Hot Chocolate Dallas

Hot Chocolate Dallas

Hot Chocolate Dallas

( 29 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Dallas,
    Texas,
    United States
  • February
  • 3 miles/5K, 9 miles/15K, Virtual Race
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Jenna Kinzie

Dallas, Texas, United States
89 24
2018
"Fun time! Best swag!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Jenna Kinzie's thoughts:

The Hot Chocolate 15K is a tradition for me because it's just a fun time. It's always pretty cold, but is the best feeling ever to warm up with a fun run followed but delicious hot chocolate. I knew a lot of other people running this so it was like a big fun runner meet-up. It is a very well-known race around Dallas, especially known for the great post-run treats and SWAG. THE BEST hoodies. This years quarter-zip is SO SOFT. I will live in it. 100% better than a tech shirt (sorry, all other races out there!)

The race management is great. They are awesome about email updates, easy-to-read instructions for packet pickup and race day, and even training plans. This race is very well organized before, during, and after.

The expo is in Fair Park (downtown Dallas) so, it is a bit of a drive (vs. having a packet pickup at a local running store) but there are quite a few vendors. Maybe about 10 booths with goodies to look at, taste, and purchase. There are also a few big signs/blow up things to take pictures by with your bib. I took one start off for the expo just because it is kind of a pain to drive there and park ($5). Be sure to set aside a few solid hours for the expo.

The race morning runs very smoothly. Allow yourself, again, plenty of time to get to Fair Park (traffic is crazy with EVERYONE getting there at the same time). But once you park, the area is easy to navigate. It's a bit of a walk from the parking area, then gear check is indoors (THANK YOU for an area out of the cold wind!) and is also a big area where people will stretch and hang out pre and post-race. There are TONS of porta-potties, which is always a bonus, and the start line is close to gear check.

This is a BIG race, so the Start is thankfully in waves. There's a bit of a crowd as to be expected during the start until it thins out. The course is, in my opinion, hilly. It was a tough run. The views are pretty good. You're running through the Fair Park area. Nice aid stations and spectators. Not a ton of spectators, but enough. Overall no complaints about the course itself. Everyone is just happy and it's a great vibe.

After the race, you get the famous hot chocolate mug! It's got, of course, hot chocolate, also dipping chocolate and lots of treats. There's a big open area to eat your treats, say hi to friends, take pictures, etc. Speaking of pictures, the other bonus swag offered for this race is FREE RACE PHOTOS. YES.

After the race, results and (free!) race photos are uploaded extremely quickly. I couldn't believe that just maybe an hour post-race, I got an email with my race photos. That is really awesome.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this race to a friend and plan to do it again next year!

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