Welcome! I’m Caroline
follow me
Subscribe By Email
Search The Little Things Blog
Follow Me On Bloglovin’
Categories
Archives
Disclaimer: I received a free bib for the Santa Hustle Race in exchange for a 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!
Truth be told, I’ve wanted to run the Santa Hustle the last few years, but for various reasons it’s never worked out. When the opportunity to run the race with Bibrave came up earlier this fall, I jumped on the opportunity, and I’m so glad that I did!
They had an option for packet pickup the morning of the race, which I was really excited about, as I didn’t want to drive into the city twice if I didn’t have to. Packet pick-up started at 7:30 am, so I aimed to get there right at 7:30 so I wouldn’t have to fight others for parking spots. While I definitely don’t think I needed to arrive quite so early, I’m glad that I did, as I didn’t have to wait in line at all. I parked right across the street from Lucas Oil Stadium (where packet pick up and the start/finish line was), and parking was only $5 (they increased it to $10 right after I got there so it’s a good thing I arrived when I did!). I had no trouble picking up my packet and bag with race shirt, hat, and santa beard in it!
Something incredibly unusual this year is the temperature- race morning was 60 degrees and HUMID! I was hoping when I signed up for the race that I would get the whole “dress up in themed clothing” experience, but I decided it was way too hot to try that (and I was glad I did- I was too hot in my tank top, and I watched other runners sweating and carrying hats and long sleeved shirts before the 1st mile). I’m definitely holding onto the hat and beard though because I doubt next December will be so warm!
While waiting for the Santa Hustle to start, I took a minute to take some pictures of the reindeer they had at the finish line. How cute are they?! It’s so fun the race does so much to add so much Christmas cheer 🙂 Then I got the chance to meet up with Heather (also a BibRave Pro) who I’ve known since sometime in 2014; it was great to be able to meet her in person!
The half marathon started a half hour before the 5k, so I warmed up and got in the corral (not assigned, but they had pace signs up, which helped people to start in a way that was organized (I loved that! It’s frustrating when walkers start in the front and block the path, so the organized start felt good to me). While I waited in the corrals they were playing Christmas music, and there was a sea of white and red which was really fun! Right on time, we were off!
The course was marked really well, which felt nice! Around mile 0.8 there was a cookie station, and since I was running for fun and not time, I took a cookie and enjoyed eating it while running! There was a water station right around the half way point on the course, and about a quarter mile from the finish they were handing out cups of mini m&m’s- how fun! The volunteers were so friendly, and dressed in Santa gear as well!
The race went by quickly. It was partly an out and back, so it was entertaining to see the different outfits on people running past in the other direction. In the summer I adjust a bit more to running in humidity, but it hasn’t been really hot and humid on a run in quite awhile, so I’m not used to it anymore. Most of the 3.1 I ran I kept thinking “It’s so hard to breathe!”. Honestly, besides enjoying the costumes and thinking about how well done the race was, I thought about how hot I felt and how difficult it was to breathe- that part wasn’t so fun!
I cam into the finish in 35:17, and enjoyed another cookie and a banana at the finish line before snapping another picture.
This race was SO fun, and I would absolutely run it again! It was incredibly well organized, and the race organization provides some great gear to make it a fun themed race. As you plan out your race calendar for the following year, I would absolutely suggest the Santa Hustle as a fun Christmas race to end the year!
Now it’s your turn to share! Are you running a fun Christmas themed race this year (or have you already run one)?
