As you see, I have reviewed this race a lot. It's my favorite Iowa, January Race.

Saturday January 23, 2016. Amana, IA. Race Start 10 am. Sunny 30 degrees.

Registration: This was available online, but had a cut off time a week before the race. You could also send in a form via mail. Before race day the cost was $20. Race day registration was available for $25. Proceeds went to support the area trails. Included with registration bib, timing chip, choice of shirt or 'meat bag' and post race Millstream Brewing beverage.

No Expo. Packet pickup was at a warehouse building. If you were preregistered you could check a sheet for your bib number. You also got your timing chip here. There were indoor bathrooms available here and at the nearby Visitor's Center. Plenty of parking in nearby lots.

Race/Course: This was an out and back course, with a loop through the neighboring 'town'. All on paved surfaces. Mile markers for mile 1 and 2. No hydration stops. Some spectators near the start/finish. A photographer was out and about. Flat, one small climb around mile 1.5. Not much to look at unless you like Iowa farmland.

Finish/Post Race: The timing mats and clock marked the finishing line. A volunteer removed the chip from your shoe. The post race festivities were in the warehouse where packet pick up happened. There was clementines, apples, bananas, cookies, meatballs, fig newtons, bagels, hot chocolate and bottled water. Awards were handed out and raffles were given away. A short walk to nearby brewery and you could claim your drink ticket

Overall: I always run try to run this race. I like to get something other than a t-shirt, the meat swag is always nice, the price is right and so many friends are running too.

For the more personal story and all the photos, check https://marathang.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/januarys-hidden-gem-amana-freezer-5k/

A Better World Running, New Years Eve Race, Half Marathon. Thursday, December 31, 2015. Santa Monica, CA. Sunny 50 degrees.

This race was a laid back event, offering a way to end the year with a run. Participants could choose from a 5k/10k/15k or half marathon. *after searching results, I see 2 people ran a marathon.

Registration: This was available online, or you could pay on race day for only $5 more. Included with registration was a bib and a finisher’s medal. The half marathon was $40 on race day.

Pre-race: Registration and packet pick up (checking in and getting a bib) were happening. Participants could stash bags behind the sign in table. Parking in a nearby beach parking lot. The beach bathrooms were open to use. There were some announcements about the course, it was an out and back and depending on the distance you were running you may have to run 3 loops. No National Anthem, and someone said “go”

Race/Course: Out and back on a paved path along the beach in Santa Monica, passing the pier.

-Flat -no hills
-no mile markers, but course turnaround, finish/start marked with chalk and orange cones
-Hydration – water and lemon-lime Gatorade at the finish/start area. In the same paper cups.
-Gels – while it lasted, available at the finish/start area
-Photographer – lots of photos posted to the facebook page for free
-Bathrooms – the beach bath houses were open on the course
-No volunteers on course
-The scenery doesn’t get any better than running along the beach, looking at the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other
-No spectators – just the people walking the path, or other runners
-no medical tent or aid

Finish/Post Race: There was a small finish flag, and someone shouted your bib number to someone that recorded your time. There were bottles of water, small snacks, candy, and a blue re-usable bag to put things in. There was plenty of things to go around, and encouraged taking multiples.

Overall: Laid back race, but well organized. Flat with great scenery.

Check out my blog for more photos https://marathang.wordpress.com/2016/01/04/a-better-world-running-nye-13-1-review/

Thursday, November 26, 2015. Rainy, 45-50 degrees cloudy. Iowa City, IA. 8 am.

This race is approximately 4 miles on trail, in Hickory Hill park. About a week before the race we had almost 9 inches of snow, it had melted before the race due to the one plus inch of rain we had received.

Pre Race / Packet Pick up: Parking was available at Regina high school, but first come, first serve. Registration was accessible online, by submitting a form, or registering at packet pickup. Race day pickup without a shirt was $25. Packet pick up was held in the cafeteria, organized by last name. Long sleeve cotton t-shirt (if registered early), bibs and chips were included with entry. Bathrooms available in the school.

Race & Course: Race starts on the track at Regina High School. There were no announcements, due to the fact the race was delayed for 15 minutes for lightning. After that, the race was off, a 300 yard trip around the track, and off into the Hickory Hill Park woods.

