Santa Hustle 5k

This was my first time running the Santa Hustle. I found out about it through Groupon and decided to throw in one last race for the year.
Packet pick-​up: Nice and easy at the Buena Park Mall. You got your bib on one side of the table and went to the other to get your sweater. They warned people that the sweaters ran small and let people try them on. I thought about getting a small and there was no way I could fit in it.
Goodies: They gave you a bear and a hat. I did not wear them while I ran. My goal was to try and place in the top 3 to earn a medal for the 5k. Participation medals were not given out. Plus the beard ran a little small. It was fun seeing everybody wearing their red outfits.
Race: There was a 5k and half marathon. They need to be a little more clear on the start. Some 5k folks started because it seemed like they were supposed to go and it was for the half marathon race or 10k, it’s been a while.
You got to run out of the parking lot, into Knotts, back out onto the street and into the parking lot. It was cool to run into Knotts.
They had chips and candy at the end with water. I’m used to bagels and bananas, and aside from that there wasn’t much else. There were some booths, but not as many as other races.
Cool things: They brought out two reindeers, so that was fun.
Weather: Cold! For CA it was cold. It was below 60, so I had a hard time warming up.

This was my second 5K in several months and this one was pretty fun. The Santa Hustle had 2 options, a 5K and a half marathon. Half marathoners received a special medal and a voucher for free admission to Knotts Berry Farm. I really wanted a medal, but knew there was no way I could do a half marathon. A 5K is just my speed, especially the fun run variety, where there’s a silly theme and people come with friends and family to just have s good time.
A word to the organizers… consider giving the 5K people a medal too… even if it’s smaller. I’d gladly pay more for the entrance fee to get a medal!
Back to the event itself… things I liked: it was very well organized. I liked the emails sent out by the organizers spelling out the details of the event (i.e., parking map, packet pick up map, etc.). I opted to pick up my packet the day before to avoid the crowd the day of. It was an easy process and took about 5 minutes. I loved the dri-​fit hoodie that I got with my packet. Very high quality and super cute. The only «bad» thing about the hoodie was that it ran very small. I ordered a women’s large and it fit more like a medium. My friend’s hoodie ended up being too small for her so she couldn’t use it and ended up giving it to her daughter. You also received a Santa hat and beard to go with your hoodie. Like the hoodie, the hat was small (or maybe my head is just way too big?). In any case, I had to use an extra Santa hat I had at home which fit better. Not a big deal but just be aware of the size issues here!
Other positives: Parking was free and painless. All the volunteers working the event were friendly and would cheer you on as you made your way through the course. They generously gave out choc chip cookies, M and M’s, water, and powerade as we sweated away… which is a total exaggeration. We didn’t break a sweat at all as we leisurely strolled the entire 3 plus miles. That’s the fun thing about this type of run… you can stroll, run, sprint, whatever. At the finish line, we were handed bottled water and a granola bar.
Oh, and I really enjoyed the holiday music playing throughout the course. The volume was just perfect and helped get us in the holiday spirit.
Some mild disappointments: I wish the after party was on site. Instead it was offsite at a Farrell’s restaurant. It was sort of anticlimactic to finish and not be able to immediately gather with fellow Santas to celebrate, cheer and dance. The other 5K I did a few months ago had an onsite after party with a dj, stage and music and it really made a difference in keeping the excitement going for a bit longer.
Also the start line prep was sort of uneventful as well. They just had an announcer guy telling us when to line up, when the thing was starting, etc. At the other 5K I did, the start line area was sort of a mini event, with music, several guys throwing swag out to the crowd, getting everyone fired up and excited. I have to say, these pre– and post– run details make a huge difference in the overall fun factor.
I still had loads of fun, though.
Happy Holidays!