Interesting way to get people to sign up: they offer registration starting at $1.00 and those quickest on the keyboard might actually get to register for $1.00. They only have a certain amount of $1.00 slots, then it goes up from there. I was able to register for $10, which is pretty darn good for a half marathon. Packet pick-up was simple, parking at the event was easy, and lining up for the start wasn't too crowded. An announcement was made that the finisher medals were not available, but would be mailed out as soon as possible. In its place we were given generic finisher medals with an outline of a man crossing a finish line. (I will note here that this event took place on May 5 and it is now August 9 - no medals received yet) The course was on a bike path along the Boise River Greenbelt, which is a beautiful course, and aid stations were spaced appropriately. It was, for the most part, a simple out-and-back. It is a good event if you don't care about receiving a medal from the event. I don't mind so much since I only paid $10 for my entry, but I'm guessing it doesn't matter how much you end up paying, you may still only receive a generic medal at one of Premier Event Management's upcoming "Women's" races. (Utah Valley Women's Half, Wilmington Women's Half, Alpharetta Women's Half, Napa Valley Women's Half, etc...

I always love a run in San Francisco and the Hot Chocolate 15k does not disappoint.

Let's begin with the expo. It is easy to navigate, wasn't too crowded, but parking was a bit difficult at the small venue. Not very many vendors but the upside to that is you can get in & out without much fuss. Part of your race entry paid for an event jacket which looks sporty & feels cozy! There was a table to try on the size you ordered and you could exchange sizes if needed. This is a huge PLUS!

Now, on to the event. I rated parking low because there is virtually no parking around the event venue, BUT shuttle buses were plentiful. I was able to hop right onto a shuttle at the Emeryville Amtrak station and there were empty buses waiting to take runners once the bus I was on left the station. Upon arrival to Golden Gate Park the gear check was easy to locate, porta-potties were plentiful (although toilet paper was not). I've learned to carry kleenex in my pack and it came in handy. Finding race corrals and then accessing them was a breeze, the event started on time, waves were released in a timely manner, and we were off! A hilly course, which is expected in San Francisco, but not the most difficult I've ever run. the scenery was so beautiful that I really didn't feel the hills much. Aid stations had some variation of chocolate/marshmallows and offered NUUN hydration/water. I personally don't care for NUUN which is why I gave a 4 star rating instead of 5. The porta-potties on the course were fully stocked (Thank Goodness!) The finish line was very easy to navigate, and once you make your way back to the gear check area you could also pick up your "Finisher's Mug" which was actually a plastic sectioned bowl nearly dinner-plate size which held chocolate sauce, a paper cup of hot chocolate, marshmallow, rice krispie's square, pretzels, and a couple of other chocolate novelties. I was happy with the medal too, a large metal chocolate bar with an image of a trolley car & victorian style homes. Overall, a great event & fun with friends!

I am founder of the non-profit "Randy's Run" and have been co-director of this event for 3 years. Just thought I should tell you that up front. 2015 was the first year that I was involved as a participant.

The event was created in memory of my husband, Randy Baysinger, who lost his battle with Leukemia in 2011. All proceeds from this event are donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Most of the event volunteers are Team In Training participants.

The event shirts are high quality, however, they run a little small so it was necessary to order 1 size up. Exchanging was easy on the morning of the event. The medals are also high quality! There is no expo due to the small size of this event. Packets are given out the morning of the race but there might be a packet pick-up added in the future as the event grows. The start/finish line is outside the Best Western Villa Del Lago and they offer runners coffee at no cost. There is a Starbuck's across the street for those who want something more.

The aid stations are well-stocked with water, Gatorade, & salt. Towels chilled in ice water are made available at the final aid station. It is an out-and-back course and there are 3 aid stations & 2 Porta-Potties, giving runners plenty of hydration & pit-stops when necessary. Hotel staff has always welcomed runners to use the lobby restrooms at the start/finish.

Let's talk scenery & elevation. California has been in a drought, so the 2015 scenery was a bit brown. However, the course takes you up Diablo Grande Parkway which is a rural route to the Diablo Grande Golf Course and is very hilly and usually has lush, green pastures. The only "flat" roadway on the course is the first & last quarter mile. Being that the event is fairly new there are not many spectators, but the aid station volunteers are great cheerleaders!

The finish line is well stocked with water, Gatorade, bagels, oranges & bananas. There are also several restaurant choices in a 1 block distance. Parking was not an issue as there was plenty of space available!

Of course, I highly recommend this event. In 2016 the Randy's Run Half Marathon will be part of the California Half & Full Marathon Series!

Small field of runners made the course easy to navigate, although there were portions on a bike path where there was a little bit of crowding. No one can control the weather, and this was a sunny & warm day with nearly no shade along the course. The aid stations were plentiful, but porta-potties were not!. Luckily I didn't need to use one along the way, but I only spotted 3 locations for a "pit stop". There may have been more but none in the first 5 - 6 miles of the race. Few spectators, but again, it was a small field of runners. The tech shirt & medal were great, and the post-race food offerings were plentiful. Results could be found right away via laptop computers set up under the timing tent. Overall, a nice small-town feel with some amenities of a larger race!

Well organized expo with easy access and an excellent variety of vendors. I heard a lot of people complain about the race shirt that we received, but I was happy with it. It fit well and I happen to like the color & the logo. Start line was very well organized, good signage & amenities, plenty of portable toilets. The flat & fast course takes you through all of the best neighborhoods of Chicago; you cannot beat the spectators...they were everywhere cheering! The aid stations plentiful too and the volunteers knew what they were doing, also friendly. The organizers seemed to be generous with the porta-potties on the course too, and I was actually able to find one in the middle of the course that didn't have a line! The finisher's area moved along without stopping, despite the huge crowds. Medical tents & personnel were visible with easy access at the finish too. All in all a great experience for such a large race!