-The terrain was tough, wash out, tree roots, steep inclines, LOTS OF MUD, trail!
-No water stops
-no mile markers.
-Course marked with small yellow flags.
-Difficult to pass.
-Did not see the short cut this year
-Hills, ravines, not flat

Finish: was back on the track, after another partial loop, was marked with a clock and blue timing mat. The finish was crowded and a little close to the runners coming into the track, had to be careful and stay out of their way.

Chips were removed by the runners in the school. The volunteer didn't want to get their hands dirty?!?!

Post Race: Lots of baked goods available in the cafeteria; bars, cookies, breads, etc. There was blue electrolyte drink and water. The age group winners were awarded pie. Results were laid out on a cafeteria table top.

Overall: This is my area's Turkey trot, why it's not your average "get the family out, and get moving" activity. This race will make you earn your Thanksgiving pie. I will always try to run this race if it fits into my schedule.

If you want to see more photos and how fast I ran this, check out my blog post http://wp.me/p3CgRX-1gZ

Sunday November 1, 2015. Scott Co Park, Long Grove, IA (Park View) 1pm. Sunny 65 degrees.(probably the best weather ever for this race)

I enjoy this race and always try to run it, if it fits in my schedule. This year is my 5th time participating. I have recapped it the last 2 years, nothing much changes, but it’s always a great time. This year I was running with Laura.

Registration: This is available in a few different ways. You can pre-register online, send in a form, or register on race day. The fee is never steep, and they have an option to not purchase a shirt. On race day I paid $17 without the shirt. If you wanted a long sleeve unisex cotton shirt it was an additional $15. Included was a bib, post race drinks, and admittance to run through the park trails. (not sure if there is a fee for this)

Pre Race: There is no expo or packet pick up event. You can register on race day and get your packet an hour or so before the race. Also available for only $4 were past years race shirts. There is plenty of free parking near the shelter where the race starts. Once that lot fills, there are other lots with shuttles provided. The park bathrooms are closed for the season, but there were 6 port-o-potties brought in.

There was music playing on a speaker, and with about 10 minutes before the race start, participants were encouraged to gather at the start. No need for pace lineups, unless you were a super speedy trail runner, you could get to the front easily.

One change from last year, there were no shortcuts on the race this year. The National Anthem was sung live, and a gun started the race.

Race/Course: The course is advertised as a European Cross Country Trail race. Well if you have no clue what this is, you should do your research, or you will be pleasantly surprised. While the course is in the park, it is truly through the park, on all trail surfaces.

There were also 2 races, a 2 mile and a 4+ mile race. The removal of shortcuts had me worried. A short cut is usually a shorter route on the course, but more difficult like crossing a creek. Since there were none, all racers had one course. It had also been rainy the week leading up to the race

-all trail – some marked trail, some single track, some flagged routes through the woods, prairie trail
-creek crossings – you find your way across, through the creek, climb a log, go off course
-MUD – slippery, squishy and dirty
-Hilly
-leaf covered – keep eyes out for twigs, roots, rocks, mud
-some spectators on marked trail
-some photographers
-different colored flags (blue or red) marked each course
-2 water stops, in paper cups. no food on course
-some hay jump obstacles, and a culvert; otherwise all “obstacles” w ere made by nature
-Mile markers by orange flags
-Prizes on course – there were ribbon/flags hanging on tree limbs with numbers, you could grab these to redeem at the finish for a prize. They were different colors, which represented different prizes. There were also items in the woods that didn’t belong, if you returned them at the finish you also got a prize.

I think the course is why I love this so much, it just makes you feel badass for climbing through the woods, splashing through creeks and slipping through the mud. Maybe I am just a trail runner at heart.

Laura and I ran the 4+ mile route. In all the years I have done this, it has always been near 6 miles. This year it was 6.2 ish miles long.

With this being said, I was ready to slap a woman just about a a quarter mile in, at the first water crossing. She was like, “we all have to go through that?” I rolled my eyes, and jumped into the water, leaving her behind, who knows if she finished the race.

Also there was another part I was frustrated with. This is not an easy course, and running trail is slower than running pavement. (DUH!) However we were behind a guy running with a kid (his kid?) He kept nagging on the kid to keep up, and saying he was holding him back, he could run 5 miles faster than this. There was also a point where Laura and I helped others out of a creek at a steep bank, this guy stood by and watched, even as we helped the kid up. UGH!

