Maybe I expect too much from races in Atlanta due to their huge running community...but here is the breakdown.

T-shirts/Swag: I bought the VIP package therefore I got the race shirt plus a 1/4 shirt. I like the 1/4 shirt however the race shirt is super big but has nice graphics. I had to go two sizes down in order to get a proper fitting shirt....they were not stingy about shirt exchanges, which was nice. There is no medal or any other swag on this race, which is a bit of a disappoint as there it is a fun theme.

Aid Stations: I am assuming they are better when the weather is good, however, there were only two (2) aid stations for the 10k. It really isn't bad if you are use to carrying your own water.

Course Scenery: With all the pretty places to run in Atlanta, this course doesn't do it. This course loops you through a not so pretty setting. I am not a fan of a looping course.

Expo: No expo, packet pickup at local running store.

Elevation: It's Atlanta, there are going to be hills and the hills are going to be tough and they are going to suck even more the second time around.

Race Management: Did a good job and I am sure it is a much better race with better weather. Oh and they allow dogs, which I did enjoy!!!

Overall: It was an okay race but one I would not take part in again....now add a medal to it and I would run it again just to get a themed medal. Ha.

Maybe I expect too much from races in Atlanta due to their huge running community...but here is the breakdown.

T-shirts/Swag: I bought the VIP package therefore I got the race shirt plus a 1/4 shirt. I like the 1/4 shirt however the race shirt is super big but has nice graphics. I had to go two sizes down in order to get a proper fitting shirt....they were not stingy about shirt exchanges, which was nice. There is no medal or any other swag on this race, which is a bit of a disappoint as there it is a fun theme.

Aid Stations: I am assuming they are better when the weather is good, however, there were only two (2) aid stations for the 10k. It really isn't bad if you are use to carrying your own water.

Course Scenery: With all the pretty places to run in Atlanta, this course doesn't do it. This course loops you through a not so pretty setting. I am not a fan of a looping course.

Expo: No expo, packet pickup at local running store.

Elevation: It's Atlanta, there are going to be hills and the hills are going to be tough and they are going to suck even more the second time around.

Race Management: Did a good job and I am sure it is a much better race with better weather. Oh and they allow dogs, which I did enjoy!!!

Overall: It was an okay race but one I would not take part in again....now add a medal to it and I would run it again just to get a themed medal. Ha.

Overall: Let me say I normally LOVE Atlanta Track Club races. However, this one is WAY too crowded.

T-Shirts/Swag: The swag is great for this race! Women's fitted tech shirt, rose at the finish line (great quality that lasted over a week) and a beautiful medal. They nailed the swag department. And there is event branded gear that you can purchase at the event for a very reasonable cost as well.

Aid Stations: There was one aid station and I did not even bother due to the fact that the race is so crowded that there was a swarm of women trying to get water. No thank you, bring a water bottle for if you need water for a 3 miler.

Course Scenery: It is through a beautiful neighborhood, however, instead of enjoying running past beautiful homes of Atlanta, I found myself busy trying to direct ladies to stay within the cones so traffic could flow.

Expo: There is no expo but a packet pickup, which is at a local running store. They were very nice by allowing t shirt try-ons and change outs.

Elevation Difficulty: It's Atlanta, there are going to be some steep hills even for a 3.1!

Parking: Parking is a mess so get there early! Had to park almost a mile away from the start line.

Race Management: Atlanta Track Club normally nails it, this one falls short. The overall management is good however course management was lacking. I really think there needs to be a cap on the number of bibs.

I would recommend this race for someone who is looking for an enjoyable race. I didn't like this....people running 5-6 wide on a one lane course. At one point the runners were bleeding so far into another lane that a car had to dodge runners and wind up hitting the curb. For me, this is not one I would run again unless they cap the bibs or change the location of the run.

Swag - One thing that set the Hot Chocolate Race apart from all the other races is the SWAG. Instead of shirt, one gets a pretty nice jacket...that are not unisex! At the end of the race you are rewarded with yummy hot chocolate and chocolate fondue with treats for dipping! The hot chocolate is super delish and so id the fondue. The jackets were better this year than last however, the medals too a serious hit when they went from highlighting the city to being generic medals with a magnet that they could switch out. It is still a nice medal but not what it use to be.

Aid Stations - GREAT aid stations. The volunteers are ready and willing and there was no fear of running out of water, etc. Aid stations were located every two miles.

Course Scenery - The course change from 2016, which I didn't mind. This course takes you through the highlights of Atlanta, although I could do without the loop by Turner Field as that is not in a desirable location nor is it an active baseball stadium. Running through Georgia Tech is always a highlight. Greek Row will put a smile on your face!

Expo - It seemed a bit smaller this year than 2016 but it was still good. Signed up for another race while I was there and my running buddy found some products that she purchased. It has great potential to be an amazing expo.

Elevation - It is Atlanta.....HILLS! If you are not a hill runner, get training. The last hill is pretty brutal as it is right before the finish line and goes on forever....but no worries, you got this!!!

Parking - Plenty of parking in the aquarium and World of Coca Cola parking garages for $10.

Race Management - RAM Racing puts on stellar races. If I know RAM Racing is involved I normally sign up for the event knowing it will be a good one. My jacket was missing the zip pull and they were even kind enough to mail me out one after I emailed them. Top notch.

Let me first start out with saying that the weekend for the 2016 RNR San Antonio Half was a wet one and it did not let up on race day. Nine out of 13 miles, it was raining but I was not about to have that spoil my fun!

Shirts/Swag: It is always great when a race does ladies shirts! Thank you RnR!!! The shirts ran small but that was no big deal as they did have a shirt exchange right when you picked it up. The gear bag was so/so, I have seen better...but let's be honest, how many hear bags does one need? The medal was very nice and I appreciated that it was a normal size and not huge that hurt your neck to wear!

Aid Stations: I do understand that it was rainy and windy but I believe I only came across 4 maybe 5 aid stations through the race. At one point I took two cups of water, one to fill up my trust water bottle and one to drink. I am glad that I always carry a water bottle with me as water is my safety blanket at times and for me, RnR could have thrown in a couple more aid stations for the half.

Course Scenery: I love running through cities getting to know the lay of the land when I am on vacation. This half did not disappoint. Ran through all the areas I wanted to see...right past the Alamo and through Pearl Brewery. Course support was better than what I thought it was going to be simply because of the weather. I wonder what the crowds would have been like with good weather?

Expo: Maybe I am use to great expos? Brooks is always great but always overpriced....$50 for a long sleeved race shirt? I don't think so. There were decent vendors and some samples. Maybe I am use to vendors handing me free samples at expos, but this one it was not like that at all. In my opinion it was ok....not the best not the worst.

Elevation: Nice flat course with minimal elevation gain. If it was not for the rain I am sure I would have probably had a PR.

Parking/Access: For access I was staying at a hotel on the River Walk, therefore I had a two block walk to the start line! I highly suggest getting a hotel on the River Walk for this one if you are coming in from out of town. Parking is pricey in downtown.

Race Management: I was super please with race management on this one. Everything was done the best it could be executed. With the weather, updates were sent via text and email. RnR did an amazing job keeping everyone in the know with start times and weather impacts. Communication is key for race management and RnR hit it out of the park.