The Hot Chocolate is a run race and a Peachtree Road Race qualifier, so if you do well on the…read morecourse, use your time when you run on July 4th to boost your seeded wave. I have done this race twice, so you really have no idea what to expect in terms of the weather. It might be cold or it might be freezing cold. Make sure you have compression pants for this race, you will thank me later. I cannot stress it enough, do not wear cotton clothing, as it does not wick away your sweat. You will be running 15K (9.3 miles) and as you run, you will be sweating and all that sweat will be absorbed by your clothing and wet and freezing cold weather will make you extremely sick... not a good combo. So wear polyester fibers... or better yet wearing cold gear... This race is known for their goodie bags, hot chocolate, banana, melted chocolate, a bag of snacks and a very cool fleece jacket that you should not wear during the race. Overall, this is a fun race, something I would recommend at least once. [Review #491] (76th Review of 2017)

Date: January 22, 2017 Location: Centennial Park…read more I will definitely run for chocolate! This is pretty much counterproductive for a race but great motivation to run. The Hot Chocolate is a 15k/5k race. So that's 9.3 miles or 3.5 miles. This year was my first 5K Hot Chocolate in Atlanta, I've done races from other organizers prior to this so I at least have some comparison of what to expect. The price is not too bad in terms to what you get. The race itself was fantastic. Not too hot, and not too cold. I thought the race-day organization was horrible. There were no sign anywhere telling you where things were located. I didn't get emails about purchasing a parking spot prior to the race. The finish line could be a little better identified with overhead signage instead of just side signs. Expo: I wish there was an option to get it mailed home. Parking and location sucks! Swag bag: Typically, whatever the jacket is and a bag and that's it. You get a drawstring backpack + a full-zip, fitted jacket with a cozy hood. I would have gladly paid for the hoodie with my own money. I love the practical thumb holes and slimming design. Deep front pockets are ideal for storing your keys or phone. The nice thing is, there's an area to try it on and swap if you want a different size. I wore mine to and during the race. It kept me warm since Atlanta can be pretty chilly in the morning and was great to run in! Getting to the race: some parking, but limited. Parking cost anywhere from $20-$60. I thought the location of the race was horrible! It took me literally 30 minutes to find parking. The Start: 8:20 am for the 5K. Lined up in corrals, goes on a staggered start system, which is appreciated. During the race: I would say if you really need to drink often or more often than 2 mile increments, you will need to carry some water with you. FINISHER MEDAL Only the 15k runners get the new medal. Now, if you know much about the Hot Chocolate race series, you know that the finish line is the BEST part!! You get HOT CHOCOLATE! AND, you get chocolate fondue, a banana, Rice Krispy Treat, cookies and pretzels. OH, and a marshmallow! I couldn't wait to get those treats! Overall, this was a fun race that everyone should try at least once.

My first year both volunteering and doing the race. I had a great time. Lots of free beer along the…read moreroute. Looking forward to resting my feet.

