This was my first time at the Hot Chocolate 15K race. I was really impressed that there were multiple days/times for packet pickup, and understand completely why there was no morning of pickup. This race is popular! I couldn't believe the sea of people in all directions.

Instead of a bunch of random stuff in a swag bag, the Hot Chocolate race gives you a gear bag with a nice, zip up jacket inside. I also used a code to get an additional multi-use wrap, which was an excellent addition!

The parking lot was a little walk from the starting area, but not too bad considering it was freezing and the walk helped warm me up! The parking was easy to find and very well directed by race staff and volunteers. There were a lot of people, and we were able to get into the lot relatively quickly.

Finding the way to the starting area was also well marked and directed by volunteers. There were many portapotties, so there was a very short wait for the bathroom regardless of the large number of racers.

The startline was broken into corrals based on assigned paces, which were gathered during the registration process. Volunteers checked each assigned corral letter which was located on the race bib, and made sure that each person was in the correct corral or later.

Each corral was released in waves, allowing for the many thousands of people to spread out safely before the next corral was released. We were in corral K (10:30 pace) which required a few minutes of wait time, but it went quickly and was very organized.

The course itself was flat, with 2 portions that included out and backs. While it wasn't the most scenic course, there were many aid stations strategically placed and each had a different sweet treat, ranging from marshmallows to M&Ms as well as water and Gatorade.

At the end of the course, you took your ticket and went to wait in a line for a finisher's mug. The plastic mug contained a cup of hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and a variety of items to dip in the chocolate. The line went quickly, and the music and atmosphere was great.

The medals are amazing. Heavy, high quality and well worth the run! The course was flat and fun, and great time!

One recommendation would be to make sure there is a water bottle for each finisher, as those coming across towards the end did not receive one. All in all, this was a fantastic race and I look forward to running it again!

This race was a blast! First of, the expo/packet pickup were timed so that those racers traveling in on Friday after work could still attend and pick up on Friday night. The race was partnered with the Edgewater Hotel and Casino as well as the Colorado Belle. Both hotels were within walking distance from the start line, so parking was not an issue and the hotels were super cheap!

When I arrived at the hotel to check in, I was given a handmade welcome gift from the race director as it was in the inaugural race. It had chapstick with sunscreen in it (which I had left at home), trail mix, epsom salts for after the race and more.

Morning of the race, we walked over to the start line and easily found our way around and located the gear drop as well. We were given bags to use at gear drop that were already marked with our bib numbers and they were dropped in the back of a uhaul so our bags could meet us at the finish line.

The race started as close to on time as possible, and started with a steady incline (which was a pretty large hill that steadily climbed for close to three miles. The hill was lovingly named the "dam" hill...which we quickly came to understand as to the reasoning behind the name.

From here, we turned and got a nice down hill break with a beautiful view. There were plenty of aid stations throughout the course, offering water and Gatorade, as well as some snacks along the way.

Along the way, we ran over the David Dam, from Nevada to Arizona and back again, on a trail and up several hills. There were ups and downs, making this course fun and exciting! I can't wait to do it again next year!

This was one of the most organized inaugural races I have seen, with tons of support and great volunteers. After the race, the awards and post-race party were held a little ways down the road, right near the host hotels. One suggestion for next year is to pump up the party. Maybe using a room in one of the hotels, or waiting a bit longer to give the awards would help get the party going...but this wasn't a big deal because we were in Laughlin afterall!

Highly recommend this race to everyone!

I have to start by saying that there were ups and downs with this race, but overall I really enjoyed it and PR'd for my 5K time.

This was the first year for the Haunted Half and 5K in Gilbert, and myself along with many of my friends signed up as there was a Groupon available, which made it virtually impossible to turn down.

Registering was easy and I had no issues with using the online system. There really was not an Expo, but rather a tent for packet pick up in front of the Sport's Chalet, with a local running shoe store tent set up (they had some great deals and discounts though). The actual pickup was rather organized, and I quickly got my bib number as well as my sisters, and went to the second tent to get our shirts and "Halloween Goodies".

The first issue that came up was that the shirt was advertised as a "long-sleeved technical shirt", however we were given short-sleeve cotton-poly blend tees. When we got to the race, some people had long-sleeved tees, and they said they had to request them specifically. The only other items in the bag with the shirt were 2 temporary tattoos and a sticker. The half marathoners also received a pair of gloves (as described in the race description).

The directions specifically stated that there was no morning of race packet pickup, yet many people were still allowed to pick up packets before the race began.

The race info said to be there 1 hour before race time (which was 7:45am for the 5k and 7:00am for the half marathon). When we arrived at 6:45am, nothing was set up and it was very unclear where we were supposed to be for the startline. We asked a volunteer, who confirmed we were in the right place and then instantly told us we needed to walk across the street to a gray building for the start of the race. There was no signage directing racers.

The race itself started on time, but there was no welcome from the race directors and the only way that we knew the race was starting was because someone started counting backwards from 5. We were towards the front of the pack, but I am sure it was more difficult for those in the back (as there were around 900 racers).

