Latest reviews by Lissa Nypaver

(2023)
"Turkey Trotting Around South Park"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Despite living in the area for 25 years, this is the first year I have ever run the largest Charlotte area Turkey Trot. The race caps at 10,000 and sold out this year, but don't let that scare you, it is crazy well organized.

First of all, you get not just 1 or 2 days to pick up your packet, but WEEKS! Packet pickups can be done well in advance at a variety of locations, which I will say, is awesome for the convenience, but does make it so that there is not really an Expo style pre-race event. I picked up my packet at one of the last pick up options which was at the park where the race was held. It was raining that day, but the pick up was covered and I walked right up to the table, gave my info and was issued my bib, given a post-race beer ticket and my shirt. The shirts were long sleeve cotton T-shirts, not my favorite race shirts, but still a nice shirt. I wore it after I was showered post-race, but will probably not keep long term.

There are 2 distances for the Charlotte Turkey Trot, the 8K and the 5K. I was registered for the 8K. The 8K started at 8:10 am and before the race, there were lots of tents set up and vendors with coffee. There were also LOADS of potties. The 8K had the fewer participants and was an hour earlier than the 5K, so when I arrived there was plenty of places to park (race was next to South Park Mall and all their decks were open since the mall was closed for Thanksgiving). I was able to walk around a bit, go to the potty and get into a corral with plenty of time. There were 2 corrals, one for walkers and one for runners. When the race started, they let the whole runner side go first, then the walker side. This was repeated for the 5K and hour later.

The course was a good one, fairly standardly hilly for a Charlotte race. While this was my first Turkey Trot, I had run another race at this location before so I knew what to expect. My only complaint was that there was no aid station on the 8K course until almost mile 4, and just the 1. Had I known, I would have carried water. The aid station seemed to be a bit past the halfway point for the 5K, which would have been fine, but for the 8K, it made for a long almost 4 miles. Also, right before the water station, was a Apple Pie Shots station, but I don't know if that was organized by the race, or just some kind souls who wanted to spread some cheer. I don't usually partake during a race, but this time, I did!

Overall, the race was fun, lots of people cheering and I had a blast. I was able to run the 8K and get back over to the start to cheer on some friends running the 5K. After, there were loads of vendors and lots of free beer opportunities. I would for sure recommend this race, and happily run it again.

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(2023)
"HC15K Charlotte - Awesome as Always!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The Hot Chocolate 15K Charlotte is always a favorite race of mine. The organization of the event is top notch. One of the most efficient Expos there is, plus you can get a ton of yummy chocolate when picking up your packet and swag. The sweatshirts, as always, are some of the best out there. I love this year's color and can you say zipper pockets!

The race starts and finishes in the heart of Uptown Charlotte with access to a ton of parking. There is even a light rail station within sight of the finish line. There are lots of aid stations, all with water, Gatorade and some kind of sweet treat (M&Ms, gummy bears, Swedish fish to name a few) located approx. every 2 miles throughout the course. The course is a challenge with several hilly areas, but hey, that is Charlotte for you. Uphill finishes are kind of the standard for every race. The race has free on course and finisher photography. I will for sure be back for year 7 next year, and may even run the new 10K distance.

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(2022)
"Conquering the GAP"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I have written extensively about this race on my blog here (link in my profile) so I will just try to do a quick breakdown here.

First off, highly recommend! This was an incredible relay experience. I took on this challenge with a team of 5, which, was obviously doable, however, just having a 6th would have been a world better. You can have up to 8. The GAP Trail itself is amazing and easily run by any skill level - it is in no way technical being primarily hard packed surface - trail shoes not necessary even. The scenery (what we saw as 11 of the 24 legs were in the dark) was absolutely beautiful. Just looking around makes the miles go by quickly.

The first half of the race (at least going from Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh as I hear they swap it every year) the first several legs were uphill - especially leg 3 which of course ended up being mine. You gain almost 800 ft over 7 miles, but this was by far the most. The 2nd half of the legs were mostly downhill or flat with the occasional incline over a bridge.

The exchange points were stocked with snacks and drinks sporadically, always something but you never quite knew what so I would consider them more as treats rather than course support. You are going to want to bring your own fuel and water for sure and just supplement with what is at the exchange points. Some had real food, others just candy, one, Ramcat (leg 11) was like a magical oasis with hot food and goodie bags.

Exchange points were a challenge to get to at times with being along a trail primarily through the woods with often very iffy cell coverage so make sure you have printed directions and a person who can read them well.

Race management communicated often before the race and everything you needed to know was provided well in advance. My only slight complaint was that there wasn't much of a finisher party (we got beer tickets and 50% off an appetizer at a near by restaurant) but to be honest, by the time we were finished, we were all pretty exhausted. Overall, I would say if you are even considering this race, go for it!

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(2022)
"Be the GOAT, at Home"
Overall
Race Management
SWAG
Virtual Support

I was unable to make it to Roanoke and was excited that the Blue Ridge Marathon races had a Virtual option. The race did have a minimum elevation requirement, which was a cool addition to most virtual races, which made sense since so much of the Blue Ridge race in person is conquering the mountain. I must admit, it was a bit difficult to find the required elevation here in SC, but I managed to find a trail with a good amount of climb. I had fun documenting my race day and ran it "with" a few others virtually to make it more fun. I received a really cool medal and a nice tech shirt after the Virtual race wrapped up (you could run it anytime in the month of April).

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(2022)
"Great to Be Back UPtown"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

It was great to be back to a live Hot Chocolate 15K this year. My crew and I gathered early, half of us running the 5K which starts 30 minutes before the 15K for some reason, and took some pics and hung out a bit before the start. Everything is really really well organized and the race is held at First Ward Park in Charlotte which is surrounded by easy and affordable parking. You can even ride the train in, which many of my friends did.

The course is a bit of a beast, but hey, that is Charlotte racing for you. There's a reason we have an UPtown instead of a downtown. It's hilly, and there is an uphill finish guaranteed for pretty much every race. The last quarter mile can get you if you don't leave something in the tank.

My only negative comment on this year's race, which was unusual for this year, was that I think maybe an aid station got skipped as the first one wasn't until close to the halfway point of the race. Having to go 4.5 miles without water after a long start had me suffering a little, especially in the 3rd mile. There were 3 total aid stations and the other 2 were spaced fairly closely after, so it really did seem like there should have been one more around mile 2 - 2.5. I heard many runners, including the pacers, comment on the lack of early water. If you worry about that kind of thing, you might want to carry your own water. The aid stations that they did have had water, Nuun and some kind of candy - gummy bears, M&Ms and marshmallows in that order. I did grab a cup of gummy bears, dumped them into my pocket and spent the rest of the race sucking on two at a time for a much needed sugar boost.

As always the finish line experience is AMAZING at Hot Chocolate races. The announcer calls everyone's name, lots of kind volunteers hand out medals and bottles of water, and the main event is just up the road, the Hot Chocolate Goodie bowls. So GOOD. And the jackets are always amazing. I think this year's was my favorite. But I do kinda say that every year. PLUS, free finisher photos that arrived in my email before I even got home! Overall, the race, as usual, was awesome. This was my 5th year, so I also got a really cool Silver 5 Year Legacy Mug and Hot Chocolate Bomb. It will for sure not be my last year, not by far. Despite the hills, you know I will be back in 2023!

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