Disclosed is a hot runner (100), including: a first plate (102) having a first-plate alloy; a second plate (104) having a second-plate alloy, the second plate (104) being coupled with the first plate (102), and the second plate (104) and the first plate (102) defining a manifold pocket (213); a manifold (224) being supportively received in the manifold pocket (213), and the manifold (224) having a drop (225); a nozzle assembly (400) being supportively received by the second plate (104), the nozzle assembly (400) connecting with the drop (225) of the manifold (224); and a nozzle-support structure (101), including: a first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the second plate (104), the first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the nozzle assembly (400), the first load-bearing insert (207) having a first insert material being stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104), the first insert material being strong enough to withstand a first high-point load (150) to be transmitted from the nozzle assembly (400) to the second plate (104) via the first load-bearing insert (207), and the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104) withstands transmission of the first high-point load (150) once the first load-bearing insert (207) distributes the first high-point load (150) to the second plate (104).