Brazen Summer Breeze Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
San Leandro, CA
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
What makes Summer Breeze such a popular race? Is it the refreshing cool breezes in the Summer? The flat course? The race shirt? The finisher medal? The custom age group medals? It’s probably the incredible Brazen running community…and the ‘It’s It’ ice cream sandwiches at the finish! Everybody will enjoy … MORE
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Enjoyed the race will come back.
This was my first time running the Summer Breeze and I truly enjoyed the experience. I got a PR and came in second in my age group. The course was … MORE
This was my first time running the Summer Breeze and I truly enjoyed the experience. I got a PR and came in second in my age group. The course was mostly flat and race.
Brazen is Top Notch!
Brazen is a top notch race organization. The owners are great, the vibe is fun, the post-race food spread can be amazing (like Its-It ice creams). I started running with … MORE
Brazen is a top notch race organization. The owners are great, the vibe is fun, the post-race food spread can be amazing (like Its-It ice creams). I started running with them in 2012 and have done at least 3 dozen of their races. They always put on high quality events. Sadly, though, due to pandemic changes in registrant numbers, inflation, and possibly other factors they have become very expensive and they’ve stopped giving out medals but instead give out woodalions, and I can’t justify spending $80-100 (depending on when you register) to run a half marathon that gives out wood. If medals aren’t important to you and/or you don’t mind wood, then great…but for me, Summer Breeze 2023 was the first race I did of theirs that had converted to wood, and sadly it will be my last. But I wish them the best…
...Makes me feel fine ☀️
This is a really fun and easy race. It's held at the San Leandro Marina, and is just an out and back. All along the water, and the weather is … MORE
This is a really fun and easy race. It’s held at the San Leandro Marina, and is just an out and back. All along the water, and the weather is (usually) perfect. Five fully stocked aid stations for the half, and flat as a pancake. 🙂 A good place to push for your PR. As always for Brazen, you’ll be richly rewarded by the most awesome crew and volunteers. Swag is always amazing too!
Brazen is BACK!!!
Event & Course Description: Brazen Racing's “Breeze” events – this one was Summer Breeze – start and finish in Marina Park in San Leandro, and are, mostly, an out-and-back on … MORE
Event & Course Description: Brazen Racing’s “Breeze” events – this one was Summer Breeze – start and finish in Marina Park in San Leandro, and are, mostly, an out-and-back on the Bay Trail. The one partial exception is the 5K course, 1 mile of which loops around Faro Point, which forms the Small Boat Lagoon near the park (also home to hundreds of squirrels!). This year, for the first time, I did the 5K distance. The other distances are 10K and half marathon.
Organization & Production: This was Brazen’s first event after the Bay Area’s 15+ month Covid shutdown. I didn’t notice some of the aid station and recovery area details, but the only change to normal Brazen excellence were in snacks and food types and handling. Foods were all packaged, and handling was by gloved volunteers. Registering and check-in were all smoothly done, as usual.
Bib: Brazen doesn’t do plain race bibs. Bibs are usually distance color-coded. There is artwork in the background (often shared with the race T-shirt) with, running from top to bottom, the race name and date, bib number and runner’s name, and Brazen Racing’s logo. My bib for the 5K had golden stripes at the top and bottom, was personalized, and had a shadowy flowered pattern in the background.
T-Shirt: Brazen’s registration fee includes a tech type T-shirt for half marathon runners and a poly-cotton T-shirt for 10K and 5K runners. 10K and 5K runners can upgrade to a tech type Tee for a moderate fee (currently $7), which I did. My tech tee is white, with the race name in gold-bordered blue letters and the date above and below. The distances are in a dark pink ring around the name, and the ring is bordered with flowers in ombre rainbow pattern colors. The left sleeve has the Brazen logo and a flower in blue. The back is plain, no race sponsor logos.
Finisher’s Medal: The medallion is about the size of the palm of my hand. It features a muscular Neptune surfing on two dolphins, trident in his left hand and a water bottle in his right hand. His red “muscle shirt” has a Brazen Racing bib and he’s wearing golden shorts. To his right, vertically, is the year in yellow, and to his left the race name in orange and the distances in light blue. Across the bottom corner in yellow script is “We’re back!”
Finish & Recovery Area: As noted above, I didn’t notice much about the one aid station I passed, except that the volunteers handing out water and/or electrolyte drink wore gloves. In the recovery area there was a line with guide ropes for the snacks, and the coolers for the It’s Its ice cream sandwiches were a few yards away. The variety of snacks was a bit less, by Brazen standards, because it all had to be packaged. Obviously, there was no cut up fruit, courtesy of Covid. Other than the lack of fruit, I doubt anyone unfamiliar with what Brazen did pre-Covid would have been disappointed. And the It’s Its, being packaged, were “back”, in four or six (I forget) ice cream flavors. I was not disappointed!
