I ran Hot Chocolate 15k Atlanta for the 4th time thanks to being a BibRave Pro. After taking last year off from the race, this year was a bit different of course due to COVID restrictions. In spite of this being a virtual race experience, and many people people feeling virtual race fatigue, there were definitely some positive aspects of the race being virtual this year:

- Run on your own schedule. This is especially key given the weather has been highly variable, and often terrible, for the Atlanta Hot Chocolate race. The virtual race option lets folks decide a wide window when they'll run and adjust according to schedule and, of course, the weather. I ran on the "real" race date since it was my birthday and the weather was lovely.
- Run your own route. I'm luck since I live in Atlanta and very close to the actual HC ATL course. However, the virtual option lets folks roll out of bed and run wherever their heart desires, even if that means virtually running through the streets of Atlanta from your home across the country. Why not?!
- Swag. I think this goes without saying, but the Hot Chocolate series has really done a great job setting themselves apart with amazing swag. This year was no different. I received my swag bag about a week before what would have been the real race date. It included a medal with a cool hidden chocolate compartment, extra pieces of chocolate, 2 packets of hot chocolate, and the zip up hoodie. The hoodie this year is really nice, fits great, and my husband pointed out that it looked great. Bonus points!

* I'm sure everyone will be glad to race in person in the near future, but I hope these races keep virtual options available to allow more people to take part on their own schedules and from closer to home.