The expo was straight forward. The race sweater is a very nice and warm running sweater with thumb holes for those who like to have warm wrists. You even get the opportunity to try on sample sweaters and they have an organized exchange booth where you can pick up a sweater that fits you better (as long as one is there) and trade it for the one you selected during registration.

Parking is free, but rather sporadic depending on arrival time, and if you know where to look if you are from the area.

The race was very organized. I liked how the waves were handled with each corral, it didn't allow for too much clutter on the streets. The course was really flat and ran you through portions of Downtown St. Louis and out to Soulard. The aid stations were fun, they had different types of chocolates and marshmallows to snag if you can stomach that while on the run. The food/hot chocolate at the end is totally worth the run!

This was the first running of the Rockin Chocolate. There was a field of about 1,000 runners

The expo was small, but had everything you would expect. Packet pickup was a breeze. The expo location and parking was the same location as the start/finish line, so you were able to get familiarized with the area. Expo pack included a bag of chocolate covered toffee, tickets for free beer after the race, and coupons for other chocolate products. When you purchased something from the expo sale you received a free pair of socks!

There was ample room for parking in lots, and street side parking near the expo and start line.

The race itself was incredibly scenic with two laps around Lake Monona, and near Madison. The route was well marked with cones and "do not park" signs throughout the course. There were water/gatorade stations about every 2 miles, with food* located about every other station The finish line had your typical recovery foods (bananas, chocolate milk, cookies, bagels). The finisher medals were nicely designed, and most importantly, not heavy.

*If you are newer to running and are not accustomed to eating real food (bananas, bagels, animal crackers) during a run, consider bringing your own fuel.

The post race party featured live music, local beer, and chocolate for sale.

All-in-all a well put together first outing, but there needs to be more chocolate at the Rockin' Chocolate!!

The expo was very well organized. The actual packet pickup and expo were in two separate gyms, which made for much less foot traffic to cross to getting your bib. This is nice if you're just into grabbing your bib and leaving. The shirt pick-up was in the rear of the expo gym, but the room was very spacious.

Parking for the expo was metered, unless you arrive after 5pm when the meters are no longer operated.
*Edit: Free parking is available all day at some locations around the Expo. Some of the closest being the basketball stadium (State Farm Center), the south half of E-14 lot. (Thanks Julia!)

Parking for the race was plentiful, and free, and close to the starting line if you picked the right lot (E-14 or Assembly Hall, the basketball stadium).

The race is held in oh-so-flat Champaign-Urbana. The race begins south of the basketball stadium and you travel north into campus town of the University of Illinois. Travel east into Urbana, and work your way down to Meadowbrook Park which has unique scenery of a prairie field with art installations peppered around. Back to campus town where the Half/Full split occurs and head west to Champaign. Around eventually to the Champaign Country Club, and finally back to the stadium.

The end of the half and the full are amazing. You run into the football stadium, into the field, and the finish line is positioned on the 50 yard line of the football field. Super cool.

All intersections are monitored by either police or volunteers.

There are 2 or 3 very minor hills, but the are spread over a few miles. Aid stations for the first half are about every 2-3 miles with water and Gatorade, and one Gu fuel station. The second half had 3 more fuel stations at 13.1, 17, and 21. With water and Gatorade every 1-2 miles.

Only drawback is you have to climb up the stadium seating to get out and to find the post race food.

Overall, amazing race, and a great place to try to set a PR.

The course is very flat, sans two surprise quick hills. You spend some time in St. Charles river front area, and spend a bit of time on the Katy Trail. The bridge across the Missouri River was a nice mental break near the tail end of the race.

The porta-potty situation before the race is a bit lacking. You will be waiting no matter when you arrive.

The aid stations are well stocked with water/Gatorade, as well as Gu later in the race.