My Results & Opinion of the Race: This was, for me, post-Covid in two respects (not that the virus has disappeared or is unserious). It was my first in-person event since February 2020. And while I have done similar distances on trails near me and on treadmills at the gym, it was also my first event since having had Covid in January. I was fairly aggressive, by my capabilities, and am very happy with my sub-53 minute finish time.
As for the event … Brazen! Is! Back!!!
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
What an emotional race! First in person Brazen race in ~17 months. A wonderful event held at the San Leandro Marina. Flat, easy course along the marina, with great views, … MORE
What an emotional race! First in person Brazen race in ~17 months. A wonderful event held at the San Leandro Marina. Flat, easy course along the marina, with great views, tons of aid stations, super supportive volunteers, and all the goodies that come with a Brazen event.
I had no idea how I was going to do at this event, but just wanted a 2:11 (10min/mile pace). Felt great and ran the entire run just a tad faster. That felt great. So awesome to see the Brazen crew, volunteers, and friends! I highly recommend this race, there are distances for everyone, and whether you are a first timer, or looking for a place to PR, this course is for you!
Fine race, but not worth traveling to
A very local race which is fine, but I think it suffers from being on a narrow trail instead of the road and is just a simple out-and-back. The one … MORE
A very local race which is fine, but I think it suffers from being on a narrow trail instead of the road and is just a simple out-and-back. The one highlight was passing a bunch of goats.
Flat and fast
This is a super flat race running along the bay. Conditions vary from sunny and warm to foggy and cold. Ya never know. A great race. Perfect for beginners and … MORE
This is a super flat race running along the bay. Conditions vary from sunny and warm to foggy and cold. Ya never know. A great race. Perfect for beginners and those running/hiking with kids!
Fun race
The temperature was really good (considering this is in the summer), the aid stations were very well stocked, the scenery was pretty nice, and (most importantly!) the course was pretty … MORE
The temperature was really good (considering this is in the summer), the aid stations were very well stocked, the scenery was pretty nice, and (most importantly!) the course was pretty flat.
As usual with Brazen Racing races, the medal and the p;ost-race snacks were awesome.
The Fun of Volunteering
No sarcasm, it really was fun. I've done Brazen's “Breeze” races – Bay Breeze in February and Summer Breeze in August – a number of times, but this was my … MORE
No sarcasm, it really was fun. I’ve done Brazen’s “Breeze” races – Bay Breeze in February and Summer Breeze in August – a number of times, but this was my first time volunteering for one. Brazen’s aid stations are always pretty varied. Water, electrolyte drink, and Coke. Several flavors of GU gel in packets. Potato chips, pretzels, Rice Krispy Treats, Payday bars, Oreos, Jelly Bellys, gummy bears, plan and peanut M & Ms, Skittles. Bananas, oranges, and watermelon.
We had a large crew, 7 I think, but it took quite a while to set it up. Our station was about a quarter of a mile before the 10K turn-around. We didn’t see 5K runners, but Summer Breeze is among Brazen’s more popular races (flattish course along the shore of the bay, usually decent weather in August … what’s not to like?!). So we were BUSY! Brazen staggers starts, so just as the less fast half marathon runners were thinning out the faster 10K runners started coming, and being somewhat close to the turn-around, we soon had 10K runners coming and going. Then the well spread out half marathon runners came … all in all, I think we went through about 9 gallons of electrolyte drink, and over 10 gallons of water.
The weather was pleasantly cool well into the morning, and even toward the end of the half marathon didn’t get super warm. One thing that was very cool was that we knew the last half marathoner who would be coming through our station on her return leg was doing her first half marathon, so we gave her a really great reception when she arrived. Later I learned that she did complete her first half!
Volunteering at aid stations can be very busy and serious (one of our tasks was to look out for runners in trouble), but it’s also lots of fun!
Great race atmosphere
The Brazen Race group hosts great events and this on is no exception. It is easy, social, has nice views and always cool weather on hot summer days MORE
The Brazen Race group hosts great events and this on is no exception. It is easy, social, has nice views and always cool weather on hot summer days
Flat course along the SF Bay
I've run this half marathon numerous times. The race starts are the San Leandro Marina. The half marathon is approximately 50% paved and 50% packed dirt. The course travels along … MORE
I’ve run this half marathon numerous times. The race starts are the San Leandro Marina. The half marathon is approximately 50% paved and 50% packed dirt. The course travels along the bayside trail and you are no more than a few feet from the water. The weather can be very unpredictable. Some years, it is sunny and nice and other years, it is extremely foggy and cold. This year, we got the nice weather. The half has five aid stations that are fully stocked with water, sports drink, sweet and salty snacks, Coca Cola, and great volunteers.
