One of the best volunteer experiences I have ever had. Everything was extremely organized. The swag we received was top quality and the finisher bowls given to race runners was so awesome. The catering manager told me Denver is uaually first on the tour of cities and Minneapolis is last. Next year I hope to run the race! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k - Civic center park - Race Tracks Near Me

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Signed up last minute, packet pick up was a little confused. I signed up for the 15K but was issued a 5K bib (didn't catch that until I showed up for the race and they told me my race had been run already). They still let me run the 15K, it was a nice course but a majority of it was uphill.... Note to non-local runners, do some hill training while holding your breath! Haha, coming from a much lower elevation, it was a little tougher than I expected. The volunteers were great, most of them were cheering us on! This was the only race I've ever done where you don't cross the finish, get a water/gatorade/space blanket, then get your finisher's medal. You cross the finish line, then there's a lot of space to meet up with family/friends, then you have to go find where the finisher's stuff is (they had signs, it was just a different flow than I'm used to). The finishing area was nice though, lots of space so you're not tripping all over each other. A lot of races are doing the virtual goodie bag... meh. Not a huge fan mostly because they expire early and I never really have a chance to check out all the stuff. Good race though. read more

Ran the 15K this morning, and this has to be my favorite! Very organized! Well marked course (with pacers)! And lots of tasty sweets! Went to the expo/packet pick-up expecting only merchandise vendors, but was pleasantly surprised by the free sweets! They had chocolate covered marshmallows, chocolate covered Nilla wafer cookies, hot chocolate, and chocolate candy. Aid stations along the course offered chocolate chips, gummy bears, M&Ms, water, and Nuun drinks. After the course, I went to get my glorious Hot Chocolate Finisher Cup of yummies (which I didn't even have to wait in a line for)! Pictures and results were also posted later in the afternoon--on the same day! Definitely running this again next year! read more

I loved this race. I got there early & walked a few blocks to the starting area. Sure, 7a.m. is early & cold for an October race but it was through downtown Denver. Once the sun came out it ended up being perfect running weather. I ran the 5k portion and positively loved the route. It was the most organized race I've ran this year & I've ran ten 5k's so far. It benefits a great charity, the hoodie is sweet (albeit runs small), and the chocolate fondue & hot chocolate were delicious. I will definitely continue to support this race. Also, it was on their website and in several emails that there was no same day as race packet pickup & they gave everyone two whole days to pickup your packets or have a friend pick them up for you. read more

This race was a lot of fun. The 5k started promptly at 7am and then the 15k started promptly at 7:50am. Since it was a little chilly, I appreciated their promptness. I also appreciated that when they gave out chocolate in a cup they made it clear it was chocolate and not water. The race was flat, which was a nice break from all of my hilly races. The route was great because I was able to run through downtown. It made it fun to see all the attractions downtown while running. The swag that comes with the race is a lot better than most races. The best part was enjoying the hot chocolate with the chocolate fondue and all of the pieces I could dip it in. read more

My hubby and I ran the 15K. This was a well organized race. It was freezing that morning waiting to run. We grabbed a cup of coffee at a nearby McDonald's until nearly race time to stay warm. The 5K ran first. Felt this was the only oddity that I saw. Longer races usually run first. The race was well marked and well run. I got cheers, support and high fives from volunteers and a few cheering kids throughout the race. I enjoyed the course and trained for the hills. I thought it was a great course and I thoroughly had fun running this race. Despite the weather, people did come out and cheer for the runners. I was surprised to see nothing, but water and Gatorade along the course. I expected fruit somewhere and their was none. Given the distance it would have been nice. I appreciated the chocolate and goodies at the end from the routine food choices that are generally offered in other races. The goodies included: hot chocolate, dipping chocolate, banana, pretzels, wafers and a Rice Krispie bar. It was a nice change of pace and a rare spurge after a race. I wasn't a big fan of the plastic mug. Women were the majority in this race. My hubby loved it. Said he was surrounded by women. Love the hoodie, but it runs very small. Recommend everyone go up a size. This is my favorite run so far this year. We will be running this one again. read more

My favorite part was the chocolate snacks at the end. The fondue and all the different dippers were so fun and delicious! I thought 7 am with a 0545 arrival was crazy, but running in downtown Denver with the sunrise was worth it, sooooo pretty. I got some great pics. The course and the finish at the civic center was great. Loved the sweatshirt and got lots of compliments (It does run small- I'm 5'5" and 150 and got the women's large - which was perfect but no extra room). I also agree that the 15K racers should have the earlier start time. I can't wait for next year!!! read more