The route was clearly marked, and safely blockaded to prevent traffic from injuring a runner and was relatively flat with some small up- and downgrades. There was one water station at Mile 2, with several volunteers who informed runners what they had in the cups, and where there was water or gatorade.

The race finished in the parking lot where we had parked, so that was convenient.

The post-race food was interesting, and included apple cider, a cloudy gatorade, and Meta Fiber bars. As more racers came through the finish line, the snacks changed to donuts and pizza, and eventually orange slices. I would suggest that the fiber laxative style bars, be replaced with a protein bar or even a regular granola bar.

The participant medal did not disappoint for both distances. They were vampire medals. The 5K version was a bit more simple, and the half marathon was a high-quality vampire that opened and closed his cape. Both were great!

The race was advertised with the motto "R.I.P." which stood for "Run, Indulge, Party". The run was great, and I'm guessing the pizza and donuts were the indulge portion, but the party part was in need of some excitement.

The announcer/DJ explained that awards for overall and age groupers would be starting in 5 minutes and that all racers should walk to the other side of the event to wait for it to begin. Both my sister and friend placed, so we headed over. Another hour and half went by, with no additional information being provided. All the racers who were waiting for awards were getting antsy as it was a holiday and many had other places they needed to get too.

At this time, I decided to check with a staff member or volunteer to see what was going on. I approached a volunteer, who then told me that the race director had left the awards in her car and we were waiting for them to arrive at the venue. As the volunteer was saying this, another woman pulled her aside and began whispering to her and the volunteer left mid-sentence to go somewhere else. At this point, I asked the women (who seemed to be a staff member as she was also the one handing out medals eventually) if she could let us know how much longer it would be before the awards started. She told us to "go back over there and wait and it will probably be starting sometime". After waiting an hour and a half, this answer was a bit disappointing.

However, it was about 5-10 minutes later when the award ceremony started and the medals were beautiful, and very impressive for those that placed. In the end, the awards were worth the long wait and lack of communication.

In Summary, I feel this race will continue to grow and improve in future years. Participants enjoyed it, it was an overall pleasant run, and a fun, themed medal. Some things to work on would be communication before and during the race and making sure the items promised to runners are delivered.

I really enjoyed the race and can't wait to go next year! I am sure that the inaugural kinks will be all worked out, and it will be even more fun!

The Night Run in Tempe was a favorite of my running group from last year. I decided to sign up for the 8K, as my 11 year old son was able to race for free (which was very exciting). I also signed my 2 young ones up for the 100 yard dash. It was very unclear from the website if the 100 yard dashers would be getting a medal.

I contacted the race directors in order to hash out the details. I was assured my son could run the 8K with me, and that he would receive a medal (but would not be timed). I was also assured that both girls would indeed receive a medal for the 100 yard dash.

At packet pickup, some confusion began. My son was given a bib for the 5K race instead of the 8K, but unfortunately I did not notice it until I was already home. The packet pick up was located rather far from the venue, but race day pickup was also an option.

When we arrived at the venue, we followed the directions on where to park. The parking garage was quite a distance from the actual race expo, and the start line was even farther. For me, this was not an issue as I don't mind walking, but the younger children were complaining by the end of the night.

The 100 yard dash was not very organized. There was no start line or finish line, and no one was there coordinating until just moments before the race was to start. The first 2 groups of children ran, and were stopped by VOWLunteers, as there was no finish line indicated. The last group, however, was not stopped, and the children continued to run far past the "finish". Then, all the children and parents began to wander away...as there were no medals.

I had to ask a VOWLunteer if medals were to be provided, as my girls were feeling very sad about not getting a medal. She looked confused and said she did not know but would go find out. We waited there for another 5 minutes or so, and then the loud speaker directed all the children to return to the "start line" to pick up their medals. Ultimately, the girls were happy to get them.

Luckily, my son was old enough to run alone in the 5K run, as I was told on site that he was unable to run the 8K for free (as was discussed previously on the phone). He was excited to be able to run, and actually preferred the shorter distance.

The 8K route was made up of the 5K route, with an additional loop added to the end that had racers run past the finish line once before crossing it. This was very confusing for many of the runners who missed the verbal directions before the race started, though there were markers and volunteers directing on the course. I personally do not like to race loops, especially when they take me right past the finish line!

When I finished, I was able to locate my family and we stayed to cheer on the rest of the racers. After some time, they ran out of medals. Many of those final finishers did not receive a finisher's medal on site, but were told that they would be mailed out later on.

Another major issue that I'm sure will be addressed for next year was the bathroom situation. There were roughly 15 porta potties, and WAY too many people for that number. The line to use the bathroom was longer than a Disneyland line in mid-summer.

Overall, I enjoyed the race and enjoyed seeing photos of my children racing as well. I am hoping that many of these issues will be addressed for next year, as this was the first year the race was held at Tempe Town Lake. I will definitely race again next year, with the hopes that these things will be addressed.