Brazen Racing Trail Hog Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
San Jose, CA
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
Go Hog Wild on Mt. Ham-ilton! Stampeding through the low grasses comes the newest breed of Santa Clara County Park animals, the Brazen Trail Hog! Come join us on Mount Hamilton for a late summer half marathon, 10K and 5K! Hikers/walkers are welcome!
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My First Half-Marathon!
Nice scenery and beautiful course!! Excellent volunteers and amazing aid stations. I feel like they all go above and beyond! For example, the volunteer at the “sweat check” asked me … MORE
Nice scenery and beautiful course!! Excellent volunteers and amazing aid stations. I feel like they all go above and beyond! For example, the volunteer at the “sweat check” asked me if I needed sunscreen. I thought that was super kind of her. All of the aid stations were well stocked with everything you could imagine, including a volunteer with a wet sponge to cool you off!! The hills were a bit challenging for me, but this was my first half-marathon, (definitely won’t be my last!) And, I’m really looking forward to doing another “Brazen Racing” race again!
Exposed
Mostly exposed trail with varying conditions. One year was chilly, the next was hottest on record. Mount Hamilton in September! I carry extra water. AS support is great but it … MORE
Mostly exposed trail with varying conditions. One year was chilly, the next was hottest on record. Mount Hamilton in September! I carry extra water. AS support is great but it can be hot with u relenting sun on those trails. Expertly run. Great medals/shirts. Parking easy.
Can be hottttt
Great course with support and well put together. Can be hot and exposed. Parking is easy. I get carsick very easily~so if that’s you...head up there early and take into … MORE
Great course with support and well put together. Can be hot and exposed. Parking is easy. I get carsick very easily~so if that’s you…head up there early and take into consideration. Run by great folks. Cool medals and shirts.
Beautiful Spot
Being on Mt. Hamilton makes me feel open and free. The drive takes a while (come up from Alum Rock Avenue) but the spacious views are tremendous. One year, two … MORE
Being on Mt. Hamilton makes me feel open and free. The drive takes a while (come up from Alum Rock Avenue) but the spacious views are tremendous. One year, two ginormous hogs darted out in front of us driving out. This was kinda scary so definitely pay attention!
The race takes place during Labor Day Weekend and it’s usual hot; 2018, however, was HELLISHLY hot, like 110 degrees or more. And there isn’t much shade on the course. Needless to say, there weren’t many course PRs that day.
I’ve never done the half despite my best intentions. I’ve done the 10K at least 3 times. It has hills, but it’s not the toughest course. The trails are wide and not technical.
My favorite part of the race is the bling. This year’s medal was a pig styled after “Hamilton” the Broadway show. Loved it!
Too Hot For The Hogs!
Trail Hog is one of my favorite races despite it being another year of me not spotting a wild pig. Everyone else seemed to though! The course is mostly exposed … MORE
Trail Hog is one of my favorite races despite it being another year of me not spotting a wild pig. Everyone else seemed to though! The course is mostly exposed and primarily wide fire roads, but it’s not too hilly and the party at the finish line is always the best. It was a new course this year thanks to last year’s storm damage so it was interesting to see how the course had changed. The new hill at the turn around was a big surprise to everyone who had done the half before!
The medal and tech shirt Brazen gives to runners are always awesome, but the aid stations at this race had Otter Pops this year and those were a huge hit! It was such a hot day, but the volunteers were excellent and a huge help like always. They were giving everyone as much water and ice as needed and taking care of those who needed more assistance.
It got up to 110 degrees on the trails and lots of people were suffering from heat exhaustion, but I managed to finish and more than earned my post race It’s It! Everyone was taking care of each other at the finish and making sure the runners were feeling okay and getting water to recover from the hot temperatures. It really showed how special the running community is and how much everyone cares about each other.
Thanks to the higher than normal temperatures, many runners chose to drop to a different distance or do the hiker start for the half (or early hiker start) and I earned a coveted first place age group medal! Brazen recently started doing individualized age group medals for each races which makes them even more desirable. There were only two of us in my age group, but it still counts!
I’m sure I’ll be back for more fun next year and I can only hope I’ll see a real trail hog (from far away of course!)
