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Latest reviews by Fallon C
Fallon C recommends this race
(2020)
"Run for Chocolate"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
I was excited to sign for Hot Chocolate 15K- Phoenix. Somehow, I have never run a Hot Chocolate race before even though I had heard great things. Obviously, I would have preferred to run it in person but 2020. I missed the crowds and I know I missed out on what I hear are amazing aid stations.
My personal race went a little south due to a numb foot but I was looking forward to the great swag as a reward.
Except, my awesome swag was lost in transit (holiday mail)! I watched it literally circle the country according to the transit data. It finally did arrive though and it is really awesome! The sweatshirt is top notch and I’ve already worn it. It will definitely keep me warm through the next few months. Just one ask- how about a milk chocolate cocoa mix??? I think I may be alone in that though.
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Fallon C recommends this race
(2020)
"Giant Race-SF Home Style"
Overall
Race Management
SWAG
Virtual Support
The downside was not running in San Francisco- upside, I could choose my own course!
I took my Giants Race to the beach and enjoyed some miles in the sand.
The swag for the race is awesome- a tech tee that I actually want to wear again, a new Seal themed gaiter for 2020 and a sweet bobble head. Then there are the medals that were earned- pretty sweet.
Also, as this was my third Giants Race of the year, I will also earn the Turn Two and the Three Bagger series medals. That's 4 medals for the Giant Race San Francisco! Sweet!
I appreciated all the emails from the race organization. They kept us in loop as it changed from a live weekend to a virtual one. They also lined up a lot interactive activities for race week. Like interviews and social posts. They also sent out a printable DIY finish line as well as a downloadable Zoom background for finishers.
All in all, it was a great virtual experience.
Fallon C recommends this race
(2020)
"Texas Travels"
Overall
Race Management
SWAG
Virtual Support
Texas is a great big state that I hope to visit someday. But until then, there's the Texas Distance Challenge!
The challenge came along just when I needed it in 2020, I needed to fight lagging motivation.
The challenge had more than a few options available for runners, walkers and cyclists.
They were-
Solo Crossing: 814 individual miles
Team Crossing: 814 team miles
Riders had-
Solo Crossing: 814 individual miles
Team Crossing: 814 team miles
Solo Loop: 3,612 individual miles
Team Loop: 3,612 team miles
Could I do 814 miles? I don't know but I have from July 1 to April 30. Initial swag was awesome- a bandana, a patch, bib and sticker and Cliff Bar.
The site tracker was super easy to link to Strava and it was fun watching your little dot move along the path from El Paso to Texarkana.
The more miles you put in, the more swag you get- stickers and a final shirt based on how far you get by cutoff.
2020 was nothing like I had hoped so having this challenge was awesome. Here's hoping I get to Texas for real someday.
Fallon C recommends this race
(2020)
"Giants at Home"
Overall
Race Management
SWAG
Virtual Support
I was so excited to run the Giants Race series this year then we all know what happened as it was switched to a virtual race. Being unable to run the race as planned meant I could choose my own course.
So I stacked the deck and chose a downhill course, ha!
About a month before the race, the organizers started sending out May Days training emails. They broke down a basic training plan for the 5K and a smaller plan for the kids or "Little Sluggers". They knew I needed motivation! I appreciated the weekly emails.
Just before race day , they sent out another email with a DIY printable Finish Banner. Cool!
I finished my race and took a selfie for proof (for me). Now I wait for the swag to arrive. However I ran their virtual Sacramento race too so I know the swag is worth the wait.
Fallon C recommends this race
(2020)
"Good Times In Napa"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Registration was available online up until it sold out a few weeks before the race. Registration is on the higher side but there were a variety of discounts available.
Race communication was on point, not too many emails but enough that I knew what to do and where to do it.
The race expo took place in the Napa Marriott. Things were a little congested, there was one room for bib pickup and another for swag pickup and expo booths. The second room was completely packed. I feel like the flow of people might have worked better if the swag pickup had been in the same room as the bibs. All the merchandise booths were crowded.
Race morning dawned early and while they offered shuttle pickups at a few local hotels, I chose the drop off option. The drop off corner while crowded was less than half a mile from the start. Even better was that I had VIP privileges and was able to enjoy the warmth of Conn Creek Winery and real bathrooms.
The race started on time and then it was 13 miles of road and pretty vineyards.
The race primarily took runners down the Silverado Trail before turning towards town.
In my opinion the races tends towards flat with very little change in elevation.
The aid stations were well staffed and stocked with water and Nuun. The first aid station was around mile 3 with second around mile 6. From then on they were every couple of miles.
The finish line was located at Vintage High School and once across you were handed your medal and a heat sheet. Then down through the chute grabbing snacks along the way. Also a first for any race I’ve run- post race soup!
Swag- the swag for this race was a nice, long sleeve tech shirt and an amazing backpack/ duffel bag- all runners received these and they are nice- I love mine.
All in all this was a great race, one I would definitely run again. Also due to some GI issues I was out there way longer than planned- and the race was still awesome from start to finish.