Hot Chocolate 15k and 5k

I will say, I was skeptical of Hot Chocolate after the DC shenanigans of 2011 (i.e. disaster). Minneapolis restored my faith in RAM Racing.
I got here Friday from Cleveland and took a shuttle from the airport to my hotel downtown. Luckily, it ended up being close to the Convention Center, which is where the expo was held. I dropped my stuff off and went to pick my bib and such up.
The Expo: it’s a Saturday Race, so the expo is on Thursday/​Friday. It would have been nice to see the expo open an hour or 2 longer for any late comers (I’m just thinking the out of towners or workers), but if friends or family were also running or around, they could pick up for you as well. I appreciate the email that allowed you to download your qvc code to passbook. All you had to do was scan it and it pulled up your information. Volunteers scanned your bib to attach it to your name and put your name/​corral sticker on it. You went into the expo for your bag and sweatshirts. Same stuff as most of the prior races this season, but I do appreciate it wasn’t he old jackets that didn’t fit the women. Expo was small, but had the basic stuff and samples. It was nice to not be bombarded with people.
Race Day Location: Boom Island Park. I can understand wanting to come here for location purposes and to avoid crazy traffic issues. However, there’s no parking what so ever here. If you’re from out of town with no car, no, after where you stay, it was a hike. I ended up cabbing it over with another runner and 2 volunteers to avoid a 2 mile walk. People were parking on one side of the bridge and having to walk 1 mile or so over to the start area. They did have a bike check if you biked over which was a plus, but that’s something I’d like to see changed. Or at least have be start/​finish closer to the city. I totally get wanting the space for post race festivities but I’m wonder if there are other places around town that could provide the same space. Another idea would have been some sort of shuttle stops because a 2 mile walk back to my hotel post race was blah
The Course: no issues with traffic, which was nice. Really didn’t get to see much of the city though. Uneven roads, though no injuries that I could see. I didn’t get to see good views of the city until the second half when we ran along the river. Fairly flat, but do expect some hills over bridges and such. I wish I could have seen more as an out of stater :-(. Good water and treat support on course. Plenty of bathrooms and at the last ¹⁄₃ mile or so, good crowd support
The finish/​post race: spread out which was good/​bad. Enough room so you didn’t feel like a heard of cows, but it was a good ¼ mile to the post race party and shinnanigans. No problem getting the chocolate goodness, medals were given as you came out of the chute. Plenty of fun stuff for the kids. Decent overall
Maybe minor things/​suggestions, but at least we had good weather Today!

I agree with Meg’s review 100%. The race was really well-​organized and I was relieved that the 15K participants were not in the mix with the 5K event (whew!). It was the first 5K that I’ve ever participated in and I’m ready for the next one already!

Ram Racing puts on one if the best ran races in the Twin Cities. Race starts on time, 5k is finished before 15k elites make it to the finish line. Anderson Race Management provides chip trimming.
Bonus, chocolate fondu & hot chocolate at the end of the race.
Thank you @hotchocolate15k for a wonderful #15k race this morning. Well ran race, beautiful scenic course.
One tip, this race never goes down I’m price, search google for bonus codes for extra free swag!