Hundreds of Runners to Take Over Lake Chabot This Weekend

Brazen Racing is hosting its third annual Lake Chabot races on the mornings of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

This year's race is a first of many. It is the first two-day marathon the company is holding around New Year's. It includes the half marathons, 5K and 10K races.

Race director Sam Fiandaca said for the past two years, the race was held on Jan. 2 because it was part of the weekend. However, this year that date falls on a Monday.

After asking followers on the Brazen Racing Facebook page which day they prefered, Fiandaca said it was a split among both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

"Especially since it's New Year's, people want to start the year off with an accomplishment," Fiandanca said.

Start times are 8:30 a.m. for the half marathon, 8:55 a.m. for the 10K and 9:05 a.m. for the 5K for both days.

Both the 5K and 10K New Year's Eve races are already sold out with around 850 runners expected to participate. Eight spots are left for the half marathon. For those who wish to sign up the day of the race, the registration fee for the half marathon is $60.

Around 750 people have already signed up for the 5K and 10K New Year's Day races, with 150 spots left for runners registering at the last minute. To see a list of registration fees for the different New Year's Day races, click here.

With close to 1,600 runners between both days, Fiandaca said it is a largest race event Brazen Racing has ever hosted.

"Our goal is to get as many people out, enjoying the parks," Fiandaca said. "Usually they don't have a reason to go there so they don't know what's there. [The races] open your eyes to something new."

He said a majority of runners are from the Bay Area. However, there are participants who are flying in from different corners of the country and even overseas.

"We have people from Peru, Denmark, Hawaii and other parts of the world running in this race," Fiandaca said.

Aside from enjoying a great workout and the self-satisfaction of completing the race, all participants will also receive custom finisher medals and t-shirts.

For those daring enough to run in the half marathons for both days, they will receive a "Double Finisher" medal, making it possible to link medals from both races to form a "Mega-Medal."

The top male and female winners of the half marathon race can expect a free pair of shoes. Overall male and female winners of the 10K and 5K races will receive gift certificates. Both are provided by Fleet Feet of Pleasant Hill, one of the race's sponsors.

The top three runners among the 18 age group categories can also receive an additional medal.

"We've had kids as small as 5 walk it with their parents," Fiandaca said. He added participants of all ages are welcome. He said you don't even have to be a runner to be part of the race as many people walk or jog the paths.

For more information on the Brazen New Year's Eve races, click here.

For more information on the Brazen New Year's Day races, click here.