About

run. laugh. celebrate.

Imagine a powerful sea of women on the move–encouraging fellow runners, creating unforgettable moments, and celebrating personal running triumphs. Picture an inspiring weekend filled with “mocktail” parties, yoga sessions, expos and celebrations in an unforgettable resort location. This is the Muscle Milk Light ZOOMA Women’s Race Series.

Mission: To inspire women to live healthy, happy & active lives.
Boutique events in awe-inspiring destinations with a “fit girls’ weekend” schedule of activities
Inaugural event held in Annapolis, MD on June 1, 2008 attracted over 1,600 runners
2013 events to be held in Amelia Island, FL; Austin, TX; Annapolis, MD; the Chicago area & Cape Cod (Falmouth), MA

“Run by Women”

ZOOMA is unique among other women’s races in that it is literally “run by women” (pun intended!) ZOOMA’s founder and executive director is a woman, mother, and runner, and the staff are all women. A panel of national running bloggers serve as advisors to help us in our primary goal–to execute events that cater to the real needs and wants of actual women runners. Have an idea? We want to hear it. Email us at info at zoomarun.com.

Brae Blackley, Founder and Executive Director of ZOOMA Women’s Race Series left a career in corporate law to follow her dream for a national women’s event series that empowers women to live active, healthy, and happy. Brae founded ZOOMA in July 2007 working at a makeshift desk in a coffee shop. Now, ZOOMA is a growing national series of women’s running events, with a booming following among active women and an exciting line up of events in cities across the U.S.

Healthy and active living has always been an important part of Brae’s life. Growing up in a coastal town in Florida, Brae spent summers swimming, water skiing, and playing volleyball on the beach. She ran on her high school cross country and track and field teams. Experiencing the impact of sports and fitness in her own life led to Brae’s passion for inspiring women to realize their full potential through active living.

In 2005, Brae and her husband, Seth, founded a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of the people in The Gambia, West Africa. Since its founding, Friends of Penyem, the organization founded by Brae and Seth, has funded over 25 scholarships, built a village library, and funded a solar-powered water system to bring clean water to the village.

In addition to her non-profit work, Brae continues to run recreationally. She also enjoys traveling, cooking and scuba diving. Brae earned her J.D. from The George Washington Law School in Washington, DC and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband, Seth, and daughters Davis and Drew.

Brooke Reiley, Director of Operations, began her athletic career as a competitive dancer. She played volleyball and ran track (hurdles) in high school, and now chases her around her son on the beach. Growing up in north Florida, outdoor activity has always been an important part of Brooke’s everyday life. On the weekends (when she’s not at a ZOOMA event), she enjoys boating with her husband and son and listening to live music.

In various stages of Brooke’s working life, she has worked as a nanny to twin girls, and bridal store manager. She loves pepperoni pizza more than anyone we’ve ever known, and has been a strong and loyal ZOOMA supporter since its founding in 2007. Her most recent workout faves have included Pilates, Yoga and Running. Brooke lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Courtland, and son “little Courtland.”

Interested in joining our team? You can contact us here.

You can find out more about us by reading our blog series “Face Behind The Race”.

Core Values

To conduct social girls weekend fitness experiences in awe-inspiring destinations
To offer “boutique” running events that are distinguished by excellent customer service and upscale amenities
To execute highly organized and professional races that exceed participants’ and partners’ expectations
To encourage every woman to participate
To build a supportive online community that encourages women to maintain active lifestyle
To celebrate participants on and off the race course