Hotter than HOT!!!
WOW! I ran this race last year and what a difference a year makes in the temperature. Last year, the race was foggy and cool. This year year the temp … MORE
WOW! I ran this race last year and what a difference a year makes in the temperature. Last year, the race was foggy and cool. This year year the temp was BLAZING!!. I ran the half marathon and chose the early hiker start at 7am. It was already in the low 70’s at this point. I checked the forecast that morning and it was supposed to be about 95′ at 10am. Well, when I finished the race at 10:30, it was 105′. This race takes place at Joseph D. Grant Park on Mt. Hamilton in San Jose. The majority of the course is on wide rolling fire roads. The course is not very technical. Total distance was about 13.7 miles with about 1800 ft of elevation.
The aid stations were very well stocked with extra water and ice, in addition, to the regular food items and sports drink. There were buckets with sponges and water to cool yourself off and one aid station had a mist sprayer that one of the volunteers was spraying on the runners. it felt so good. I took every opportunity at the aid stations to cool off in the shade and load up on fluids and food. I drank the 70 ounces of water in my hydration pack and the volunteers refilled it for me. I felt good out there, but I did end up walking the last three miles because with the angle of the sun, I felt like I had a heat lamp blasting the right side of my body and I felt like I was getting a little over heated. I was never so happy to see that Brazen Arch and hear all the cheering. At the finish, I was handed my medal and a bottle of cold water and a sponge with water to cool off with.
All the volunteers were fabulous. They suffered out in the heat just like the runners did. He’s to next year that the weather gods will be nice and give us a foggy cool start like in 2016……
Scorching hot trail race with critters
This is my 3rd Trail Hog race and my 3rd year Anniversary running with Brazen racing. I arrived early and could have switched to the first hiker start at 7:00am. … MORE
This is my 3rd Trail Hog race and my 3rd year Anniversary running with Brazen racing.
I arrived early and could have switched to the first hiker start at 7:00am. Instead I stuck with the 8:00am start and thought how hard can this be. Well by 8:00 am I’m sure it was already 80 degrees. The course itself is moderately difficult but if this was your first trail race , well you might think it was extremely hard.
You will find it’s rugged and dusty in parts and open fields of full sun. This year it was during a very hot heat wave and we recorded up to 104 -106 degrees by the end of the race.
The total incline was supposed to be around 1,800ft but there was a course change 2,100 ft of incline was probably more accurate.
There were 4 aid stations of enthusiastic and helpful volunteers.
There was a stretch between mile 9-11.5 that I really needed water and was out. All I could do was walk as my heart rate was very high at this point.
Now I look for animals and birds while racing as I don’t listen to music or run with someone.
So I will tell you I saw a Golden eagle , 6 wild hogs, quails, wild turkeys, woodpeckers and a really really large rattle snake crossed my path . So that is what I call scenery, it was fun to see during a very arduous run.
Although some people got heat stroke most of us took our time and ploughed through it.
This is a race I won’t ever forget .
Take a hydration pack just in case you take a wrong turn.
Overall a very memorable race.
An it’s it and food awaits you at the finish line and this year sponges to cool you off.
Race was on hottest day ever
This 2017 Trail Hog race was overshadowed with a unique weather forecast. The entire Bay Area had temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit on race day which is unusual. Even at … MORE
This 2017 Trail Hog race was overshadowed with a unique weather forecast. The entire Bay Area had temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit on race day which is unusual. Even at 7 am it was already the in the 80s, and a measured temperature on the course around 10 am was 105 F. The weather forecast was accurate. The race director sent out a warning email with a red background. Trail running is an activity that isn’t just running, it is about finishing the race without getting lost, and without injuries. There were a few things that were on my to-do list: drink from the bottle in between aid stations and completely refill at each of the four aidstations, don’t push the pulse too high, use the sponge baths they provide at the aid stations, and most importantly evaluate yourself at mile 6, if I was still fresh enough to continue with the second loop. If not, call it the day, there is no shame in giving up, not at a day like that. In fact, I felt great at mile 6. That coincided with runners from the 5K race joining the course, and I had enough energy to keep up with fresh legged Mike B. and Sallie A. for a quarter mile. It was so fun running with them, that I had an extra boost. Fast forward, it is fair to say that the second loop took the energy out my body. The last 2 miles weren’t easy, in fact, I decided not to run at all, but walk, no standing. The sun was brutal, nevertheless just putting one step after another. The key is listening to your body, the moment you have a headache, stop, lay down in the shade, but so that others can see you. Thinking through all that takes preparation, and that is part of Trail running. Brazen organization was great once again. The aid stations were stocked with so much ice, that I could take an ice cold sponge bath even at 10 am with temperatures above 100 Fahrenheit, that isn’t logistically easy to achieve.
