Allstate Hot Chocolate Scottsdale

Allstate Hot Chocolate Scottsdale

Allstate Hot Chocolate Scottsdale

( 19 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Phoenix,
    Arizona,
    United States
  • December
  • 3 miles/5K, 9 miles/15K
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Emily White

Chandler, Arizona, United States
74 58
2016
"One big chocolate party!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Emily White's thoughts:

This was my second time running the Hot Chocolate race in Scottsdale, but my first time with the 5k. I was originally signed up for the 15k but due to a recent knee injury I had to drop to the 5k.

Communication was good for this race, we even received weekly training plans via email (for the 15k registrants). The race is located at Salt River Fields, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Packet pickup was offered Friday and Saturday. No race day packet pickup was advertised. You could also choose to have your packet sent to you for an additional fee. It is a bit of a hike to the expo.

A few weeks before the race I emailed mgmt about switching distances and they told me it had to be taken care of at packet pickup. I carpooled with a friend to the expo (highly recommended) and it was a breeze to park and get inside. I went to the counter and was told that to switch distances I had to go to the services booth. I got to the services booth and was told that no, just wear your 15k bib and line up at the 5k start. So back in line I went. Fortunately, the lines moved quickly. Several local race vendors were there, and there was hot chocolate being handed out which is always a plus. The jackets we received in lieu of t-shirts are really nice, warm, and were perfect for our chilly race day!

On race day, once again I carpooled but my friend was running the 15k which had a start time 45 minutes after the 5k. So lots of waiting around. My advice is to go EARLY, no matter which distance you are running. Traffic can be a real mess, there were over 8,000 runners doing these 2 races! We sat in the car for a long time. Then there were some dancers doing a warm up before the start of the race. Eventually it was time for the 5k and we lined up in corrals.

The 5k course is extremely flat and not much to look at. There was one "sweet" stop of strawberry marshmallows, plus water and nuun along the way. As we were crossing the finish line, to the right were the racks of medals that were ONLY FOR the 15K RUNNERS. Kind of cruel to see them and not get anything.. I really think that 5k people would appreciate some small medal for their participation.

Then it was chocolate time! No lines, we were handed our finishers mug with hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and plenty of dippers. They were delicious. The only bummer was that there was nowhere to comfortably sit with your goodies. You had to just find a curb to sit on or plop down in the middle of the parking lot.

Overall, this is a well organized event which I would recommend and do again.

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