I had the chance to run the Hot Chocolate run 15k/5k recently in San Diego and I had a blast! Sign-ups were easy and convenient while I did everything online and the page was easy to navigate around to find all the information you needed to know about the race. It was sponsored by St Jude hospital where they gave you another opportunity to donate to the kids there for free medical expenses provided at the hospital made easy by donors like yourself. The expo was on Broadway Pier located Downtown on the Embarcadero on Friday and Saturday while you had the chance to pick up your BIB and a lovely swag running jacket . I was in and out in no time with all my gear and of course free samples of chocolate and marshmallows! Sunday was race day and the 5k (3.2 mi) started at 645 am while the 15k (9.3 mi) started at 745am at K street in Downtown San Diego right next to Petco Park. The race was well organized with live music and photographers taking pictures. As for the course it was one of the funnest courses I have ran with hills on top of hills. As I runner you always have to remember what must go up must come down! The course was well managed with volunteers giving out electrolytes, water, and of course sweet treats such as chocolates and gummies every couple of miles. The photographers were great while all the pictures they took were were uploaded that same day unlike most races where you have to wait a week or so to view them. Overall it was a fun hilly Downtown race with scenic views and unexpectedly I finished 1st in my age group and 27th overall! Looking forward to run this race again in the future because I had such a great time and the swag they gave out was awesome along with the post race hot chocolate, Graham crackers, oreos, bananas, and of course marshmallows! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - 1st overall in age! 39 never felt so great! 20MAR22 - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

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I decided to sign up for the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Run with my friend! Even though I'm not much of a runner, I had an amazing time. We got dropped off and then took the trolley back after the race was finished read more

one word: Hills if you love hills this is the race for you. they've found every single one in a 9 mile radius & mapped out the course accordingly, saving the biggest one for last at mile 8. you will earn those chocolate goodies, unripe banana & jacket with a hood. no amazing views to be had. no on course entertainment. no cheering spectators offering alcohol. no finish line beer. I've ran SD half marathon & SF half marathon & felt this one was harder. they charge $15 for parking at the expo. i arrived later in the day 4ish & found street parking. my place to stay was also w/in walking distance. it's downtown San Diego so the less you need your car the more money you'll save. there's also a lot of transients but there's plenty of race personnel & security. besides, they're probably too baffled as to why anyone would pay $98 to run anywhere especially up & down hills. it was kinda fun but no, i wouldn't do this again unless i really really really HAD to read more

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Worst race experience ever! My wife and I attended the San Diego hot chocolate run this morning. Upon arriving around 6:00 a.m. we reported to the race tent to pick up our packet. We were informed that we couldn't pick up our packet because they were only available at the expo the day before. We were aware that pickup was available at the expo but we do not live in San Diego and we had to travel over an hour to get there so like every other race we decided to pick our packet up the morning of. After telling us we could not pick up our packets they also informed us that we would have to pay $20 for postage to have them shipped to us. On the briefing there was a button to have our shirt sent to will call but the button was no longer active. Then we were told even if we picked up our packets at will call we would still have to pay $20 each. I believe some would call that total bull! For what reason would the two of us have to pay over $40 to pick up our packet that we've already paid for when we enter the race. We are very disappointed with the hot chocolate run and we will definitely never be doing it again. I went to the customer service tent and I spoke to a person named Pat. I refrain from calling him a gentleman because he was everything but. I explained my issue with him and we went back and forth a few times and he was totally worthless so I asked to speak to a supervisor. He said no supervisor was available. I didn't believe that so I asked him a few more times and he told me that he was going to call security. So I asked him " I'm just asking to talk to your supervisor and you're going to call security on me?" We had a few more exchanges and then he totally discarded me and took the next person in line. Worst customer service I've ever seen in my life. I found another person on property who informed me that there was a race organizer there named Travis. I spoke to Travis about the situation and he also said there was nothing he could do about it. I looked back on my emails and it did say if we did not pick our packets up at the expo they would have to be mailed to us. I overlooked the part where it said we'd have to pay $20 each. But my question is if there's a $20 charge for having your packet sent to you why isn't it posted on the event announcement. There was nothing mentioning that when we signed up for the race. Furthermore my wife and I have been running in races for years and this is the first time we've ever found a race that would not supply your bib and pack it at the race. We run races all over the country and that is the norm for obvious reasons, when people come from out of town they need to pick up their packets the day of the race because they may not be there the day before. These guys are an absolute disgrace and we were treated not only with disrespect but with total disregard. We finally got fed up with the whole situation and left the race without participating. So we've now lost our money for the race and and two entire packets. Over $100. I did send them an email with all of the details but of course, no response. I really didn't expect one. read more

