Q: Is there a course time limit?
A: Yes. You must hold a 15 minute per mile pace or faster.
Q: Will corral starts be available?
A: Yes. You will be placed into corrals based on your race pace.
Q: I am not in the same corral as my friend/family member and we want to run together?
A: You are more than welcome to move backwards in the corrals. If you are in C and your friend/family member is in D, you can both line up in D.
Q: Where and when do I pick up my race packet?
A: All race packets will be distributed at the Hot Chocolate Expo. Please note that there is NO race day packet pick-up or after available.
Q: Can someone else pick up my packet for me?
A: Yes, please send them to packet pick up with a copy of your registration confirmation.
Q: Will you email me information closer to the event?
A: Yes, we will start to email you updates a month before the event. Please add sandiego@hotchocolate15k.com to your address book in order to make sure these emails are sent to your inbox.
Q: I have not been getting any updates?
A: Have you checked your spam box, sometimes we get sent there depending on your email security settings. Keep a look out for FUN FACT FRIDAY emails, Hot Chocolate emails and all email from RAM Racing.
Q: I cannot find my name but I’m sure I registered?
A: You can verify your registration by heading to the RAM Racing website http://ramracing.racebx.com logging into your account and clicking on “your races” in the upper right corner of the screen.
Q: I can’t make it to the expo can you mail me my packet?
A: No. You can have a friend or family member pick up your race packet just send them with a copy of your confirmation email.
Q: I can’t run, can I get a refund or transfer my entry?
A: No, all participant entries are non-transferable according to USATF regulations and non-refundable. You may not transfer or sell your race number to another person.
Q: I can’t run, can I still get my packet?
A: Yes, please stop by, or have a friend or family member stop by packet pick up to collect your bib and goodie bag. No goodie bags will be distributed after the close of the expo. NO race day packet pick-up
Q: I have a friend who would like to volunteer, can he help?
A: YES! We always need an extra set of hands! Please click here for more information.
Q: Aid Stations on course?
A: There are four aid stations on the 15K course and one aid station on the 5K course. Please refer to the Course page for more information.
Q: Where are the port-o-johns located?
A: There will be port-o-johns at the start/finish area and at the aid stations on the course.
Q: Timing?
A: The race will be timed using chip technology.
Q: Are strollers, baby carriers or baby backpacks allowed?
A: No. Due to USATF regulations and safety concerns, we cannot allow strollers or baby carries of any sort on the course.
Q: Is there an age minimum or maximum?
A: No, The races are open to all ages as long as the participant can race under their own power and can keep the 15 minute per mile race pace. They are considered regular participants and there is no price difference.
Q: Are dogs allowed?
A: No, pets are not allowed on the course at any time. Also please remember that this is a chocolate event and for your pups safety it might be a good one to sit out even as a spectator.
Q: Are bikes allowed?
A: No
Q: Is the race open to walkers?
A: Yes however please note that a 15 minute mile pace or faster is required for both the 5k and 15k race distances. A 15 min. mile pace is roughly four miles per hour, equivalent to a very brisk walk. If you fall below this pace, the race organizers can no longer guarantee course support. Aid Stations, medical support, portable toilets, and road closures will begin to become unavailable to participants. The local police and race organizers will ask you to either move up onto the sidewalk and obey all pedestrian laws or transport you further up on course to catch up to the 15 min/mile group.
Q: Can I change my goodie bag size?
A: You can switch sizes until 4 weeks before the event or until the event sells out,
1) Log onto your account from the RAM Racing website http://ramracing.racebx.com/
2) Open the “your races” tab in the upper right corner of the screen
3) Click on the View tab next to the correct race
Q: Can I change the race distance?
A: You can switch distances until 4 weeks before the event or until the event sells out.
1) Log onto your account from the RAM Racing website http://ramracing.racebx.com/
2) Open the “your races” tab in the upper right corner of the screen
3) Click on the View tab next to the correct race
4) Change away, if you are changing to a longer race, be aware that you will be prompted for the payment difference and if you are switching to the shorter distance you will be refunded.
Q: What if my Garmin, IPod, Smart device, is slightly more than the official race distance?
A: On race day, if the distance shown on your devise is slightly more than the official race distance, it just means you weren’t cutting corners—quite literally. According to the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) course measurement guidelines (pg. 20), a road race course is defined by the shortest possible route a runner could take without being disqualified. After the race, if your device shows that you ran a little farther, this just accounts for extra steps you took to run around other participants, obstacles, hit a water stop, port-o-let or stayed to the middle or outside lane.
Q: What if my Garmin, IPod, Smart device, shows a slightly different time than the official race time?
A: How accurate your Garmin can be is affected by trees, cloud cover, mountains nearby, etc. so go on your chip time when racing. The main reason your Garmin will register a different time from race time is due to auto pause or signal dropout. If you lose reception time will still move on but your ‘moving time’ may differ. If you look at your data you will see 3 records of time – Time, Moving Time & Elapsed time. To sum up; if you are doing a race, it matters not what your Garmin says, your race time is as per the chip – in the same vein as the Umpire’s word is final.