climb but nothing I would call a hill. The views were great and I found some beaches between Santa Cruz and Capitola that I did not know existed. The aid stations offered water, sports drinks and GU, I lost count how many there were but it was plenty. We were cheered on by plenty of locals as we went through the neighborhoods along the coast and through Capitola I think the early hours may have limited the amount of viewers

The finish was in the sand on the beach not too far past the Beach Boardwalk, the finisher medal was nice. For me this was my PR 1/2 that I had been training for so I could not have been happier with the race. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching the surfers at one of the new beaches I noticed on our run. I am sure I will return again next year.

Last year’s Western Pacific was my first 10k this year was my first Brazen ½ marathon. I was not thrilled with my performance, I am sure that will come with time I started out fine and not unexpectedly fizzled out at the end. Need more training to finish how I would like but still overall thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I arrived around 6:55 packet pick up went fine and parking was a breeze. I watched the start of the full marathon which is a Boston Qualifier so there were a good number of people running it. Hopefully next year I will be running the full marathon. The race was pretty flat it went partially around the lake and then loops onto the Alameda creek trail for several miles and then we returned back to the lake trail and around to the finish.

The weather was great and the race went smoothly for me. I have to say thank you to the all the aid station workers. The aid stations as usual were well stocked and had cool water to refill my water bottle as well as a good mix of sweet and salty snacks, Gu and sports drink. I honestly prefer hills and trails to flat runs but I had a great time.

I recommend this race to anyone whether they are a road runner or a trail runner like all Brazen races its well done, well organized and a lot of fun.

I have a strong preference for Brazen races so its easy to always rate them high, but I enjoyed this race more then any other Brazen race. The weather was amazing, the course was everything that made me love trail running. I did the 10k and I think Sam said we would pass through 11 creeks twice 2.

The race starts off with a nice open path a little uphill and you hit the first creek the water was freezing and felt great on my feet. You cross plenty more creeks some with water almost to my knees.

You then hit a single track path that winds on up the mountain for 2 miles before turning and heading back down in a loop and back the way you came. re-crossing the 11 creeks again. The finish was the standard (awesome) Brazen finish line. They offered the normal fair and Its-It. The extra-ordinary plus was that there was delicious BBQ on offer.

We stayed a couple hours longer then usual to just enjoy the amazing weather and beautiful park. Being able to watch the 1/2 marathon and 50k runners finish was inspirational. The 10k offered everything I could ask for, technical trails, single track climbs, mud and water crossings. I have to imagine the 1/2 and 50k were so tough but I will have to try the 1/2 next time!

Another Brazen race after a rainy winter and they managed to pull it off with few hitches. I cannot imagine the challenges that Sam and Jasmine have run into this year with all the rain, the Silver Creek area had been underwater several weeks before the race so we were lucky to be able to run it. It forced some sub optimal changes to the course but it was still a fun race. I had run the 5k previously and the 10k was very similar all paved and a flat course. The course itself was in a kind of T shape, this forced the half runners to have do some back and forth on the same trail.

The last mile of my 10k was crowded with 5k runners, walkers, strollers and kids. This was fine with me although I did hear some people complain I guess I find it easier to make my way around kids and strollers then mud, rocks, roots and fallen trees.

When it comes to Brazen I am biased I have never had a bad experience and the fact that they have been able to pull off two races in poor conditions at short notice and not miss a beat says a lot about why I am so biased. Altogether a good race day!

This is my first ever review so please be kind.
If your looking, for a well marked, timed , race full of swag this is not the race for you. If you want to experience awesome views, some sections of technical trail in a fun, family atmosphere I would recommend this race. I forgot how beautiful Angel Island is and this race was a great refresher. The course could have been better marked but if you listened to Dave your knew where to go. This will not be my last Enviro race!