I've done this race 3 years in a row now - the first year I braved the 5k and had the wonderful pleasure of getting my arse kicked on the 15K for the last two. This race is no joke and is notorious for the hills; they make you work for that swag! The 5k isn't very scenic, but the 15K does stretch beyond SDHS along the arduous Pershings/ Florida Dr. climb. Not too many spectators since a majority of the race is along these roads, but those seen through Hillcrest and Upas St. are always a welcome sight! Some water and Nuun electrolyte drink stations here and there along with bathrooms. In my opinion, there should be more hydration stations since the hills really kill you. You'll spot some interesting 'sweet' stations as well, but eating these are kind of disgusting for your stomach and in terms of hygiene since lots of sweaty hands like to grab at them. At the finish, you'll receive your ULTRA regal finishers medal. Make your way over to the white tents to claim your finishers 'mug', hot chocolate, and chocolate fondue. These mugs are really very lame since they are simply plastic and I'm always tempted to throw them away rather than keep them for a souvenir. Plus, the chocolate dip is yummy with the marshmallow, but they hardly ever have any plastic bags for you to store this messy mug in afterwards. That being said, make sure to bring your own and stow it away in the bag you gear check! In the end, I really just do it for the racing swag and will continue to do so! They have one of the best goodie bags after all- finishers medal (which always looks super nice although 2017's was a little less exciting than previous years) and plush sweater (2017's was BOSS). They usually have a drawstring knapsack as well, but for 2017, I think they went hardcore on the sweater so this year's was only a plastic one. No matter, I will definitely be sporting this year's sweater on the regular. Hoping to improve my time for next year's race, see you then! read more

Hills hills hills... this should just be called the hot hilly race! When people tell you "oh this race is hilly", no what they meant to say is "this race is ALL hills". Everywhere you turn, you'll end up on a hill. I would say a good ole mile is downhill and the rest are hills. I hate running on hills! It slows you down and it's not good on your knees. You start on a hill in downtown near Petco park and end at the same area. You run through downtown hills and then the Florida hills, up to Hillcrest/NP, down Pershing, then up to Golden Hill... The chocolates and swag are super cool. I got an embroidered zip up jacket... Pretty cool! Expo held at SD Concourse, not too big. Love that it is chocolate theme but didn't or couldn't eat so much chocolate early morning. The finisher medal for the 15k is adorable, one of the cutest finisher medal. It's a cool themed race but I would not do it again. The hills kicked my ass. read more

