Hot Chocolate 5K/15K 2010
Saturday, November 6th 2010 at 7:00 AM Chicago, IL- Distances:
- 5K and 15K
- Weather:
- Local Weather
- Description:
-
The Sweetest Race in Chicago.
- Website:
- http://www.hotchocolate15k.com
Checking weather...
Race Reports
-
Hot chocolate 15K.
The weather was great. The crowd was awesome. The only change two changes I would make are: 1) start the 15K before the 5K; and 2) start the race in waves so it wasn't so stinking crowded along the route. It was pretty much a cluster the whole time.
by Kirsten A. -
my 1st hot chocolate
Great race, except a couple changes--agree with the other review about crowd control. I had to wait until the race started in the 5k to actually get in the corral. Also, I think there should be medals and put the hot chocolate at the finish area--don't have the runners walk another block or so to get warm. It was also freezing. No warming stations from what I could see, even though the website said they would have them.
by Heather S. -
Great race experience, but some growing pains
Expo was a waste of time. If you are going to require packet pickup at the expo, make it a Sunday race so people can go on Saturday instead of on a work day. Also get some more/better booths. Union Station was a great place to have it, just jumped on the train. Sure beats the hell out of Navy Pier (I'm talking to you Shamrock).
by Derick A.
Little disappointed in the "technical jacket". Having seen people wearing the jackets from last year and them advertising it as such, getting a hooded sweatshirt was a let down.
They fixed the corral/gear check issue that made me never want to run Shamrock again. The corral bibs were mixed in with the other numbers, which meant that I could walk right up after the race and get my gear. They also had bouncers for the corrals to prevent the free-for-all I have seen at "wave" races. Had to wait for all the 5k walkers and those who just can't tell time to get out of the way first (still saw a couple heading to the finish!). I would like to see them eliminate the 5k. You can't have 2, 15,000 person races under 10 miles on the same course and the 5k'ers seem to be complaining the most about this race anyways.
Only problem with the course was the section of gravel road at the turnaround. Ouch! Didn't use any of the 4 aid stations, but the volunteers need to back off. Quit crowding the course. If I want Gatorade, I'll come to you.
Headed to the chocolate after getting my gear (the reason it isn't in the finish area). Enjoyed it while watching Maggie Speaks perform. The actual Ghirardelli squares were only available in almond, so I didn't have any.
Hope they work out the kinks from this year. Bound to happen when you jump from about 9,000 runners to 30,000 in a year. Took Shamrock Shuffle about 5 years to do that. -
Poor Organized
Expo was cramped. Gear check was a quagmire. Starting corrals were too small. 5K walkers on the course during 15K start making it hard to run. Water station poorly managed and mislabeled cups. Cramped course w/ no wave starts. 5K clocks mixed in w/ 15K clocks messing up times. No ramp but huge curb to the final stretch.
by John P.
Weather was perfect!
over 1 year agoMy first Hot Chocolate 5K! :) Very excited and nervous at the same time! :D I heard that it is going to be COOOOOOLD!
over 1 year ago