I really do enjoy the Hot Chocolate race series. Anyone can show up and have a great time. It's a well organized race and appeals to the speedsters, and those who are just wanting to enjoy every moment on the course. If you're ever available for the race I highly suggest running it at least once. You won't regret it.

Packet Pickup- You can add your QR code that you get after registration and the one they sent the week of to your Passbook. It’s a quick scan of that and your bib and your ticket is printed out with your assigned corral (more on that later)
Expo: Mostly clothing, there were two clothing booths that sold clothes, decals, and other little runner trinkets including gels and decals, and the official Hot Chocolate gear was there as well. If you are eyeing a particular item, buy it. I had hoped to buy things that I was on the fence about after the race but they no longer had my size. There's also music and of course, chocolate samples. There are bounce houses for the kids which is great for those picking up packets with children, it gives them something to do. Also, Fair Park charged $5 a car to park, so carpool if possible!
Parking: While parking is ample and moves fast once you get into the gates, getting to the gates is nothing short of a hot mess. Expect to be sitting in line to park for at least 30 minutes, depending on your arrival time that could be shorter or longer, who knows. Also, it’s quite a hike to the start line so make sure you have EVERYTHING you need before heading out so you don’t have to make the trek back.
Corrals/Gear Check: Gear check was organized and indoors which gave runners options to indoor bathrooms and warmth before the start. Everyone was assigned a corral based off their expected finish time, and it was printing on the tag on your bib. I will say I didn’t notice anyone actually checking to see if people were in the right corrals. You could apply to be in a preferred corral by submitting proof of time, and I was happy to be placed in the second corral, and the race went on as scheduled and smoothly, I didn’t have to worry about weaving in and out people at the start.
Course: I really have no words, there wasn’t anything scenic about it. It’s always fun to run through the Dallas neighborhoods, but the roads were horrible due to construction. The volunteers at the water stops really made the course exciting.
Aid Stations: They were well stocked and spaced out properly, they had Nuun and the flavors were made known via big Nuun signs before entering the station, water, as well as sweet treats, such as chocolate chips, marshmallows, and M&M’s.
Post Race: There’s music, bounce houses, official Hot Chocolate gear for sale, as well as the line to get your finishers mug. The line moves very fast and they even have bags to allow you to take home your mug without messing up your car. There was also music playing so that people could stick around and hang out for the bit and just enjoy the moment.
Overall: I would do it again. It’s just one of those races that’s fun to link up with your friends and to have a good time. It’s such a low-pressure atmosphere that any runner can truly feel comfortable running out there. The corrals help out a lot with that so that you’re with people who at the same level as you. I will forever recommend this race to the first timer who wants to dip their toe into running.

One of the things I enjoyed about this race was that it was a weekend, and consisted of two days of running. In most races if you complete more than one event you are rewarded with an extra medal, in the case of this race that extra medal is a crawfish tray for their Déjà vu Award.

Race communication: This race offered lots of pre-race communication including emails leading up to race week with final information, such as course/parking maps, expo information, bib numbers, race guides, etc.

Packet Pickup: you have to pick up your packet before the race. They do not offer race day pick up, but they do have a proxy pickup. Someone else can pick it up for you with a copy of your confirmation emails and ID.

Expo: It was your standard midsized expo. It has security, bib number look-ups, an area to pick up bibs, and a separate shirt retrieval area. Very organized. There was also a table set up to pick up VIP wristbands as well, or to purchase an entry into VIP. Upon leaving you are greeted by the fine folks of community coffee and I may have gotten addicted to their King Cake coffee. It’s just delicious. Right next to that area Tasc, who has all of the official LA Marathon clothing, had their area set up with goodies. The lines were pretty long and I decided that I would wait until race day to purchase. There were your standard vendors, including medal holders, KT Tape, local races, a bank, doctor’s office, etc.

Pre-Race: Very standard, it was a self seeding corral and was mixed in with the quarter folks so we all started at the same time. I was able to meet up with a local Texas runner as well as fellow Pro and packet receiver Jen. We took our official BibRave picture and headed to our spots.

Race/Course: It was crowded, very crowded. It stayed crowded. I got to the point in which I gave up trying to fight for a pace to settle into. There was nothing fancy about the scenery. The only true scenic place you past is the old governor’s mansion. Other that, it’s just your typical out and back 5k course. Things did thin out a bit once you approached the bridge after mile one which is also where you hit the first water stop. Since it's an out and back course you hit another water stop at the same spot, it's just on the other side of the road.

Post Race: After collecting your designated medal you are given a bottle of water and sent down the chute towards the capital building and finishers party. Immediately exiting the runner’s corral there’s a recovery stretching tent and Core protein shakes. But the really good stuff is inside. Each bib came with a tasting wristband that gives you six tastes at the local vendors. There was so much food and beer, and it was greatness. This was the biggest finishers festival I have ever seen for a 5k/10k EVER, and I’ve done some pretty big name ones.

One of the things I enjoyed about this race was that it was a weekend, and consisted of two days of running. In most races if you complete more than one event you are rewarded with an extra medal, in the case of this race that extra medal is a crawfish tray for their Déjà vu Award.

Race communication: This race offered lots of pre-race communication including emails leading up to race week with final information, such as course/parking maps, expo information, bib numbers, race guides, etc.

Packet Pickup: you have to pick up your packet before the race. They do not offer race day pick up, but they do have a proxy pickup. Someone else can pick it up for you with a copy of your confirmation emails and ID.