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I find that if I have something to train for then my competitive juices flow continously and I don't get stuck in a rut like I used to. Well, I had a month long gap between the Tough Mudder in Feb to the Ragnar in late Apr so I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 15k. At first glance I thought this was gonna be a cake walk of a run, mainly due to it's namesake, but the course map included the elavation and I realized that the hills were to be reckoned with. I was proud that I was in "A" but that pride soon went to concern when I found myself falling behind the elite runners. But after I settled into my pace the first six miles were a breeze. Then came Golden Hill at mile 7 and that's where I had to dig in and really pound the pavement. I still finished at a 8:03 mile pace which surprised me because of the elevation fluctuation but I can't deny the thought of the chocolate fondue played a significant part of my motivation. As for the goodies, the jacket is pretty awesome! I've already used it twice in my late afternoon runs and I really appreciate the reflective strips on the arms. But the chocolate post run box was the bomb. The banana, apples, marshmallow, and pretzel stick were exactly what I needed after the 15k. I can't wait til next time! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ok so this year I was badazz and ran the 15k. The inauguration of the 15k medal sucker punched me into signing up. I've done this race the past 3 years - all 5ks - and knowing the course, I know I was in for a treat. HILLS! Oh yes the hills. I thought the 5k sucked and here I am doing the 15k - what was I thinking?! I'm glad others can pick up your packet. My fiancee works at City Hall so it was just a hop, skip and jump away to pick up my packet without me making the drive and paying for parking. I remember from past years the expos weren't that interesting. The only thing that made my drive worth it was the chocolate fountain. So what irritated me was the fact the the 15k runners started 1 hour AFTER the 5k runners. We started at 740a and by that time it was already getting warm. By 8am the sun was out and I was already breaking a sweat in the first quarter mile. This is a love hate course. Hills suck and I've done worse (Temecula Half and SF Half Marathons), but to do them in the heat and sun. YUCK! The first quarter mile reminded me of the SF Rock N Roll I did last year with the first turns being hills - WTH?! I'll never forget my 2.3 mile experience when volunteers started giving out "chocolate chips". Why did I think they were chocolate potato chips? IDK... They were like morsel chocolate chips. Why did I grab a handful and stuff them in my mouth? Not even a mile later my stomach started to churn and I felt sick to my stomach. REALLY?! Before I knew it I was passing the strawberry marshmallow station and felt like barfing. GROSS! Who would eat that while you're running?! I felt there wasn't as many hydration stations for the amount of hills on this course. I was grateful for the downhills but geez. I was just happy to finish. I enjoyed my hoodie, finishers cup, complimentary hat and my medal. Mostly I enjoyed running with my friends! ========================================================= Chip 1:31 Overall 1652 of 6284 Female 927 of 4626 Female 35-29 182 of 821 Pace 9:51 min/mi read more

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LOVED IT! Great experience for a casual run with a group of friends :) I ran the 5k (shorter run means faster time to get to the chocolate!) and it was harder than I expected as the uphill was a challenge for a non-runner like me...but it made it all the funner for the last mile downhill sprint to the finish!! Hoodie looks great, and I love the fact that it is dry fit. The concept of chocolate is a great idea, though I expected the mug to be nicer (giant plastic thing thats not even dishwasher friendly). The chocolate fondue and hot choco was super delicious, though I wish there was more fruits to dip it with. Still, the run was overall very well organized, and I would definitely run it again! PS: If anyone was running and saw a bunch of yellow bunnies with capes (15 of us)...that's my group! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Chocolate made me do it! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

Split between 4 and 5 stars. It's an awesome run because you get to run through Balboa park, which is really nice. It's not awesome enough where people are outside cheering for you (there were a few but not a lot), so you're really just running. I mean that's not a bad thing since it's a race (lol), but a lot of the bigger races have a ton of people cheering you on, and I honestly feel like that's a huge part of the fun, and it makes the running just a little bit easier. Doesn't matter if you're a first time runner though because you won't have anything to compare to! The race itself was pretty well organized. There were water/nuun stations and snack stations about every two miles.The one major tip I can give is to not each any of the snacks unless you see a water station right after! The sweets will drain your mouth dry, and you'll be miserable until you get some water in you. If you wanna challenge yourself, I'd recommend the 15k! I ran with four other people. Three of us were pretty cardio fit, and the other two were not fit at all. I low key worried that one of my friends would get a heart attack while running. In addition, the two unfit people did not train at all. But, everyone made it to the end and nicely within the time limit. Even though the race says to keep a 15:00 pace, the sweeper at the end was really slow. I was behind the 15:00 pacer at times, and I did not see the sweeper at all. Lastly, honestly, the "hills" aren't even really hills if you run regularly.. they're like small inclines and the elevation map on the site makes it seem so much more daunting than it really is. The only real hill is the one around mile 7 that most people do have to walk up. Generally speaking, aside from the beginning of the race, weaving between people really isn't all that difficult either. Happy racing! read more

