Hot Chocolate Chicago

Hot Chocolate Chicago

Hot Chocolate Chicago

( 64 reviews )
81% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Chicago,
    Illinois,
    United States
  • November
  • 3 miles/5K, 9 miles/15K, Virtual Race
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Cass

Chicago, Illinois, United States
72 31
2015
"Sweet, fun race"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Cass 's thoughts:

If you are looking to add this to your personal racing calendar as a course to PR, this isn't the race for you. If you are looking for a fun, themed race to run with friends - this would be that sort of race. In my opinion, this is the perfect race to convince your friends who "don't think they could ever do a 5k/15k" to do. It's a huge race - 40,000 runners (as big as the Chicago Marathon) - but the runners in this race's target market tend to not take themselves too seriously.

That said, for the 15k course, it spreads out a lot once the 5k breaks off, and you can certainly get a good time if you are going for one.

I've ran this 15k before and my friends have ran it several times between 2012-2015, and I will have to say that this year was the most seamless event they have had. I think that management is improving greatly on this race every year.

Pros:
+ Way better packet pickup experience this year than at years past. VERY quick and easy once you are in.
+ They did a good job with the corrals this year (years past, not always the case)
+ I loved how well the theme was spread out in the race
+ They gave out chocolate during the race! This time it was M&Ms instead of pieces of chocolate, which I thought was easier to run + eat (yes, I did take some of that)
+ Great post-race food. I just love the fondue/dipping concept.
+ Always some of the best swag of any race in Chicago

Cons:
- I could see that people didn't like the location - as it is downtown - it's much easier for people who live in the city to swing by and grab their packets than it is for people driving in from the suburbs. Easy fix for them... just move to the city ;)
- If you did go through the expo to visit brand tables, it was a little too crowded / packed in.
- I'm not a huge fan of out & backs during a race, and there was one between miles 5 & 6 which wasn't very scenic. But, it works I guess.

Overall, fun race to run with a group of friends and it's a very sweet theme. They are really working to fine-tune this race and it shows.

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