Hot Chocolate Atlanta

Hot Chocolate Atlanta

Hot Chocolate Atlanta

( 38 reviews )
97% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Atlanta,
    Georgia,
    United States
  • January
  • 3 miles/5K, 9 miles/15K, Virtual Race
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Kim Prytherch

Lancaster, South Carolina, United States
38 54
2018
"Mother Nature Crashed this Race!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Kim Prytherch's thoughts:

A couple disclaimers first!
I ran this race as a BibRave pro, I was given free registration. As always, all opinions are my own!
The weather sucked. It was in no way dangerous, but it was miserable and it definitely changed my enjoyment of the race. It was also in no way the fault of the race company!
So let's get started!
The Expo was within walking distance of our hotel which is nice, so I can't say anything about parking. I do know that parking was available right across the street, from a previous race in Atlanta. They had an amazing system for bib pickup which I always marvel over. You stand on any line, if there even is one (there wasn't when we arrived). They scan the QR code from your email, a label prints out, and they slap it on a bib. Done! You go to the swag table next for your cozy fleece jacket.
They had lots of vendors and we had fun testing out Kind Bars and visiting the sweet station with samples from race day.
Race morning it was pouring. Legit pouring and at times it felt icy and painful. I didn't pack well and my clothes were not warm enough, no poncho, because before we left the forecast said light rain and 10 degrees warmer. Shame on me!
The race had warnings on their website and were super fast to reply on their Facebook page about the conditions. Again, not dangerous, just miserable, so the race must go on.
They were offering the option of running the 5k and still getting your 15k medal. Hmmmm.... already considering this before we even left the hotel.
The race company had music going, and dancing, and they were doing their best to keep everyone motivated.
Corrals were easy to find, and they checked our bibs as we entered to be sure we were properly placed. The anthem was sung and we heard from Taylor, who benefited from Make a Wish. They kept everyone motivated and made sure we knew that mile 1.7 was decision time.
Did I mention the rain and cold? Ugh.
I cannot comment on the scenery because I spent the whole time looking down. Lots of puddles y'all, and I didn't want to step in one!
The aid station we passed was well manned, and on My side they had little cups of chocolate chips! Yum! I heard that there were marshmallows as well but i wasn't really looking for them and didn't see them.
All of the streets were well marked and well manned and I always felt super safe. Atlanta is hilly, and there was one big one at the beginning and end of the 5k. It can't be avoided in a city that hilly!
At the finish line we were given our medal if we had a 15k bib, a bottled water, Nuun samples, and they had cups of water as well. Straight ahead was the tent with the giant treat mugs. The only thing missing was a Mylar blanket at the finish. It would have been so welcomed!
The merch tent was open and plenty of room was available to huddle for warmth. I was waiting on my bestie to finish her speedy 15k there, and it was nice and dry, but just a little foggy! It was so kind of them to let us huddle there!
My favorite part of the race was the free pics. Mine weren't super amazing but a photographer did catch a funny moment in the corral. There were plenty of them out on the course too, and they were all super nice!

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