I am soo happy to have this run!!! ... Even if I am still sore and can barely walk !! I had a great time running it with my friends Maria and Amy! The theme is simple ! hot chocolate! and we are running for it ! Registration Prices are as follow: $60ish for 15K and $40ish for 5K... the earlier you sign up the cheaper it is! KEEP an eye for discount codes or codes for extra added free swag. We got a running hat from VAVI ! i JUST LOOKED registration page is already up for 2016!! is only $54 when registering prior to May 11th 2015. All participating runners got the following: -goodie back with: a ful-zip hoodie [ 2 colors available green and pink 2015 colors] -a cool little running bag [ 2 colors green and pink] -race bid # [ timing chip on the back - this is great for getting accurate time and cool videos of you crossing the finish line ] *lots of other free swag from the expo! the expo was held at civic center - where they had tons of fun activities set up for the runners! poster making was a huge hit! ... specially when hashtagging the following #fatty #thestruggle and of course #cate2016 !! congrats maria and chris!! and thank you Amy for that awesome art work!! moving inside the expo, there were props set up for photo ops using their marshmallow chocolate logos [ the blown up dolls logos see pictures] picking up the packets was easy and streamlines, not any long lines or long wait times! moving right along there were all sorts of booths! in the house representing were: naked juice, larabar, JVC, VAVI... there was also a picture booth set up by food should taste good? they were also selling merchandise their logos should say will run for chocolate instead of chocolate made me do it LOL.. oh well... so I think the biggest thing at the expo, was the chocolate fountain and marshmallow station!! Sunday was race day, waking up at the crack of dawn and carpooling to downtown we made our way down from north county. for the amount of people that did the run, parking was easy and we took advantage of free meter parking not far from the starting line! so they broke groups into corrals, based on your pace. faster people towards the front. and they were checking but we all wanted to start together we sneaked into corral K . sooo the course was great! it was def. challenging! but I think all the downhills made up for the uphills! there were timing stations at each mile 5k marks! we were also filmed while crossing the finish line and I think pictures will be available soon! throughout the course there was chocolate and marhmallows being handed out.. I will say the gatorade made a huge diff. while running! Cant wait to do it again!! read more

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What better an excuse to take a small vacation home to San Diego than a 15K (9.3 miles) with a finish that includes chocolate, right? Ha said the girl that was training for the run in the flat lands of Texas and containing an allergy to chocolate that limits my consumption! But in all honesty this made for a great finisher to my visit home. This was my first 15k I had no idea what I was getting myself into, had no idea what I pulled my two younger sisters into, but I can say one thing we all finished. I love my family! So they provided this map thing that stated elevation, and yeah this girl doesn't know how to read those, at all! It just looked like a three year olds drawn version of the Rockies. I had to chuckle because though I couldn't understand what I looked at it became clear as I started my journey. This is not an easy course and though it is a fun titled event there are hills, hills, hills, and guess what although it was a challenge I conquered that! It was a feat in itself that though I could complain and I did for the first 7 miles I actually enjoyed in the end; add that notch to my belt. For $70 (a little steep to me, but I'm cheap), cost at the beginning of open registration, you receive a Hooded Sweatshirt for the 2013 race (Women=orange interior to their hood and lettering/ Men=black interior to their hood and lettering), which by the way I love, have washed multiple times and the logos are still going strong. A finishers mug (plastic, was hoping ceramic, but still awesome) filled with chocolate fondue and various sweet treats to dip (wafer cookie, ONE marshmallow, banana, pretzels, rice crispy) along with a hot cup of ... chocolate! By the way hot chocolate after logging 9.3 miles is painfully disgusting to ingest, ha. Honestly I would gladly do this run again maybe give it a go out here in Dallas, though always could use an extra excuse to travel home. read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - 15K destroyed. 2013 FINISHER mug! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

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Fun fun fun run. This event was super organized and a great first 5K experience. Running with friends and getting hot chocolate dipping treats with a super cool jacket was awesome. Highly recommend for everyone since folks can walk or run! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Treat post 5k - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