Hot! Hotter!! Hottest!!!
Event & Course Description: No, I wasn't describing the runners (Wink! Wink!). It was a HOT day. As in above 105F when many or most people finished their half marathon. … MORE
Event & Course Description: No, I wasn’t describing the runners (Wink! Wink!). It was a HOT day. As in above 105F when many or most people finished their half marathon. It was a record-breaking day, in temperatures, not finish times. Welcome to summer!
So, the easiest approach to describing the course I did, the 5K, would be to start with the half marathon course. This course was two oblong loops that shared a long section in the middle, with a short start and finish “stick”. As the course map on Brazen’s website is aligned, half and 10K runners did the loop on the left, and when they finished that loop 10K runners headed for the finish, while half marathon runners went out on their second loop. 5K runners did an abbreviated version of the second loop, using a mile or so of two trails not used by the other two distances. The courses are almost entirely dirt trails, with 80%-90 sun exposure (very little shade).
Organization & Production: Trail Hog is a Brazen race, so that means excellent organization from the information on their website all the way through returning to your car after finishing and recovering. Courses are always well marked with color-coded flags, and there were course marshals at key junctions to direct runners which way to go.
Brazen races normally feature separate start times for each distance. Brazen also normally has an early “Hiker’s Start” for slower half marathoners, usually a half or full hour before the regular half marathon start. At Trail Hog the scheduled Hiker’s Start was half an hour early. When it became clear how hot the day would be, Brazen also scheduled and set up for an extra early start, a full hour before the regular half marathon start. Both early starts were used by a good number of runners, and not just by half marathoners. Those who used the early starts were/are not eligible for age group medals.
Brazen aid stations normally feature lots of refuel snacks and liquids. For this race Brazen added frozen Otter Pops and buckets of ice water with sponges for dumping on runners’ whatever (trust me, it feels amazing on a hot day!). Pre-race announcements mentioned that all aid stations had been given a lot of extra water (and Brazen aid stations never run out, normally!). Aid stations also had walkie-talkies to be able to notify the race director of runners in distress so a vehicle could be sent to bring them to the start/finish area and EMT assistance.
Brazen’s finish area recovery food is pretty amazing, including the perennial favorite, It’s It ice cream sandwiches, in multiple ice cream flavors. When one enters the finish “chute” runners’ names are called out, the timing mats are crossed, a volunteer(s) takes pictures, another hands the runner their medal, and somebody gives a bottle of ice cold water or directs runners to the tubs (I was so exhausted and hot, I don’t remember which). And then it’s like entering RecoveryLand – food, water, electrolyte drink, and sodas, lots of picnic tables (many in the shade. Because of the heat there were several EMTs cruising among the recovering runners, giving out chill packs and checking how people are doing.
Swag & Goodies:
Bib: Brazen color-codes its bibs according to distance. There was a wide stripe at the top and a more narrow stripe at the bottom: orange for the half marathon; blue for the 10K; yellow for the 5K. In the upper colored stripe are the race name, distance, location, date, and a Rat Fink inspired hog dressed in colonial formal attire, bib # 2017, and with sweat pouring off him (ironically accurate!). In a broad white stripe in the center are the runner’s name and bib number. In the lower colored stripe are the organizer’s logo and a couple of hashtags.