I did this race last year and was so impressed that I registered as soon as registration opened this year. It is quite possibly the most organized race I have ran. The volunteer staff is so friendly. At the expo they were borderline annoying because they were trying to be so helpful, but that's better than the opposite! They were cheering at all the cheer, water and food stations. The expo was small but they had some big names there, plus chocolate. The race itself is a great course, throughout downtown Denver, well-staffed for safety and plenty of water stations. The chocolate all along the course doesn't hurt either! I can't say enough good things about the swag! The tech hoodie was the main reason I registered last year and it's still in great condition. The half-zip this year is high quality and I expect it to be just as durable and last just as long. The medal for the 15K finishers was a huge bonus too. Plus, hot chocolate and dipping chocolate with delicious goodies at the end can't be beat! The one critique I would have is the start times. I'm not sure why they started the 5K before the 15K but usually the longer distances get to start first so they aren't running when the sun is high and the temps get a little warmer. It was toasty toward the end of the 15K. read more

Good course. The hills were challenging, but good for conditioning. I liked the distance. The hot chocolate was fairly good as was the dipping chocolate. I could have done without the packaged, unhealthy snacks and stuck to the banana and maybe bagels or other fruit. The plastic mug things are kind of cool, but if you run this race several times you'll end up with a bunch of big plastic mugs. The sweat shirt was a nice touch. I was surprised to have no coupons or samples from merchants. I would run it again because of the distance, but it definitely needs better after race snacks that are not all high fructose corn syrup! read more

For a first annual in Denver it was done very well. Loved the sweatshirt and chocolate at the end was great. VERY happy they had a longer distance as an option as us distance runners sometimes miss out of fun themed runs that are restricted to 5ks. Would change - start the 15k before the 5k, then friends who are going together don't have to wait an hr before they race if their friends are running the 5k...and the 5k runners don't have to wait an hour or so for their 15k friends to finish.... read more

Well organized race. The chocolate was very good. I'm disappointed to hear about the volunteers not being treated will. Thank You Volunteers! read more

I walked the 5k to support my grandson Elijah Ramos who is in the St Petersburg, Fl Ronald McDonald house. I have been there and know what good they are doing. Sorry to hear about the negative. I was just there to walk for Ronald McDonald House. read more

As ambassador for the Hot Chocolate 15/5K Philadelphia I got the opportunity to come run in the Denver Hot Chocolate 15/5K. It was so easy to get to the start from our hotel. Since we decided not to check we can on the later side and were able to walk right into our corral no issue. The race started on time, my friend had doubts but it wasn't even a minute behind. The start and finish area was beautiful and super spacious it was easy to find everything and enough room for people to hang out and it seemed like a good majority of people did really hang out post-race. Probably one of the best laid out areas of all the Hot Chocolate Run's I've done so far. I absolutely loved this course. It super flat and goes right through the heart of the city. If you're looking for a cool urban course this race has it. The only bummer is there a jacket season behind all the rest of the races I was really looking forward to getting my hands on the 2016-2017 jacket early to help me promote the Philadelphia Run. But as always the chocolate was delicious and quantity of food larger than I could eat in one sitting. read more

We had a lot of fun at the race and will probably sign up again. I will have to agree that the start time was a little to early for me, maybe 8:30 would have been better. over all we had fun and enjoyed the finishers mug and music after the race. The sweatshirt did run small but it was comfortable and cozy. read more

I absolutely LOVED this race! I run a lot of races (mostly 10Ks and Half-Marathons) and this distance was perfect. The course is basically flat despite what some of the other folks said about it being hilly. The weather was perfect and that final lap down Broadway was as good as it gets. And the hoodie in the goodie bag - I love that thing! And the post-race chocolate etc. It doesn't get any better than that. Very well organized from start to finish. I will be doing this race again next year and hoping to improve my time now that I know the course. read more

The best organized race I have ever been a part of. Don't miss this one, they put a ton of hard work into it and it shows. A great racing experience! read more

Best 5K I've ever run. I respectfully disagree with other reviewers. The early morning start was PERFECT and the race 'swag' you get is well above and beyond other 5Ks. Love it! read more