This is my second year running the event, and I can't think of anything bad to say about it...other than, maybe...medals would be nice.../hides The course can be tough. The first year I ran with some friends, and I had to lie to them the entire way - "This is the only hill, you can do it!" and then on the next hill, "This is the last hill, you got this!" and then on the next hill, "Last hill, I promise!" But if you train hills, or if you allow yourself a chance to walk, you'll be fine. It's a nice course from the front of Petco through the streets of San Diego, and you definitely can PR, despite the hills (make your time up on the downslope!) The chocolate at the end is a nice thought, but seriously too sweet and rich for an after-run snack. I loved the hot chocolate, but I couldn't even contemplate eating what was in the finisher's mug. It went home with me, and was reheated for consumption by three people later that day. It is nice that they gave the finisher's mug, instead of the plastic trays they had last year, but once the chocolate was discarded, it's kind of like...eh, what do I do with this now? I have some ideas, but for right now, both of them are in my cupboard. A medal would have been nice - those I display. But a big partitioned mug? Hm. I will say that they have the BEST goodie bags EVER. I liked the windbreaker that they gave out last year, though it didn't make it through very many washes before the lettering started to fade off of it. I still wear it, but all the signs that it was a Hot Chocolate Run jacket are now gone. But the hoodie that they gave away this year is FANtastic. It fits so perfectly, and it's so freaking warm. I wore it running through Central Park on a couple March mornings, and it kept me nice and toasty. Too toasty - it had to come off halfway through my long run, but it definitely served the purpose. I'm already eyeballing the jackets they're giving away in 2014! If you're running the 5k, know that you'll be stuck behind a lot of people who are content to walk the whole thing. It doesn't matter what corral you're assigned to, or where you actually end up starting (the start line organization is non-existent). You're going to be dodging and weaving around way more walkers than you'd believe. read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - "Finisher's Mug". That hot chocolate is delicious! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

I don't know what to say about this race that hasn't already been said. The 15k course was a challenge but the water/chocolate stations every 2 miles or so felt like the perfect time for a "pick me up" to give you a boost of energy to keep pushing through. The events for the pre & post race were well organized, the expo to pick up your race pack was no big deal but it was really easy to get your stuff & be in & out. The bag check at the race was fast & easy, the volunteers were nice & helpful. One of my favorite things about this race was being able to look up your results right away on the website, & a day later you're able to see video of when you crossed the finish line at the end of the race. There are a lot of cool extras you get with this race, it's something for every type of running great gear (the hoodie & bag), & nice creative medal, cool post race snacks (I didn't think I'd care much for the chocolate but after that race I devoured everything in that mug), & a challenging course that I think competitive runners will enjoy too. It's totally worth the experience & early registration for next years race on March 19th, 2016 is $54. The hoodie & finishers medal you get makes that worth it alone. 15k finished 1:13:07 Overall place: 195th/6311 Male: 137th/1660 Age group: 27th/301 read more

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This was the second Hot Chocolate run in San Diego. I do love the swag of this event. This is the only place that I have gotten a tech sweatshirt. The majority of the events, you get a shirt. What do I love about this event, well the distance for one. It's roughly nine miles so even if you don't train properly you are guaranteed a finish. Let's talk about the finish, so there's no beer but who can resist chocolate fondue at the finish line. Need I say more? I am definitely game for next year. The only thing I wish they would do is to give out actual medals instead of the souvenir plastic cups. read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - The prize - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

-very organized....tons of people but the corral system helped keep it organized -hilly course, fun running through the blocked off streets of downtown -cute hoodie -expo was kind of lame, wish I didn't have to go to that to get my packet -overall, would definitely do again! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Finisher's mug - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

