Longhorn Stampede 5K
San Jose, CA
- 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The annual Longhorn Stampede 5K features a flat and USATF-certified course starting at Leigh High School and winding through surrounding Cambrian neighborhoods. Whether you are a walker, jogger, or competitive runner, join for this wonderful community celebration! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors, and join in the fun! Everyone welcome! … MORE
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A Nice Low-Key Family-Friendly Event
Event & Course Description: The Leigh Longhorn Stampede is a 5K that benefits Leigh High School students. Its mostly flat USATF certified course winds around part of San Jose's Cambrian … MORE
Event & Course Description: The Leigh Longhorn Stampede is a 5K that benefits Leigh High School students. Its mostly flat USATF certified course winds around part of San Jose’s Cambrian neighborhood. Since the area was developed in the late 1940s or the 1950s, it’s suburban homes with a fair number of mature trees. I’d guesstimate the course has 40%-50% shade.
Organization & Production: The event is low-key, but register and run. All necessary info is on the race website, with no gotchas. There is parking at the school, as well as in the nearby neighborhood that is not part of the course. There were a couple of water stations on the course, very appropriate for a family-oriented 5K. There were music groups at 3 points along the course, and cheer team girls near the start and finish.
Bib: The overall color of the bib is green (one of the school colors). It has a drawing of the school mascot, a charging bull, plus the bib number.
T-Shirt: The T-shirt is forest green cotton. The front has the green charging bull over a bright golden yellow circle. Around that circle are the race name and year.
Finisher’s Medal: The medallion is a about 1 1/2 inch diameter lead gray disc with stars around it. In the center is a mostly green sticker with the bull and race info. It’s semi-custom from Crown, but pleasant. I have very moderate expectations for charity/benefit events, so I’m quite happy with this medal. The ribbon is plain green.
Finish & Recovery Area: The start area was a street in front of the high school, and the finish was the school’s central quad. There were a good number of benches and picnic type tables nearby. Runners went through the finish arch and were given their medals and a bottle of water as they went into the quad. There was a table well stocked with bananas and other simple goodies – more than I would expect of a charity/benefit event.
My Results & Opinion of the Race: I’ve had slightly better 5K finish times recently, but since it was a fairly warm day, my time was probably pretty good (for me). I’ve been wanting to do this event for quite some time, but between other choices and two years of Covid pause, this was my first time. It’s about 10 minutes drive from my home, and was a pleasant race experience, so the Leigh Longhorn Stampede will be a consideration next year.