Brookline Breeze Hits 3-0

Runners and walkers have the opportunity to take part in one of the oldest continuous races in the Pittsburgh area Saturday with the 30th running of the Brookline Breeze.

The main race, which increased from three miles to the more standard 5K (3.1 mile) distance begins at 9 a.m. at .

The course takes runners up Brookline Boulevard, onto Pioneer Avenue, then onto West Liberty Avenue in Dormont.

Clint Burton, the race director, said about 300 people have registered and he’s hoping for between 600 and 700, which would be an increase from recent years.

Online registration is closed, but people can register in person at the rec center and before the race Saturday. T-shirts are only guaranteed for pre-registrants.

Though Burton said the Breeze has been seeing a resurgence in popularity recently, the numbers are still lower than in the early 1980s, when running was enjoying a boom.

Mike Radley, director of Citiparks, has been involved with the Breeze since its start and has run nearly every one.

In the early years of the Breeze, he said, there weren’t as many road races as now—nor were there activities such as triathlons, yoga or Zumba—to attract the health-conscious.

Still, he said, “It’s been a a very good event for Brookline. They have been instrumental in keeping this great tradition alive."

Besides the 5K race and a one mile “mini-breeze” geared toward kids, a one mile “doggie dash” is being offered. Dogs will get a bandana.

The mini breeze starts at 8:30 a.m. , the doggie dash at 8:35 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m. 

Costs are: 5K run, $15; 5K walk, $12; mini breeze, $9 additional dog - $7; wheelchair race, $15.

The band Yinzide Out will perform and after the awards presentation, more than $1,000 in prizes will be raffled, including a Steelers football, game tickets and restaurant coupons.

Proceeds benefit the Brookline Area Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Brookline area recreation programs, and Brookline Regional Catholic.

A free community festival will coincide with the race along the boulevard and go on throughout the days. It will feature merchants, food vendors, two moon bounces, a dunk tank, inflatable slide and balloon artists.

From 5 p.m. to dusk Friday, the rec center is also hosting a "car cruise."

Pictures and information about past Brookline Breeze races can be found here: http://www.brooklineconnection.com/history/Breeze/Breeze.html