Here's a review of a 5k from a foodie who frankly doesn't like running. Actual rating 3.5. One of my coworkers is always encouraging people to come join her on activities. Several months back she managed to convince me and another coworker to do a 5k with her boyfriend and some of her friends. As my 2019 resolution is to try to find ways to be more physically active, I joined as 5ks are generally seen as more "social" and attract a wider group of people other than the super competitive running types. For the most part registration was straightforward. As this was my first run I just registered online. With a promo code I was able to obtain a unique swag - a phone holder that you can strap to your arm as you work out. I ended up using this for my run as this eliminated the need for me to go to gear check. The most important thing to know is that there is NO RACE DAY PICKUP for either swag or bib so to obtain your stuff you have to go to an expo, which is located in the San Diego Concourse. There are two days for pickup. Once you arrive you can pick up your bib and if you need to switch sizes for your hoodie there's an opportunity to do so. Various vendors are also there to promote active lifestyle products. I thought that the free samples selections were meh but they had interesting gear/clothes for purchase. I really do like the hoodie made for 2019: it looks to be light and for females it was in a nice burgundy color. Parking situation: I highly advise against using any of the recommended parking suggested in the participant guide. They charge $15/$20 for the entire length of the expo/run and not to mention there's plenty of competition for limited space. If you can run/walk a 5k/15k you can easily park on Park-It-on-Market for expo and 6th and K Parkade on race day, which only charges $1/hr. Race day is organized into corrals, with the fastest people in the first corral and running for time whereas people in the later corrals are for the not-so-fast/competitive times who just want to have a good time. Even though my coworkers and their friends are in different corrals, we managed to start together. Observations during the run: - Luckily I had music on otherwise this run would've been boring. - 5k only has 1 station for chocolate and drinks, 15k has 4. For the 5k they only gave you a few pieces of chocolate. I think it reminded me of the chocolate chips that you would normally put in your cookies. Not expecting gourmet chocolate but considering that this was a *hot chocolate* run it was a bit disappointing. - You only get the medal on the 15k. Dunno if I could ever love running that much to even attempt this. - THE HILLS. Unfortunately I wasn't able to run the entire thing so I tackled it strategically. I ended up with a time of somewhere around 40ish minutes. - The finisher's mug. This is one of the most unique swag I've ever received. It's a mug divided into several sections: center for hot chocolate and things on the side for food. One section has chocolate fondue that you can use to dip your banana/pretzels/marshmallow/stroopwafel/Rice Krispie. Unlike the medal I would definitely do the 5k again just to get another finisher's mug as I'm a sucker for anything sweet and salty. As this was my first 5k I'm happy that I had a positive experience. With that being said while I may never develop the passion for running as I have with food/travel to tackle multiple 5ks in a year or do it solo, I wouldn't mind doing annual/semi-annual 5ks with likeminded and physically capable people. Also helped tremendously that I had a very good group of people to do this with - hopefully I'll get plenty more opportunities like this with them in the future. read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

I'm done. Well, the date was changed for the run because there was a double booked event going on that they didn't want to disturb. So they changed it to a week later. Luckily, I live here so it wasn't to much of a burden for me but I felt bad for all the out of towners that planned to do this race. I was sadly disappointed at this years hot chocolate race. Previous years it the quality of the race was much better. The jackets, the goodie bags, even the aid stations throughout the course was much better then now. First off, the jackets ran a bit bigger than usual. I guess its a way to make people feel like they lost weight which was a nice ego booster. the issue was that if you wanted to exchange your jacket for a smaller one, well, pray that you exchanged your's early enough. There wasn't enough jackets in the different sizes to accommodate everyone. Maybe poor planning or just poor sizing, either way, its sucked. I assumed my size was L for this jacket since the last jacket I have was L but nope, since they change it up so did the fit. oh, and there was no year on the jacket either. The goodie bags well, was plastic with a draw string! What?! What happened to the nice fabric ones? Boo! not cool. To add to the disappointment, the bags didn't come with much goodies nor was the expo that big to get any goodies. Most expos have some handout of protein bars or drinks...nope. i think I got a pair of glasses and chap-stick. Also, the pins for the bib and the plastic zip tie for the bag check was already looped! omg! so the plastic zip tie was useless. Day of the race: Parking, not a problem. Walking and finding the spot, easy. Saw the 5k's start and then the 15k corrals lining up which a continuation of the lettering system. The corral system was hella confusing at first because it was not indicated on the website where the corrals would start. The 5k's corral went from A-H and then the 15k's corral went from I-O. Everyone was wondering is there that many people running the 15k if the letter started from A? OMG...we're going to be in our corral forever!!!! The course...is BRUTAL. I knew it was going to be nothing but hills, but that 7th mile hill was steep and sideways. My legs were burning up to say the least. There was nothing exciting about the run in terms of entertainment or even people cheering you on. No high school bands, music or anything to keep you motivated in going. For a hot chocolate run, there was no chocolate stations as promised. No chips, no kisses or flavored chocolate. The only sweet thing I got was a caramel marshmallow by accident thinking it was the water station. It was poorly indicated and easily could of passed it up. By the final stretch, my friend and I were with the 14 mile pacer and than out of no where, I fell. The runner around me kindly stopped and helped me up. They continued running while my friend stayed with me because I had a shooting pain up my leg (later to find out I sprained it severely and have a hairline ankle fracture.) Once i passed the finish line I b-lined to the med tent...well that was pointless. I told the girl what happened and she just looked at me and crappily wrapped ice on my ankle. That's it. that was not a med tent...it was just a ice dispensary. And the ice bag wasn't even properly wrapped and within 10 steps it fell off. Amature hour at its best. The chocolate cup was fine, the medal was nice and sturdy but overall, if I didn't have my running partner with me I would've been bored AF. read more