Finish/Post Race: The end of the race was at the shelter, where it started, and there was a finishing chute with a clock. It had you go into the shelter as part of the finish. This is where there was water, ice cups, soda in cans, draft beer, and cold cider. There was hot food available for purchase, but no post race food for free.

Awards were held, but before everyone finished. There were overall male and female winners. An award for being injured, a hedge ball award, and an award for muddiest. Then the big prizes found on the trail were turned in: a sled, a bed pan and a skeleton with a Cubs shirt.

Laura and I hung around for the awards and redeemed our ribbons we found on the course. I was able to snag a pair of Nike winter running gloves and Laura got a short sleeve tech shirt. I enjoyed a beer, it was cold, but we were both starving. This race being at 1pm, and about an hour drive made eating lunch a problem. So we left the park and hit up a local bar and grill for a post race meal. We also left the race without major injury, Laura got stuck with a thorn, and left her with a splinter.

Overall: You can’t beat a race with a fun challenge for a great price. Ok so the course is tough, but I always have a great time.

Check out my blog for lots of great photos: https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/governors-run-2015-review/

The Hot Chocolate 5k and 15k was held in downtown Chicago, on Sunday, November 8, 2015. 7:00 am. Cool, 40 degrees, sunny.

Registration: This was available online. It started at $54 and increased to $79 until registration closes. The race is capped, so you might not have been able to register at packet pick up. Included with registration, bib with your name, zip up gender specific sweatshirt (embroidered if registered early), bib chip timing, drawstring bag, post race chocolate goodies, finisher's medal. If you registered with a promo code you would have received a multi functional head wrap. There was also a 5k and a separate walk, at different costs.

A few days before the event there were only 225 spots left, and when we made the packet pickup on Saturday, it was sold out, but you could register for a charity spot.

Packet Pick-up / Expo: There were multiple opportunities to pick up your packet. Starting Thrusday at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker and going through Saturday. If you were unable to make these dates you could have arranged to have your stuff mailed to you, but had to do so before a certain date at there was a fee. There was no race day packet pick up.

The expo had a lot going on. It was in the lower level of the Hyatt Regency. When you entered a volunteer was handing out chocolates, and directed you to pick up your bib. There were many bib stations, volunteers waving pom poms when their station was open. You could show an ID or your confirmation email, and you were given a bib only. From here to claim the remainder of your "goodie bag" (sweatshirt) you had to walk to the opposite end of the hall. The goodie bags were divided between men and woman, and embroidered and non embroidered (had to look at bib to see what to pick up.) The sweatshirt was in a plastic bag, and you were encouraged to go to the "try on" station before opening that bag, if you needed to make an exchange. Available if that size was available.

There were many areas to the expo. You had the Hot Chocolate organized events: bibs, goodie bag, registration information and the food. This race only had marshmallows with chocolate on them and hot chocolate. This area didn't seem to crammed.
Then there was the traditional expo happening, and this area seemed cramped. The sweatshirt exchange was in this area too. You could visit vendors, get samples, take photos, spin the wheel and sign up for other races. There was also a large area to buy Hot Chocolate branded merchandise.

The location of the expo could have been tricky to get to. There was construction on one surrounding street. I am not certain if there was parking at the hotel, it was a very congested area, both inside and out. This is also my second hot chocolate event, so I felt that there were food options missing. Also I was with my friend T, she had signed up for the promo multi-functional head wrap, she was never given it when she got her bib or goodie bag, no mention of it. Luckily she remembered to ask about it at the information table, and the way she asked and the fact I was standing next to her in my Bibrave shirt, I was given one too.

Pre Race: This event is held in downtown Chicago, you should plan ahead for a parking plan. There are ramps in the area, but traffic can be a pain, but you could take public transportation. There were many port-o-potties available near the starting area. Gear check was available, using clear bags provided. Participants were seeded to start the run in 2 waves and multiple corrals, up to letter W. The first wave started at 7:00, and the second wave was to start at 7:45. To gain entrance to the corrals and gear check, runners had to cross the corral area. At each gated entrance there were volunteers checking bibs. Corrals closed at certain times

There were many pre race announcements and loud music. There were monitors set up displaying video. The National Anthem was performed live and the race was underway, one corral at a time, with a few minutes in between.

