In order of events:

The Hot Chocolate expo was more of a packet pickup. As this is the first year for the event I did not expect it to be much more since it takes time for sponsors to join in and help expand the expo. All the volunteers and people there were very helpful and extremely friendly. They got you checked in and your bag very quickly. The cost itself is very nice, the sleeves are a little long and the weather for the race was too warm to wear a coat to anyway. I plan on using this jacket for pre and post practice runs during winter and fall. I may even use it after my late night jiu jitsu classes. They sold dry fit shirts and nice fleeces at great prices at the actual race that were all very nice but I didn't bring my wallet with me to the race. That is something they could have setup at the expo. If you are looking for a lot of swag and sponsors at a race in Las Vegas, I'd recommend the Las Vegas Rock n Roll marathon/half marathon instead. Personally i prefer smaller races, so I really enjoyed this one.

RaceDay: staying at Ballys was a great choice, very close and very easy to get to the race. If you took the strip itself to the race, they could have had more or some signage up to direct you where to go. Once there it all the volunteers were very helpful some I recognized from helping at the Rock n Roll Marathon. There were less people in the A group for the 5k than I thought, but I figured most people signed up for the 15K anyway. I've done long races before but I enjoy and train for 5K more. The starting line inflatable caught a leak so they had to remove it, it didn't have to do with the race being delayed though. Since they had to get the go ahead from the LVPolice the race started a little late. It wasn't a big deal but some people were complaining that they had to wait. I usually get to races early so waiting isn't really a big deal. The MC was great and did his best to keep things moving while waiting for the all clear to start.

The course itself took you up to the strip and then into an area you don't see much in Vegas if you just stay in the tourist parts. Nice flat course, great weather, and it is always good to run in a new area and not something you are used to. I haven't ran in a month so I was excited that I got 4th place but a little disappointed because I think I could have placed if I was able to run last month.

The aid stations and the post race chocolate volunteers were all well prepared and enthusiastic! They really helped with the great atmosphere without a ton of sponsors trying to push their products.

This is a great race for those that don't run much or just a flat 5K course to see how your training has helped you. I run all my races to a specific race day playlist I made so the lack of DJs and music on the course didn't bother me at all. Since it was an early race there were not a lot of spectators which lets you focus on the race and your personal best instead of what is going on around you. I past one aid station but since it was a 5K I avoid those but I believe they had chocolate chips and water there.

I can see this race growing and the expo getting larger each year. If you want to run a race that has a lot more people and music, do the Rock n Roll Vegas race. Personally I preferred this race as it wasn't as large and felt like a normal local race. This was my second race in Vegas and I may come back if CM Punk does a 5K in Vegas for UFC200 like he did last year.