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Running for chocolate... People do it. Many, many, many people do it. In fact, there were thousands upon thousands of pumped-up runners at this annual San Diegan event. The turn-out actually shocked me! I hadn't before registered, but sInce this race--which used to be simply a 5K--was now sweetened with a 15K and an inaugural 15K medal to boot, I bit. You know, themed events make running even more fun. Hot Chocolate, however, takes theming seriously: everywhere I turned, there was more chocolate! Not only were the medals candy bar-themed, and not only was hot chocolate and chocolate fondue awaiting your triumphant return across the finish, but chocolate bites and kisses were passed out along the 15K's run as well! What a great idea! I mean, there were water and Gatorade stations along the route, as you'd expect, but having chocolate available--a little sugar rush for an extra push--was quite creative! Besides the chocolate and the medal, though, there was another extra-cool incentive to run, one that was not only unique, but perfectly fitting: cozy, fleece-lined, full-zip hoodies! Hot Chocolate--the run, the fun, the chocolate edge, the stylish swag--everything about it deserves applause! read more

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RUN for Chocolate! The Hot Chocolate 15/5k Inaugural race took place on Sunday, March 25th and this sold out event seemed to be a huge success for the event organizers. I signed up for the 5k at the Carlsbad Marathon expo in January and received a cool hat that I'd definitely continue to wear in the future. These hats were on sale at the race for $10 so I felt that was a huge bonus. In addition, each participant received a black wind and water resistant running jacket in lieu of a medal. Personally, I would've rather had a medal to add to my collection but it's neat to get something different from time to time. Packet pick up was nicely organized. They provided two locations to pick up your packets; one in North County and one in San Diego. This was very much appreciated by us North County folks since we usually have to make two trips for those San Diego races. This 5k course is not flat so don't expect to get a PR - although, I know many who did. The course was particularly hilly which was something that I wasn't expecting. After my hilly 30 mile bike ride and 2 mile brick run the day before, I have to admit I struggled a little on those hills. If you are a chocoholic like many I know, you'd love the post race party. After your finish, there was chocolate fondue, hot cocoa and Ghirardelli chocolate squares for you to enjoy. Included in your chocolate fondue spread was a pretzel, rice crispy treat, banana, marshmallows and apple slices. I wish they included strawberries which is one of the quintessential pairings. The live band at the post party was pretty entertaining. Since we were finished with our race well before 8am, it was kind of funny to see folks grooving to the tunes....good people watching! Overall, I thought the race was organized well and I'd certainly do it again. Since this was the first event in San Diego, here's where I feel there is run for improvement: --Start Corrals: not very organized. I was in group B and I tried to make my way to this area and couldn't really tell where the corrals started and ended. --Water: the water at the aid station seemed to have a really bad taste. Urgh. I spit it out immediately. --Let folks pick what they want in their fondue spread rather than having it prepared in advance. There was a LOT of waste. With all the homeless people we saw along the course, this didn't settle well with me. --Make fondue cartons eco-friendly: 7,500 cartons in the garbage was a lot of waste. read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

