Twin Cities in Motion, Hot Dash 5k & 10 miler. Saturday, March 7, 2015. Sunny, high 30’s windy. Minneapolis, MN. 9:00am

Registration: Available online, started at $35 and increased as race day approached. However the race sold out, so registration closed, and could not register at packet pick up. Included in registration bib with timing chip, long sleeve tech pullover, beer at post race, hot dish at post race.

Expo / Packet Pick/up: There was no true expo as packet pick up was held at the running store. I had a friend grab my bib and pullover as she lives in MPLS and could stop by one of the Thursday or Friday early pick up dates. You could also grab your stuff on race day starting at 7:30. Emails were sent with bib numbers to assist in picking up materials.

Pre-race: Parking, where do I begin, there was on street parking if you were lucky enough and familiar enough with the area to find it. Otherwise there was a ramp and an open air lot you could pay to park in. The line to get into the ramp was long, the line to pay in the open air lot was long. Planning ahead would have made this an easier process. Parking was also close to the finish line, not the start line. Port-o-potties near the finish. Announcements could be heard on the loud speaker.

Race / Course: The race was run on the streets near the Mississippi river. We went north then turned around came back a ways, crossed the river, then crossed the river back again.

Lots of potholes, but it’s the midwest just after a harsh winter, this is normal. Cobblestones at the end
water & powerade in different paper cups
no photographers on the course, but some near the end
each mile marked with a flag
flat course, incline / decline on bridge crossings
Volunteers at intersections and along the course, as the streets were still open. (If you are driving next to a race course, or humans on the street, SLOW DOWN!)
A few spectators
Scenic in spots, once near the river, otherwise running on city streets
Port-o-potties on the course

Finish / Post Race: The finish was marked with some flags and the clock. The announcer was informing everyone of who was finishing. Once crossed the timing mat, there were bottles of water, bananas, a raisin bread treat, chips and a Pearson Nut Goodie. No medals. The post race festivities were a short walk from the actual finish. Once you were in the post race area, there was canned Finnegan’s Blonde Ale, Hot Dish (which was cold, and very tiny), fire pits, hot chocolate, food for purchase and a photo booth.

There was also a post race awards ceremony, but it was held before the last racer finished. Also held before the end of the race was the best dressed lumberjack and best beard contest.

Overall: Good price for the distance, not a bucket list race, but a good race for the time of year. The parking was the biggest hassle for us.

Check out my blog for photos and my personal race day experience https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/03/10/hot-dash-10-miler/