Wow! Nothing screams community like the Peachtree Road Race. This was my first year running it, and…read moreI think I got in on the lottery a previous year but decided not to run it, being that I'm not a GA or Atlanta local it requires a bit more effort on my part to make it happen. This year when I applied, I made sure to also submit proof of time to secure an early Corral. I was accepted and made it into Corral B, which I was happy with - although a very early start while adjusting to East Coast time. I also needed to purchase race day bib pick up because I would not be in town on any of the four pick up days in the couple of weeks leading up to race weekend. I stayed at a hotel in Buckhead the evening before the race, and not terribly far from the start. However, waking up was a bit delayed for me and I knew I could start in a later Corral so I wasn't in a real big rush. I left my hotel around 610A to try to get to bib pick up and make it to my 640A start but that didn't happen. Bib pick up was a bit further back than I thought, which wasn't a problem but didn't allow me to start with the B or C Corral. I did however by pass several of the other Corrals and made it to D with plenty of time to spare. I felt totally comfy starting here at 7A and noticed many others with earlier times starting here. I had every intention on fun running this race. I really wanted to take it all in, especially being that it is only a 10k but one of the bucket list races. I've always wanted to run it and while it was split between the 3rd and 4th of July this year (I of course selected the 4th) and the numbers were way down from the usual 60k runners all in one day, I was beyond thrilled the entire time. My heart was happy jogging along nearly effortlessly and just watching the runners, taking in the course, high fiving the spectators, saying hello to the dogs, checking out all of the sights and businesses, getting my holy water blessing, all the while perpetually wiping off the insane amount of sweat or water that was pouring off of my face from the humidity. Never in my life have I been this soaked, other than a marathon I ran in a literal typhoon in the Cape. When my sister commented on a pic I sent her from the race, and said I was glowing - I thought to myself well about 5 buckets of water have dripped out of my face over the last 6.2 miles. This race is so much fun. It's an easy comfortable run. I was a bit anxious about "cardiac hill" and must have really thought I was about to run up Mt Everest because the entire race I kept waiting for it and not wondering if it had happened yet or if it was still to come. I think now that it's over, I may be able to pinpoint what they refer to as it, but it's nothing that'll stop you in your tracks - or it shouldn't I should say. I was able to run the entire time so there was no elevation gain that wasn't gradual enough to handle. I'm not certain if I'll one day run this course for time, knowing it better now but I really wanted to just soak (no pun intended) it all in being my second race back after everything we've all been through the past 16 months. I continued to choke up and get so emotional just talking about how grateful I am to have road racing back in my life. It nearly feels surreal to have been on a course with even 17k people. I can't wait to apply for next year as I really want to experience the World's Largest Road Race in all it's glory with everyone on one day. I do wish they gave out medals but they give out t-shirts which is their thing and I'm perfectly happy with. Staying the holiday weekend in Atlanta provided me with the opportunity to witness just how important and meaningful this event is to this community, and my heart is so full being able to have been a part of this. The news played coverage and interviews all day, the mayor ran it, a senator (not Jon, that's not why I'm giving it 5 STARS, I know! He's married but gosh that really would have made my day), Sara won :) which I'd heard before I even started and made the day that much better, along with many other elite runners. It was quite special, even if it was different than years past. Thank you to everyone who made this Peachtree Race possible! Fingers crossed I get in next year because I really can't wait to be back.

Prerace logistics: Could have been better. The packet pickup was split between two odd times on…read moreSaturday and I think all in line would agree it was a train wreck. Not a safe crowd of people at all. Race itself: Very nice! Well laid out, good course, good course support. Simple to get to the start line and out of the post-race village. In fact, the race felt smaller than it was, which means they did a great job with logistics.

This was our first time running this marathon which was in its 10th year. We were in for a big…read moresurprise as we expected a nice flat course. Clearly we didn't do our homework. The temperatures were in the 40s with gusty winds around 20 mph or more. It was our second marathon of the year and weekend and so we knew we wouldn't be comfortable. (The previous day Nicole and I had run in Chattanooga on Raccoon Mountain). The aid stations appeared to be about every 2 miles, which was good. There were three distinct food stations featuring orange slices, jelly beans, and Oreo cookies. To wash it down the electrolyte drink of choice was Powerade (blue, red and yellow) and of-course water. The course took you through at least three university campuses, a park system and quaint neighborhoods of Atlanta. I can't keep emphasizing the hills. They kept coming and coming! Despite the cooler weather which typically helps to increase course speed, this was not your PR course. The race swag included: a long sleeve shirt and a decent sized (although unattractive) medal 4" inches in diameter. Finishers got a lunch snack box, chocolate milk, water and a warming jacket to fend off the wind. Finishing in Centennial Olympic Park definitely was a nice touch and I felt like this marathon featured many different city segments.

The Atlanta Zombie walk is one of the best events of the year. Rain or shine hundreds of zombies…read moregather and shuffle from Oakland Cemetery to Underground Atlanta. Then they either catch the Marta train back or are forced to shuffle back on foot by the Marta police. Sure some zombies drink to much and maybe cause a little vandalism. But really it is not like the blood wont wash away after all. Dogs, kids, family, and friends are all welcome. atlantahorrorfest.com/ not sure if they are still the guys that plan it but they had done a great job in the past.