All finishers receive a high quality medal and a race shirt. I have too many shirts, so I opt out of the shirt at registration and save $5.
There is plenty of post race snacks. Brazen also provides It’s It ice cream sandwiches as a post race treat.
Brazen Racing hosts 25+ races a year. All are top notch productions with medals, shirts, and food.
Run by the bay
This is a well put together race. For its size I was surprised by pacers, organization, stops, and after party. The one negative thing I saw was the lack of … MORE
This is a well put together race. For its size I was surprised by pacers, organization, stops, and after party. The one negative thing I saw was the lack of shade on the course. So that said this is a good price and fun race…. Cheers to all Michael
Beautiful scene for the run
I run this course second times--1st Bay Breeze in winter, 2nd Summer Breeze in summer. The course is same and weather was cool in winter, warm (not too hot) in … MORE
I run this course second times–1st Bay Breeze in winter, 2nd Summer Breeze in summer.
The course is same and weather was cool in winter, warm (not too hot) in summer.
The volunteer group was amazing by guiding runner on course, providing water/ drink and taking photos.
The best part of the race–the photos are free and uploaded into website for downloading in 1 or 2 days.
You can pick up your BIB in the morning of race day which is convenient.
I want to come back and run again.
Nice and easy
There's one hill on the whole course which makes it super simple. The harder part of this race was actually fighting against the wind, but on the other hand the … MORE
There’s one hill on the whole course which makes it super simple. The harder part of this race was actually fighting against the wind, but on the other hand the wind felt so nice when I was halfway through and tired.
Flat Course - Good for PRs
Nice and easy flat course at the San Leandro Marina Park that allows you to run alongside the water coast. There was plenty of free parking and Brazen did a … MORE
Nice and easy flat course at the San Leandro Marina Park that allows you to run alongside the water coast. There was plenty of free parking and Brazen did a great job hosting the event with plenty of friendly volunteers, delicious snacks/ice cream sandwiches, and the medal & shirt design were awesome.
Great race to set that PR you’ve been training for.
Well Organized and Beautiful Views
The Brazen Race is a lot of fun. it is well organized and has great after run snacks. I love the course. It is flat and the timing always has … MORE
The Brazen Race is a lot of fun. it is well organized and has great after run snacks. I love the course. It is flat and the timing always has good cool weather. Great views out and back overlooking the bay.
A favorite course in the Bay Area
I love this race for a variety of reasons: 1. Brazen Racing - always a good production, well organized 2. Easy and FREE parking 3. Pretty scenery along the bay. … MORE
I love this race for a variety of reasons:
1. Brazen Racing – always a good production, well organized
2. Easy and FREE parking
3. Pretty scenery along the bay.
4. Race morning bib pickup is allowed 🙂
5. Cool medals – and custom medals for age group wins
6. Flat and fast course
7. Great food after the race
This is the same course as the “Bay Breeze” race in February. I’ll be doing that one too!
Flat course with nice views
This race is the same course as Brazen's Bay Breeze race that takes place in February. It's a flat course with nice bay views. Start is at the park adjacent … MORE
This race is the same course as Brazen’s Bay Breeze race that takes place in February. It’s a flat course with nice bay views. Start is at the park adjacent to the San Leandro Marina and the course is out and back mostly along the water. This is a well organized race with lots of snacks post-race. Easy parking on the street or in lots by the marina.
A great PR course (usually)
This was the second time I ran the half marathon. Last year, the course was a tiny bit short; this year, it was 0.2 miles too long (according to my … MORE
This was the second time I ran the half marathon. Last year, the course was a tiny bit short; this year, it was 0.2 miles too long (according to my Garmin)! So, I’d say that, usually, this is a good PR course. They always manage to get great, cool weather, despite the August date. And it’s pancake flat. With the longer course this year, and the fact that I was the 2:20 pacer, it was especially challenging.
Flat course with nice bay views
This is one of the flatter courses for Brazen but the views of the bay are fantastic and you get a nice sea breeze for the entire route. I ran … MORE
This is one of the flatter courses for Brazen but the views of the bay are fantastic and you get a nice sea breeze for the entire route. I ran this in years past but this time around decided to do the volunteer instead. I helped with the parking and then passing out the medals, what a great feeling seeing all the happy runnings finish.