The entrance system into the corrals was congested. By having to cross the area of the corrals to get to the backside, it just made for some weird logistics. I also observed many scaling the fence on the closed side of the corral to gain entry, this fence scaling was not monitored and I saw a corral J bib in my corral C. Also there are a lot of participants, so those in the later corrals were on their feet a long time before they were able to start.

Race/Course: The course was on the paved streets of Chicago.

pavement/asphalt - lots of man hole covers, uneven spots, patched spots
first mile or so on lower wacker, run through McCormick tunnel, between tall buildings - not fun for the GPS
photographers - but only near the finish
All miles marked, a clock was at each
Water and "Gatorade" on the course. In paper cups, there were 2 different style cups, however each stop was different, just needed to pay attention to what it was. "Gatorade" was usually first
Chocolate on course - first stop was chocolate chips, then a strawberry marshmallow, then m& m's, then a chocolate marshmallow. (hope I didn't forget one) However, I missed the marking that chocolate chips were ahead, and missed the stop as I wasn't prepared to stop.
Very few spectators - especially for an event with tens of thousands of runners
Flat - some minor inclines, but nothing major
Scenery - some nice parts, some boring parts, mostly city type landscape, no running near the lake.
Course markings - I never saw any spray painted marks or arrows, or a volunteer telling me left or right, but there were orange cones. At one point with a small out and back, you could have cut the course.
Volunteers - All intersections were marked with a volunteer. The aid stations had very energetic groups helping (it looked like they got swag too)
Bathrooms - I noticed none on the course
Timing mats for splits
I totally read the map wrong, I was excited that it was not running near McCormick, boy was I pissed when I got close to the tunnel. I get that it's the easiest way to get from point A to B, but how does this continue to be the most dangerous thing??? There is even a sign for cars to turn on their lights, It's dark and there and potholes galore! Easy to turn and ankle or trip and fall, especially when the light is blinding you as you exit. So, add some freakin lights and fix the holes, if races must use this. If I never run it again, it will be too soon! Otherwise the course was fine, could have had some better markings with chocolate stations, and course markings ( I just followed the crowd) I only drank the water on course, notes about the "gatorade" later.

Post Race: The finish was easy to find, there was an arch and timing mats, as well as lots of photographers. Once you crossed the line, a medal was handed to you, and you could grab a bottle of water. The finishing chute was long, and we continued to walk, and passed the Sport drink flag, and were offered yellow colored "Gatorade" After you passed this point, you could claim your gear check items, but you still weren't at the post race party at Butler Field.

The post race finisher's party was at Butler Field. There was music, t-shirts, sign up for "X" promos & free samples. This is also where you claimed your finisher's mug all the way at the back. There is no tables, seats, or shade in this feild. There was sign near the finisher mug pick up to not stand or sit in the area. With a lot of finishers' the area was crowded.

The finisher's mug is a plastic divided cup item. In the center there is hot chocolate, then surrounding it, there is a banana, marshmallow, Rice Krispie treat, pretzels, fancy chocolate roll treat, and chocolate fondue.

Runners could reunite with their friends and family members in this area too. There were letters stationed so you could pick a spot.

Oh Butler Field, such a nice wide open space to hold post race events, but it seems like you have to walk 56 miles after the race to get here. Also maybe some picnic tables or an area to sit, or step aside would be great. Many rave about the finisher's mug, while it's a unique item to receive, I am usually on chocolate overload at this point. Also it's hard to hold the water bottle and this mug and have no where to be/sit, to eat the items. However it's nice some items are wrapped and I can eat them later. Also the free samples and such had lines, people are rude and don't wait in the lines, and would rather budge.

Ok, I also think I noted this in my Hot Chocolate St. Louis review, I really don't think the "Gatorade" on the course is Gatorade, it taste's like lemonade because it is super sweet, and doesn't have that electrolyte after taste. I know I can't be the only one.

Overall: I don't mind Hot Chocolate races, they are not a race designed to set a PR, or run a serious race, but rather a fun time. It's nice to get a sweatshirt, medal and chocolate as something different. However they can be crowded. If you want to have fun with friends, these events are perfect for that.

Check out all the photos on my blog...http://wp.me/p3CgRX-1f8