T-Shirt: Brazen gives 5K and 10K runners poly-cotton race T-shirts with their registration fee, and half marathon runners receive a tech type T-shirt. 5K and 10K runners can upgrade to a tech Tee for $7 (in 2017); I did this. The tech type Tee is light blue. On the front are the race name, ”MOUNT HAM” (the race is run near Mt. Hamilton), and the sweating Hog Fink politician. On the back is the Hog Fink politician delivering a speech with a star background, and below the race name, distances, location, date, and sponsors’ logos.
Finisher’s Medal: The finisher’s medal has the speechifying Hog Fink, arm raised and index finger pointed. His podium is a box with the race name and information. The ribbon is brownish orange, with the race name in large Green letters, and the race name in black letters.
My Results & Opinion of the Race: I’ve seen the Facebook chatter of a number of people who did the half marathon distance, experienced ultra-marathon runners. Trail Hog 2017 was tough! The Trail Hog half marathon of itself is reasonably challenging, but what made the 2017 running really tough was the record-breaking heat. Brazen Racing did what they had to do and could do to inform runners and be prepared. Trail races are typically “Rain or shine,” with runners being responsible to know and act within their capabilities. More than a few did so by downgrading from half to 10K or 10K to 5K.
Speaking personally, 2017 Trail Hog was the toughest 5K I’ve ever done, and possibly the toughest race I’ve completed. While my endurance at this time was part of that, the heat was the biggest reason. I do not blame or complain against Brazen or Trail Hog, heat is a known possibility of trail races in summer.
2017 Trail Hog was also kind of weird. Along side the heat, the course is really beautiful. It’s set in the foothills east and above San Jose, with lots of dry grasses on rolling hills dotted with clumps of oak and other trees. The views definitely reward the work, and as far as I know, Trail Hog is the only trail race that is run in Joseph D. Grant Park.
Would I do it again? Well, the chances I’ll be running or volunteering in a Brazen Race again sometime this year are pretty high. They’re my favorite among the several excellent race organizers in the SF Bay Area. This was my second time running in Trail Hog, and last year I volunteered, so I will always consider doing Trail Hog as late summer comes around.
Gettin' Piggy with it...
This was my very first Brazen race in 2011. This year I did this race for my 4th time. I love this race. It's out at Mount Hamilton (however you … MORE
This was my very first Brazen race in 2011. This year I did this race for my 4th time. I love this race. It’s out at Mount Hamilton (however you don’t go up to the top). Mount Hamilton is the highest mountain in the bay area. The half marathon has about 1,700 feet of elevation gain, and there really isn’t any long climbs, just a lot (about 5 or so) nice climbs. A lot of people wear things to this race themed after pigs or hogs. This race is part of the Ultra Half Series, with Brazen, and I highly recommend it. Pay attention to how to get there, and don’t take Quimby road. It’s super winding (I always get confused when typing that word. I want to type “windy”). 🙂 Anyway, come out and get piggy with it. I’ll be there for sure.
Very enjoyable
First time running the Trail Hog half marathon, although I had ridden my bike at the park quite often about 20 years ago. The race takes place at Joseph D. … MORE
First time running the Trail Hog half marathon, although I had ridden my bike at the park quite often about 20 years ago. The race takes place at Joseph D. Grant Ranch Park in the San Jose foothills. The race starts at about 1400 ft in elevation. The total distance for the half is 13.4 miles with an elevation gain around 2000 ft. The course isn’t too difficult. The course is mostly on rolling fire roads with some single track. The course was extremely dusty and there is a possibility of seeing wild boar, hence the name Trail Hog. Aid station are 2 – 3 miles apart and are stocked with the usual water, sports drink, Coke, fruit, salty and sweet snacks. The morning of the race is was pretty foggy and cold. My hands didn’t warm up until mile 4. After that, the temp was very comfortable. I had an excellent race and finished in 2:46:12. I was pleasantly surprised with my time. Brazen Racing had the usual awesome medal. Half marathon runners received a gender specific tech tee, while the 5k/10k runner received a cotton shirt. Post race food included sweet and salty snacks, bagels, pastries, chips, pretzels, and the yummy It’s It. Plenty of parking, too. Great race! Great production.
