Everyone loves a Hot Chocolate race because of the jackets. The jackets did not disappoint this time around. And of course, the hot chocolate at the end, with all the goodies to dip in chocolate is a drawing point, too. These are the best things about this race.

Packet pick-up was easy at Minute Maid Park, and there were a lot of people picking up their packets early. There were a few vendors there Honey Stinger, some run recovery booths, and of course discounted Hot Chocolate merchandise. If you register early enough, you can get your packet mailed to you.

Getting to the race was easy, but you do have to pay for parking so be prepared for this fee. The 5K started before the 15K. The start of the race was seamless, and I loved the race had pacers all the way down to the slowest pace. I am a back of the packer, so this was a nice touch. The aid stations were always full, and the volunteers were VERY happy the entire time.

The racecourse is a bit boring. There were no spectators, and I feel like most races in Houston run this same route. That being said, this is a great race to run with friends, and have a great time.

The post-race party was fun, and a party. It was very easy to get your food, and lots of places on the lawn to sit and enjoy.

The BCS Marathon is rated one of the best races in Texas. I enjoy running through College Station and seeing the people come out to support. It was a very cold morning, and usually is a colder race, so it's perfect for a PR. I love running through Texas A&M campus, and the tree-lined streets. It's a bit brutal at the end when you're running on the open streets. But overall, this is one of my favorite races! We did get a half-zip jacket after finishing the race.

I had problems at packet pickup because they didn't bag up all the bags. I didn't receive a bag for bag check which they said you needed to check a bag. I also got the wrong t-shirt size, but after sitting in the drive-up packet pickup for almost 45 minutes, I just called it a loss.

All in all, this is a great race, and it's great for the value. Come run and enjoy the experience.

This is one of my favorite races to run each year, but this year it went virtual. The virtual experience was amazing. There was an option for in-person packet pickup or a mailed packet. Since I live several hours away from Austin, I got the mailed packet. You could run the race anytime between April 11 - 30, 2021.

I ran my race on April 11, but I didn't get my packet until the following day in the mail. No biggie. It's about the mindset and getting it done. The only bummer about it is I missed all the fun swag in the packet. There was a finish line tape to run through for your finish, and a chalk stick to mark your starting line and have others write messages along your route. We may have missed the in-person experience, but race management supplied us with everything to create our own experience beyond a t-shirt, bib, and medal.

Austin in hilly, and I got the the easy end in southeast Texas. Everything is nice and flat here, and the weather was nice. All in all, it was a great virtual experience, but I look forward to running it in person next year. 10 out of 10 for creating a great experience with some great swag.

I ran this race for the first time in 2019 and was impressed. The Woodlands Marathon/Half Marathon is the last race I ran in 2020, and it was a great experience. The race is well organized and with a good number of people running the race. As a back of the packer, I never felt alone. I love running this race on the tree-lined huge streets because it doesn't feel like you're running through a large city. It's a great way to run a city with a rural race feel.

The expo:
You must pick up your packet the day before at the race expo if you don't pay for the minimal race day pickup. The race day pick up sells out fast, so if you want it and it's available, get it. The expo is small and takes just a few minutes to get through, but there are lots of freebies along the way. I got some "race dots," a number holder belt, and a visor. The swag for this race is great. The finisher shirt is one of my favorites.

Area to stay:
There are many hotels near the start line. The prices vary for what you're willing to pay. I waited until the week of the race to get my hotel, and it was less than a mile from the expo/start, and the price was reasonable. Staying closer was the best decision I made because finding parking on race day is difficult, and you have to get there EARLY. Many locals run this race, so many people are looking for parking spots.

The race:
There are corrals at the start, which are genuine. The corrals have opening and closing times. The race always starts on time, and as I mentioned before, there is a significant number of people who run this race. The streets are wide so that you won't be running on top of people and there isn't any jam up at the start. You are running on roads, and it's not the most exciting but running through The Woodlands and finishing on the Waterway is nice. The aid stations were always ready with water.

The finish:
The finish is my favorite part of the race finishing on the Waterway and everyone cheering you. It's very serene and an excellent finish in a pretty place. The finish area is large, and there's a lot of food to enjoy—tacos, ice cream, beer, pizza, and of course, your finisher shirts. There are many tables to sit down to eat, and it's a great party on The Waterway. There is a lot of walking involved to get back to your car, but it's nice to have a bit of recovery. The atmosphere is family fun in the end. It's an overall great experience. The medal and finisher shirt are some of the best around. There are no dinky medals here.

Run this race if you can. The price tag is a bit steep, but it has all the perks you want in a race.