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Allstate Hot Chocolate 5K Nashville Race Report

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Allstate Hot Chocolate 5k to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

The Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k in Nashville was such a great race! This was my first event in the Hot Chocolate series and I will definitely be back for more.

Since I was driving up the morning of the race, I opted to have my race bag with this FANTASTIC layered jacket mailed to me the week before the race. This jacket the best thing I’ve ever found in a race goodie bag. I have tons of race shirts, but this jacket beats them all.

Race morning was REALLY cold, for us folks in the south. Nashville temps at race time was 23*. We were all bundled in all the layers. The staggered start took a few minutes, but I greatly appreciated this for a larger race.

The course was very clearly marked. There was a split for the 5K and the 15K and there were signs and plenty of people to direct us to the right path. Both distances were out-and-back so the finish line was close to the starting line.

Aid stations with chocolate? Yes, please. We had water, Nuun electrolyte drink, and cups of mini chocolate wafers.

After the finish, we were directed to the field in Bicentennial Park. There was some confusion because there was a line of people for the finish time photos.

Many people thought that was the line for the finisher mugs with the hot chocolate.

The clearly-marked “finisher mugs” tent was at the very end of the field.

Continuing with the great race theme, check out this bowl of chocolate goodness. It includes hot chocolate, dipping chocolate sauce, marshmallow, banana, pretzels, rice krispy treat, Honey Stinger waffle, and small rolled wafer cookie.

The hot chocolate was thick and very creamy. I was prepared for some watery, powderish stuff that tastes like a melted brown crayon. This was so rich and decadent.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see a Gluten Free Honey Stinger waffle. I checked and double-checked the ingredient list and it included a gluten-free flour blend. Just last September, I had to give away the Honey Stinger waffle because it had wheat flour.

On a frigid morning after this race, the hot chocolate was a great post-race treat.

Overall, this was such a great race. I greatly appreciated the Participant guide that we received before the race. I liked that the parking spaces were clearly detailed with driving maps. The website has plenty of information, FAQ’s, and resources to make for a great race day.

If you are interested in this race series, check out these locations and dates.