2019 marks the third consecutive year that I've run one of the races at the Philadelphia Allstate Hot Chocolate series. I kicked off my 40th year in 2017, 2018 was my friend Ana's first 5k ever, and this year I ran solo. But I was never alone, I had friends all along the way.

What I love about this race is the appeal for local runners and newer runners, at that. Because it has such terrific swag and yummy treats at the finish, it has an appeal that can't be denied. Not only did I see adult friends, I also saw a lot of my kid runners from Healthy Kids Running Series.

I opted to have my race packet mailed to me. Along with the super soft jacket, there was also my bib, and a card saying that as a 3 year legacy runner, I was going to get even MORE swag! What? It's true - I just had to bring the card along with me and I was able to pick up a 3 year legacy medal, pin, and hat. So cool!

The course itself is standard Philly running. We chose to take the train in from New Jersey rather than deal with parking and walking from 15th/16th and Locust to Eakins Oval.

We got there just before 7am, had time to get a picture with fellow BibRave Pros, and then jump into the corral. I was placed in D but started in E because I saw some friends. The 5k race began at 7:15, I crossed the start exactly 10 minutes later at 7:25.

Running along the Schuylkill river is nice enough, although a bit on the boring side. The other side of the road is 1-76.

There was water and Nuun on the course, along with one chocolate station. I chose to skip the chocolate and indulge at the finish line. After I crossed the finish I circled back and cheered for my friends finishing the 5k. We grabbed our chocolate treats (and my extra swag!) and then cheered for the 15k finishers.

One thing that was disappointing was the photographers. Hot Chocolate always has free pictures for runners (yay!) but this year I didn't get that many and the ones that I'm in, I'm behind people. There are a few of me running but they're blurry. Whomp!

The morning was perfect for running though and as always, the race was a lot of fun!

More pictures and thoughts here: http://www.scootadoot.org/2019/04/10/race-recap-2019-allstate-hot-chocolate-philadelphia-5k/

Link to this review