Not my favorite race, but it was still fun. We were FREEZING. A 7am race start, in October, in Denver... BRRRR. Prepare yourself if you sign up. Also, for a 5k, I just don't want to work that hard anymore. 9am start? I'd still drink hot chocolate after. Your goodie bag/medal is the sweatshirt. It's a screen printed sweatshirt, runs very small, but it's ok. Otherwise, look at it as a donation to Ronald McDonald house. The course was fine, easy with a bit of wind on the second half. We were stopped at about mile 2.5 for cars that were going through, so that was a tad frustrating. Getting there proved the hardest since there were thousands trying to go down one street... Plan ahead and get there early or you'll miss your corral. The cup after the race is so-so. I'd have rather had refills of hot chocolate than the cup and "stuff" that was in it, which I didn't eat. I actually threw it all away. I only burned 300 calories, so I couldn't give in to eating anything... :-) All in all, I won't sign up again, but if this is what it takes to get people to move and sign up for their first ever race, go for it!! read more

Awesome race! LOVED the running hoodie and will definitely use that ALOT this winter!!! Thought the course was perfect for training and the chocolate was AWESOME. Well organized race - volunteers were awesome!!! read more

There isn't much to add to the the comments that have already been written. I thought the race was well organized but thought that 7am was a bit early for an October race. Packet pickup was well organized, but a bit bummed that there was no race day pick up. The course was awesome and the uphill from Lodo back to downtown proper is tough. Best part of the race was running south on Broadway, looking at the finish line and the street being closed. The finishers mug is plastic and probably won't be used much, but thought that it was a nice twist on an event. I don't need another t-shirt! The goodie bag is awesome with the hoodie and no useless coupons. Would do this race again with hopes that they start the race at least a couple of hours later. read more

I ran the 5K. Very well organized start corrals. The course was wide and easy, and it was a nice way to see downtown Denver. The hot chocolate and fondue were a nice treat afterward--a refreshing change from the usual bagel. I absolutely LOVE the sweatshirt. Terrific value for the money, and the proceeds to go a good cause. read more

I ran the 15k. This was one of my new favorite races! I will do it again next year! Great sweatshirt, no lines at the honey buckets, great route through downtown with plenty of room on the streets, awesome hot chocolate and fondue! Very organized! Worth the money and a great time of year to do it. Thanks to all the awesome volunteers who did a fabulous job of making sure the runners were taken care of. More events should be run like this race! Plenty of email communication to let you know you could not pick up your packet on race day. The only change I would make, would be to have the 15k start first. For those who were not happy with the swag at the end, it was a Hot Chocolate Race, duh! I knew the sweatshirts ran small because representatives of this race were at other events and let us try them on. read more

I thought the race was fantastic. I ran the 15 k and it had more twists and turns than I expected, but overall it was an interesting route. I was happy to have the early start (and like others, I made allowances for the expected weather). I live in Denver, so the early packet pickup requirement was not a problem. If I lived out of town, that requirement might keep me from registering. I thought there was plenty of advance notice that there was no pickup on race day. I definitely plan to run again next year. I also volunteered at packet pickup and plan to do that again next year. I'm sorry the one reviewer had a bad experience at packet pickup. From what I saw, it went smoothly and appeared that a lot of effort was made to accommodate everyone coming through. read more

I thought this race was well organized and very fun. The hoodie is really nice and I would way rather have some chocolate goodies at the end of a race that a silly medal. I also liked that it had a 15k option since there are not many races between a 10k an half marathon. Only thing I would change is the starting time. I'd move it later because it was pretty cold at the beginning. read more

I have ran many 5ks, this one had to be the worst. Start time was a little early for October in Denver. The 15k should have gone first. The course itself was nice. I like that I was not slowed down by slower runners. Lots of room to go around, not congested. I thought the whole thing was unorganized, race did not start on time. Some of the volunteers I had contact with were not helpful. I had trouble with signing up for the race on the web site so I called and the gal I talked to said I would pick up my race packet the morning of the race. That wasn't the case. When I inquired about it on race day the vollie told me I could however pick it up later that day. No one ever asked to see my registration email. I could have saved the $$ and ran for free. The hot chocolate was actually good, however, the dipping chocolate not so much...ick. The treats were not that healthy. How about more fruit instead of packaged sweets??? I was surprised to see that there weren't any vendors selling hot chocolate/coffee for spectators. One more thing, after the race I went to RR to pick up my packet and the service I received from the gal at the register would make me not want to go back. She gave me the wrong size hoody that she picked up off the floor and shoved inside the sinch-sac. The hoody had coffee or something spilled all over it. I took it back and was then helped by a young man with superb customer service and he issued me another sac with the correct sized hoody still wrapped in plastic. I know it was for a good cause but I will not be returning nor will my running buddies. read more

we were looking forward to the run, until we found out that you couldnt pick up your packets the day of the race and that it was at 7 am. this meant we had to make 2 trips to denver, we live in the springs. a friend got our jackets but didnt make it back with our numbers til very late sat. you should put this info in the registration. we missed out on our mugs. not happy. read more