Expo: It was your standard midsized expo. It has security, bib number look-ups, an area to pick up bibs, and a separate shirt retrieval area. Very organized. There was also a table set up to pick up VIP wristbands as well, or to purchase an entry into VIP. Upon leaving you are greeted by the fine folks of community coffee and I may have gotten addicted to their King Cake coffee. It’s just delicious. Right next to that area Tasc, who has all of the official LA Marathon clothing, had their area set up with goodies. The lines were pretty long and I decided that I would wait until race day to purchase. There were your standard vendors, including medal holders, KT Tape, local races, a bank, doctor’s office, etc.

Pre-Race: Very standard, it was a self seeding corral and was mixed in with the quarter folks so we all started at the same time. I was able to meet up with a local Texas runner as well as fellow Pro and packet receiver Jen. We took our official BibRave picture and headed to our spots.

Race/Course: It was crowded, but not nearly as crowded as the 5k/quarter run the day before. It starts out on the same course but continues on past the 5k turnaround point. You run through various neighborhoods of Baton Rouge with each one bringing their own unique spin to their water stations. The water stations were exciting, some had beer & champagne, others had donuts, or King cake. Heck! One even had some "grandmas" with donuts! The course spends a good chunk of the mileage running around the LSU lakes including running around tiger stadium. It was a very peaceful and serene course and I enjoyed the homes, and running around the lakes. If there's any complaints I have about this race it would be the roads. It was uneven asphalt and at some parts you had to be careful with your footing. It wasn't hilly at all, with the only hill being crossing over a bridge on your way out around mile one and returning back over it around mile 12. Other than that, the amount of neighborhood support you get is unreal. I never had to worry about a dull moment, or roads that weren't fully closed. It was a fantastic time.

Post Race: After collecting your designated medal you are given a bottle of water and sent down the chute towards the capital building and finishers party. Immediately exiting the runner’s corral there’s a recovery stretching tent and Core protein shakes. But the really good stuff is inside. If you ran the day before you could head over the the awards tend to pick up your Deja Vu Award ( crawfish tray). Each bib came with a tasting wristband that gives you six tastes at the local vendors. There was so much food and beer, and it was greatness. For the Sunday races they offered various VIP packages that included a catered lunch (oh so yummy) beer, bloody Mary's, mimosas, private gear check, massages and tables to sit and enjoy.

I love Run Project. It's a local race companies that truly believes in giving back to local charities and taking care of their runners. This was the inaugural Pumpkin Spice race but it was obvious that it wasn't their first rodeo. It was held at Panther Island Pavilion like most Ft. Worth 5ks so the parking was ample and close to the start and finish lines, and they had the typical vendors onsite in The Shack which was great for pre race. It was pretty cold and windy that day so I am thankful that Run Project decided to include The Shack as part of the pre/post race experience because that wind was bitter.

As usual with Run Project 5ks the course was super crowded, a lot of time is spent weaving around runners and walkers. This was a no stroller event so that helped out a lot, but I still saw a few strollers here and there. It was a basic course through the park and next to the Trinity River...no major scenery, but it wasn't bad scenery either. My only two complaints about the course is right before you hit the 1st mile marker the 5k course crosses with incoming 10k/15k course and since they start 30 minutes before the 5k there were definitely some conflicts with crossing runners. Secondly, there was only one water stop for the entire 5k at the halfway point, which I know might seem minor to some, but I just wish there was one more.

They had a spice station, kinda like a color run but with pumpkin spice flavored powder you could go through. Again, it was nothing major I had plans to skip it anyways, but with the winds it was impossible for them to actually get spice on anyone. Overall, it was a fantastic race and I would happily do it again, the swag was amazing (long sleeve cotton shirt, color changing mug, sunglasses, and finishers medal) and Run Project really goes the extra mile for their runners. I mean they had three different flavors of pumpkin beer for their post-race beer garden, that's putting in serious effort.

This is a small race in Waco, Texas, it was cold and rainy and part of the course was flooded a couple of days prior so some last minute rerouting was done and according my devices it rain longer by .37. Considering the weather it was a good race.

Pre-Race: There was not a big expo just a simple in and out type of packet pickup. The packet included the basics. Bib, long sleeve tech shirt, flyers, coupon, pencil and bracelet. This race didn't use a disposable timing chip and that had to be picked up the morning of the race.

Race Day: It was cold and rainy, but parking was ample and close. Again, not a lot of vendors out but plenty of first responder vehicles from neighboring towns giving plenty of pre-race picture opportunities.

Course: It was a looped course that actually had you loop through the finish line. It was flat, but the roads weren't in the best conditions at some parts. As far as scenery it was nice when running through Riverwalk park, other times you just on a sidewalk. You do get to run through a fire station which is pretty cool and rare for a race. The water stations were ample and well stocked with water and gatorade and the volunteers were cold, wet, and cheerful.

Post Race: There as plenty of food which I was impressed with for such a small race, and once again, all of the first responders stuck around for everyone to finish so create a finishing shoot lined with fire trucks w/ ladders extended, police vehicles, swat vehicles all with flashing lights. I hope this is the only time in which flashing lights are behind me lol.

Overall: It was a well run race, it started on time, the course was well marked and they made the best of the rainy situation. There was plenty of race communication before and after the race via email as well as Facebook. The race director was quick to respond to any last minute questions and I really respect and appreciate that.