It took everyone a little while to get moving Sunday morning but we managed to leave Sandy Springs at 5:55am. However, we did not park until 7:20am This drive should normally take 30minutes, max. Traffic was insane. When we finally got to the pre-paid parking lot, there was no one directing people where to park. So instead of people filing in one by one and leaving no empty spaces, people parked wherever they pleased. This meant that we circled the lot searching for an open space.
Once we finally parked and got out of the car, we walked to another parking lot which served as the starting line to stand in a ridiculous line for the port-a-potties. Not only was the line long and slow, it reeked of poo. I still do not know how it could have smelled so bad so early in the morning. Matt and I were in Coral A which took off at 7:45am…while we were still in line to use the bathroom.
If this picture was scratch-n-sniff, it would smell like poop.
After we stopped gagging from the port-a-potty line, we joined Coral D and took off…slowly
So. Many. People. We spent the majority of the race dodging other runners. The course was well marked and not too hilly so I was at least a fan of the course.
I definitely felt every beer from Saturday during this run. I finished in 29:59 and it was the hardest 29:59 ever. No where near what I was hoping my time would be but sometimes it’s just not meant to be.
Matt was not a fan of our finish time either.
The finishers cup pick up was the most (only?) well organized thing about this race and super quick and easy. Except for the fact that they were cleaning the hot chocolate containers right where everyone was waiting in line…
I don’t really have any complaints about the finishers cup because, really, it is impossible to complain about chocolate.
The hot chocolate was delicious, chocolate dip was wonderful and there were a good selection of dippers. There was even a wet nap so that made the clean hands freak in me very happy.
I lied, there is one complaint about the cup: the pretzels for dipping were the stalest pretzels I have ever had in my entire life.
The race ended at the same parking lot as the start line so we found a spot of spare asphalt and set up our chocolate picnic.
Hm, a picnic table would have been fantastic
It would have been nice to end up in a park or somewhere maybe a little more appealing that an empty lot but I had chocolate so I was happy. After finishing our treats we headed out.
I had originally wanted to run the 15k but was talked into the 5k. Peer pressure. I am so happy I agreed to go with the group because I think they would have slapped me if they had to wait around for me to finish (15k started 30 minutes after the 5k). This way we all finished within a few minutes of each other and were able to head out pretty soon after finishing.
Back of the hot chocolate mug because there was a line 20 people deep to take a picture of the front.
It was surprisingly warm on race day (60 degrees when we left the house). Honestly, I would have preferred some cold chocolate milk at the finish instead of the hot chocolate. Also, I am pretty sure I would have been miserable if I had to stand around sweating in the normal January temps.
Hm, this post turned out to be way whiney-er than planned. I didn’t hate the race, I promise. The swag bag was pretty sweet (dri fit hat, technical sweatshirt, drawstring bag and piece of chocolate) and we ended up having fun. But we also agreed we will not run this race again.
Anyone else run on Sunday? Thoughts?
Anyone have other Hot Chocolate city stories to share?
I unfortunately have not heard a ton of good things about this race series.
Kerstin
/ January 14, 2013We did not have any parking problems….but we were at the exit ramp around 6.15am. Because we were so early we did not have the long lines at the porter potties either but I noticed the awful long line close to the start time….and the smell. Ugh…that was nasty.
I did the 15k and in my opinion there were a lot of hills. Loooong hills but the water stations were every 2 miles which was nice.
To be honest I would have prefered some bling instead of the chocolate mug at the end. I was too exhausted and hot for “hot chocolate” and like you said the pretzels were very old.
And how come you had a hat and choclate in your swag bag? I only had the sweater…..that’s it.
Overall I think it was an ok race and because it was my first big race I don’t have much to compate it to.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 14, 2013I heard the 15k was much hillier than the 5k…we got off easy! I don’t remember the details but I remember having to click something special while registering to get the hat (few people in our group didn’t receive hats because they didn’t do that) The chocolate was very little, like two tiny pieces. I have def run better races, but this one wasn’t horrible, it was just ok.
Karen
/ January 14, 2013I ran the Hot Chocolate 15k in DC in 2011 and it was absolutely awful! We had the same experience trying to get there – horrendous traffic, it was impossible to park, and even after getting there crazy late, we still sat around for an hour in freezing weather waiting to start. And then a lot of the race was along a still-open highway. Only good part about it was the chocolate fondue at the end! It ended up not coming back to DC after the terrible reviews it got, so it sounds like you all actually had it pretty good!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 14, 2013Yea traffic was awful! We even know someone that got so annoyed sitting in traffic that he turned around and didn’t run at all. Compared to some of the reviews I’ve read from other HCR we didn’t have it so bad. But I would still not recommend paying for this race.
Amy @ Writing While Running
/ January 14, 2013I have done races like that where parking was difficult, lines were really long and then you miss the start. It’s frustrating, for sure. But I think the best thing you can do is have a good attitude about it and look at it as an experience and not necessarily a race where you didn’t meet your intended outcome.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 14, 2013Luckily I am not a very serious runner so we went into it just to have fun. We still had a good time but would not recommend this race.
pickyrunner
/ January 14, 2013I’ve heard bad things about this race, actually. They cancelled the one in Baltimore because they ran out of fondue, hot chocolate, it started an hour late, and it was disorganized. So I’m not shocked that you didn’t have a great experience with it. It’s such an awesome idea though!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 14, 2013Yea after I signed up I started hearing bad things. Apparently people werent overexaggerating. You would think they’d learn from their mistakes!
Jill
/ January 14, 2013Hello there!
. I’m sorry that race was such a disappointment for you – it stinks when you are looking forward to an event and then it doesn’t live up to your expectations.
First time commentor here
I was just wondering if the race started/ended at Turner field? The background looks familiar and that’s where I raced my first half marathon back in 2011! I did the Atlanta thanksgiving day half marathon and I must say that race was extremely well organized and I reay enjoyed the course. There were so many spectators and volunteers cheering us on the whole way. I would highly recommend it if you are ever looking to race in the area again.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 15, 2013Hey Jill! Yes, the race started/finished at Turner. The race wasn’t awful but had a lot of potential to be so much better. I will def keep my eye out for the Atalanta half though!
allisonhayes91
/ January 14, 2013Great job! Chocolate is always a great thing to look forward to after a workout :p
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 15, 2013I couldn’t agree more
Running In Heels
/ January 15, 2013Hey! I nominated you for a Liebster Award! If you want to participate, check out my blog post here: http://highheeledrunner.com/2013/01/15/liebster-award/
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 15, 2013Thanks! Ill check it out
Libby
/ January 15, 2013We didnt have any big problems. No parking problems or bathroom lines when we saw that the pottys were all around the parking lot and there were pottys on both sides. Some people just lined up in the front and there was a second john in the back. IT SMELLED SO BAD!!! and the sewers through Atlanta were bad. I thought the police did well, I know they wanted us out for the Facons game! We had fun but for that moey probably would not do it again.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 15, 2013Overall we ended up having fun but I agree that for the price I wouldn’t do it again.