Do you want to smear fake blood all over your friends, carry adult sodas down the road with a bunch…read moreof strangers, drag fake limbs around, scream excessively at bystanders, tromp thru Oakland Cematary covered in nastiness, scare people at Underground, get A LOT of strange looks riding Marta? Do ya? Well, this event is for you!! We've participated in this for 3 years now, with some varying results. There is usually a planned route and some order but mostly people just get lost and smear fake blood down buildings and shit. Yeah, that's freakin' fun and you know you want to join. The cops don't seem to notice the open containers in your hands when you look like you got struck by bus full of chicken guts. They just gawk like the rest and continue on their day. Brilliant! Last year, we took a stroll thru Woodruff Park to pay the Occupy Atlanta protestors a visit. While shouting stuff like, "Give up Brains or give us death" and other lame shit like that we chased down unsuspecting protestors and looker-ons! It was hilarious. They have movie make-up people at the meeting place to assist with your make-up for a small donation. If you need help, I will spit blood on you, don't hesitate to ask. Come have fun with us next year, you won't regret it, well maybe not.

I love this race…read more I have done the full marathon twice now and it just gets better every year. The real reason this race is so great is the course. It really showcases the best of Atlanta. From Downtown, to Sweet Auburn, Inman Park and Candler Park. Through Decatur and Druid Hills, Midtown and Va-Hi, you get a tour of all that is great about Atlanta. And since it is run in the spring, all of our glorious trees are out in bloom. Warning, Atlanta is hilly and so is this race, but it is so worth it. The crowd support is growing - great on the first 13, dwindling toward the end, but in a few years will be up there with the other big city marathons. The water stops have now been "outsourced" to charity and corporate partners, and since there is a competition, the partners go all out., which makes the race a lot of fun, since every few miles you get to encounter a team of volunteers excited to cheer you on. If you plan on doing 26.2 in the peach state, this marathon will blow you away.

Worst marathon course I have ever ran (out of 15 different courses). It was all hills and…read moreneighborhoods. I flew down here to run and see the city.... Not to see what real estate you have to offer and the security systems and landscaping. I don't give a hoot what homes are in sale and who did their yard and what security they have.Only reason why this trip wasn't a utter waste of time is because I am visiting my best friend at the same time. The marathon itself.. one star. I am definitely NOT coming back to run this and nowhere close to considering it either. BUT 5 stars to all the volunteers.

Do not sign up for a Spartan race until you understand how they squeeze you for money…read more I saw an ad for a discount;however, after all the fees and upcharges, you're barely saving any money. No cancellation policy. - mandatory parking, bag check: $10.00 - mandatory insurance and admin fee: $14.00 - processing fee: $12.00 Total: $36.00 in extra fees!!! Of note: class action lawsuit on their "insurance" coverage Few in our group cant make it. They gave a "transfer" ticket option with a 36.15 fee. Naturally, you'd think this is the additional 36.15 theyre screwing you out of from a ticket that fully paid for. NO, after the receiving person gets the email about the transferred ticket, they want an addition 62.00 per person. So... They've made money from the actual ticket, THEN an additional almost 100.00 per ticket. Yes, I'm looking forward to it. Would I do it again or sign up of I knew all the above ahead of time? Absolutely not.

I have a lot of love for ATC and the running journey that they have inspired in me when I turned…read more40. Each year I love the Atlanta women's race which was 4 miles this year. We received beautiful, long, stem roses and metals at the end. It is such a celebration of community. I have also run my share of Atlanta marathons, 13 so far. Thanks for inspiring me for a lifestyle of health and wellness.

First time volunteering and let me tell you it was a amazing experience. Everyone was so kind and…read moreeven the participants were so happy at 8am. Having run and lead large scale events like this Jarrett and Katie got it down packed.

This is my 2nd time doing this race. They do give out cute shirts and cool looking medals. Is a…read moregreat charity and they have a lot of fun throwing these holiday runs. You must give it a try.