The Dam Run 5K & 10K
Orinda, CA
- 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
Kick off the New Year in great style with Wolf Pack Events first run of the year, “The Dam Run”. This is a 5K and 10K Run/Walk event at the Beautiful San Pablo Dam Reservoir, Orinda Entrance. We’ll begin at 9:00 AM and hope you’ll join us for a fun … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jan 18):
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| H (°F) | 49 | 60 | 58 | 53 | 62 |
| L (°F) | 39 | 50 | 49 | 47 | 53 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Great Time But Run Was Work
Official results are in so that I'm updating my review here. I had based it on unofficial results based on my data from a Wahoo chest-strap heart monitor, a Fitbit … MORE
Official results are in so that I’m updating my review here. I had based it on unofficial results based on my data from a Wahoo chest-strap heart monitor, a Fitbit Inonic, their apps, and Adidas Running app which I had running, and Wolf Pack posted results in about a day or two. I was doing my best time on this run for the first mile or two, and I did win first place in my age section, something unexpected, but the 5K only had about a hundred participants, and I won’t say where I how few there were in my age group.
. It’s the first time I’ve placed, let alone first for something in a foot race. I’m happy about it, but I ran for the exercise. However, having a personal best (PB) did cross my mind as I had a good pace, but I just missed it with 12:11 per mile versus my PB of 12:07 at the Santa Rosa 5K last August.
The air’s great at this venue! It’s got good scenery. Production and Wolf Pack are great! They do emphasize they’re there also for the older crowd.
I thought the climb was perfect, around 160 feet over the 5K, including a downhill on the Finish (uphill @ start). Bathrooms are aplenty, parking’s free, and Wolf Pack has a great price point for their events without sacrificing quality in important areas, and in my case they made up for it with an extra medal because I finished first in my age range, which they separate into 5-year intervals. Otherwise, I consider giving their swag a 3, but again, there’s good value. Read more at their site if you want to learn more.
I couldn’t find water that was clearly intended for participants before the start, but I did get there with only 20-25 minutes to spare before the start. They had some plastic bottles stacked and sealed near the table with the food and coffee and stuff setup, but it looked like they were for finishers. Moreover, the coffee and creamer were the good stuff and plenty was available, along with good cups, and I had a few pieces of water melon. They basically provide breakfast, but they may want to make sure water bottles are clearly available for participants before the race.
I highly recommend this Dam Race at San Pablo Dam, Orinda entrance. Finding the open entrance was a bit difficult though, it’s 3.1 miles past the El Sobrante one, but don’t go too far. If your’re coming from El Sobrante to the Orinda entrance, you’ve gone too far if you hit Bear Creek Road about 4 miles past the El Sobrante entrance going towards Orinda. I was worried about making it on time as I first tried the El Sobrante entrance which was closed. A sign said the Orinda entrance was 3.1 miles down, but it’s a bit difficult to see coming from El Sobrante towards Orinda. I ended up turning left down Bear Creek road from San Pablo Road and went down it a half mile or so before deciding I had made a mistake and heading back to a right onto San Pablo Dam Road. I found the Orinda entrance about a half mile back off of San Pablo Dam Road. The fact it had Wolf Pack’s banner for the Dam Run on the entrance sign helped when I passed it heading back towards El Sobrante from Bear Creek Road.
Very enjoyable 10k
Wolfpack Event is a small organization, but they put on great events. I ran the 10k today at the San Pablo Reservoir. The race runs along the paved road and … MORE
Wolfpack Event is a small organization, but they put on great events. I ran the 10k today at the San Pablo Reservoir. The race runs along the paved road and then after the 5k turn around runs onto the dirt trail. The course meanders through a wooded area and a pretty meadow. The course returns to pavement when it reaches the dam area. We run up the trail along the dam to the turn around and then return the way we came. The course was well marked, except for one section where I went off course. I realized it before I was too lost. It had been raining quite a bit the days before the race, so some sections were muddy and squishy. Aid stations were stocked with water, sports drink, and some gels.
All runners receive a finisher’s medal and a shirt. Good variety of post race snacks.
I finished third in my age group and received a medal for that.
Nice rice and production. Will run again.
Soggy and Slippery
I signed up for this race at the last minute, and am really glad I did. First, the entry fee wasn't too bad, especially for someone registering the week before. … MORE
I signed up for this race at the last minute, and am really glad I did. First, the entry fee wasn’t too bad, especially for someone registering the week before. Second, it was a pretty wet January, so turnout was pretty dismal which means I placed with a time that would otherwise have been unimpressive. It’s all relative. Also, just a shout-out here to the volunteers who had to stand in the drizzle for hours and somehow still managed to be super encouraging and positive!
The race itself was clearly marked, with the first mile-ish on paved road, and the rest being trail. I almost exclusively trail run, and it was an obvious advantage with the trails being slick and difficult to navigate in places. Narrower parts made it tough to pass, but it wasn’t a huge problem with so few people! Other than that there was one or two steeper sections, but mostly it was a rolling course.
Race organization was sufficient for the size of the event. I think with more people it would have been a little messier. It was tough to find some of the necessary tents- I had to ask someone where I could get a water 🙂 But everyone was super friendly, and while the swag wasn’t exceptional, I also didn’t pay a ton in entry fees. Which now that I think about it, I kind of prefer it that way.
Would definitely do it again!