Parking/ Packet Pickup: I picked up my packet on race morning, and got there right at 7:30 when packet pick up opened. I definitely didn't need to arrive so early... I ended up standing around for two hours before the race started! At pick up I received my bib (with chip timing on it), a quarter zip with the race logo on it (and thumb holes!), and a santa hat and beard to wear during the race (I didn't because it was 60 degrees and so very humid!). At the pick up area they had a merchandise area, as well as some reindeer. So cute! I parked in a lot right across from Lucas Oil Stadium, and paid $5 for that, which worked out well!

Starting Line: No assigned corrals, but they had minute/mile signs so you could line up with your appropriate pace! This made the start go really smoothly (i.e. no walkers at the front!), which I appreciated. They played Christmas music at the start, and had enough port a potties so that people didn't have to wait too long, which was nice as well.

Race Course: Nothing special- it was an out and back (basically) in downtown Indy. This didn't bother me, however, because I didn't run this race for the course. It was very flat, which was especially nice due to the unseasonably warm weather.

Aid Stations: right before mile 1 there was an "aid station" with volunteers passing out cookies. I grabbed a cookie and nibbled it slowly over the next quarter of a mile. There was a water station about half way through the course, and towards the end of the race they passed out cups of mini m&ms. So fun!

Finish Line: Awesome! They had some inflatable snowmen and Santas, as well as signs to take pictures with, which was fun! They had water bottles, cups of powerade, bananas, more cookies, clif bars, and potato chips at the finish line, and I especially enjoyed the extra hydration due to the heat! They also had reindeer there, which I thought was a nice little touch!

The race communication was fantastic, and nothing felt confusing. I wish it had been a bit cooler so I could've enjoyed the full "santa" experience while running, but I still had a great time at the race!

If you'd like to read my race recap, you can check out my blog post here: http://www.thelittlethingsblog.com/santa-hustle-5k-race-recap/

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