Awesome Trail - with a soft surface
This is one of the "easier" Ultra series races, but don't be fooled. Its still tough. It gets dusty and when the sun peaks its head out from behind the … MORE
This is one of the “easier” Ultra series races, but don’t be fooled. Its still tough. It gets dusty and when the sun peaks its head out from behind the overcast, it can get hot. But Brazen Racing is a top notch organization, which spoils you with limitless food and shwag!
Great race on Mt. Hamilton
This was my first trail race, and boy what a trail. A lot of uphill, for a first timer, it was a little intimidating. I remember saying at the end … MORE
This was my first trail race, and boy what a trail. A lot of uphill, for a first timer, it was a little intimidating. I remember saying at the end that I wouldn’t run a trail race again. I might…we’ll see. The terrain is beautiful and everyone there is having a great time. I didn’t see any trail hogs though. Darn it. The Brazen team does a nice job and I loved the It’s-It’s ice cream sandwiches at the end.
This is a great race !
My daughter and I chose this as our annual birthday run. As usual Brazen didn't disappoint and the race was well run and snacks were amazing. MORE
My daughter and I chose this as our annual birthday run. As usual Brazen didn’t disappoint and the race was well run and snacks were amazing.
Wow, Those is some hills
Once you break out of the pack and pass the first 3 uphill miles the scenery is gorgeous. Beautiful rolling hills and mountain peaks. Then you run across them and … MORE
Once you break out of the pack and pass the first 3 uphill miles the scenery is gorgeous. Beautiful rolling hills and mountain peaks. Then you run across them and up & down them.
If you like hills!!
This was a very difficult trail run but I had a great time running it!! The tshirt and medal were awesome!! Will do this run again this year going to … MORE
This was a very difficult trail run but I had a great time running it!! The tshirt and medal were awesome!! Will do this run again this year going to try to beat my time from last year!!
Love Brazen!
We have come to love Brazen! We ran our first race at the Goonies and have kept coming back all year. Well run, smaller event. Beautiful as always and awesome … MORE
We have come to love Brazen! We ran our first race at the Goonies and have kept coming back all year. Well run, smaller event. Beautiful as always and awesome medals and shirts!
Trail Hog 2015
This race was my first Brazen race and my first trail race, in 2011. I have been hooked ever since. I love this course. Lots of nice runable hills, and … MORE
This race was my first Brazen race and my first trail race, in 2011. I have been hooked ever since. I love this course. Lots of nice runable hills, and some challenging ones on single track. Total elevation gain on the half marathon is just under 1,800 feet. This year the weather was a little cooler than last year and was actual cold in the morning before the sun came up, just prior to the race. There is a lot of exposed area, so the sun can be a factor at this race. Free parking. Great swag as always! Definitely will not miss this race.
Hot, not flat but a great little race
I ran this race with my 5 year old son, it was his first trail race but not his first 5k. We chose it mainly because of it being a … MORE
I ran this race with my 5 year old son, it was his first trail race but not his first 5k. We chose it mainly because of it being a Brazen race – they give ENORMOUS medals, which appealed enormously to my little boy.
Organisationally, Brazen are faultless. Easy packet pick up, clearly marked route, amazing buffet at the end (including ice-cream) and the aforementioned giant medals. Any Brazen race will be a joy to participate in.
Ref THIS race…it’s not flat, there are some notable hills and it’s also officially a long course, at about 3.4 miles so put away your PR hopes. The trails are wide and dusty fire-road style. The park isn’t spectacular but it is pretty and a pleasure to run around. If you want to test your speed on hills, this would be a great race. If you just want to pootle round with a kindergartener, this is also a great race! Thoroughly recommended.
Hog Wild Fun
Yes, there really are wild pigs sighted! This race was tough for me because I suffered from blisters, and it was kind of dusty too. Other than that, I really … MORE
Yes, there really are wild pigs sighted! This race was tough for me because I suffered from blisters, and it was kind of dusty too. Other than that, I really did enjoy this race. It is not the toughest race I’ve done with Brazen, but it was a nice challenge for me. Great volunteers (as usual), great food, great swag and although the weather is hot that time of year, there are some shady areas out on the course. This is a must do, at least once!!!