One of my favorite races - wish they had a full so they can offer a medal on top of the great things that accompany this race. 2014 race includes: 1) Awesome swag - no other race can compare (except Disney). 2) Great post-race food (rice krispies, pretzels, bananas, marshmallows and a good amount of melted chocolate goodness). 3) The energy from the runners - was it the chocolate anticipation? 4) Ample parking and organized traffic. 5) HILLS! Definitely not a fun run... but a good training for upcoming hilly races like La Jolla or Safari Half. The expo can improve with better & more vendors. read more

Awesome race! First time doing it this year, and it just so happens it's the first year they hand out medals for the 15k! I like how everyone gets sweaters, and it's not just the cheap kind! The medal looks nice, one of the bigger medals I've had. Post race finishers cup included lots and lots of chocolate, bananas, rice crispies, and other goodies. Race was very organized overall! The course took me completely by surprise! I had NO idea of all the hills in this race! I was dying! Nice training for the upcoming LJ half though! More than enough water stations for me throughout the course. Good race! read more

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I JUST finished this race a few hours ago and it was the cutest/funnest race so far!Normally I wouldn't wish for a gloomy morning...but when you get a cup of Ghiradelli hot chocolate waiting for you at the finish line...it was perfect! Other treats in my finishers mug included:a marshmallow, banana, crackers pretzels and of course the chocolate fondue to dip it in! It also came with a moist towelette to clean your chocolaty fingers! They also had a table out with plastic bags so you can wrap your treats and take it to go! I ran the 5k with a coworker and be prepared for a short but hilly race! Most inclines were relatively short except for the one big hill right around mile two....but the upside is you get to run downhill and carry that momentum to the finish line! Overall very well organized race! Had a minor hiccup at the expo bc they said someone picked up my bib already...which surprised me! So hopefully they do a more secure pick-up in the future... But all was taken care of bc they were able to issue me a new bib! The long sleeve is gender specific as are the swag bags (purple for girls, blue for the guys) I was impressed with the quality of the long sleeve and loved the details! Black long sleeve hoodie...with a back zipper pocket and holes in the sleeve to put your thumbs through! I also loved that they had a "try on" station...if the fit wasn't right you can swap it out for another size! I'd run it again in a heartbeat...so worth it! read more

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I'm torn between 4 stars and 5 stars, but I'll bump this race up to 5 stars because of the following: - Affordable: Signed up later, so I paid $64+fees for the 15K - Swag: jacket fits nicely and is functional - Bling: sweet medal! It's definitely one for the books - Hills were chiiiiiillll, but I struggled because I did not train (ran once in the 2 months before it). This is nothing compared to SF or even UCSD's notorious hill in Revelle along campus loop (clockwise!) - Post-race fuel: banana for electrolytes, delicious hot chocolate with other snacks are always a plus (beware if you're lactose intolerant!) I think there could be improvement on the following, but it may result in higher prices: - Course: starts from downtown, so it's not as "scenic". It's pretty basic - Course fuel: you may want to consider bringing your own. a piece of marshmallow, M&Ms, etc. aren't the best for refueling. I regret not bringing shot bloks or fruit chews. I wish they had other chocolate-infused goodies that actually provided a bit more energy. - Porta potties were pretty unclean by the time we got there (ran out of toilet paper)... The Nike SF half had cleaner, better maintained ones. They may want to put something in each porta potty to break down the horrible odor. Just get in and get out quick! This is a race that you'll have to do at least once, particularly the 15K with all your friends. Seriously, go big or go home! If anything, you can definitely run the ones in other cities/states depending on your schedule. I think I'll try the one in SF next year! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Finisher's medal! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

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Beware the HILLS! The organizers of the 15k race definitely make you earn that swag, but I think the race was totally worth it. If you sign up early enough, it's about ~$60 with the fees included. That includes a jacket that is of pretty good quality, a medal, and a small assortment of chocolate goodies. The Expo: Small, but isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've been to several of these expos already and so I just came to pick up my swag, take a quick tour of what these vendors had to offer, and left. I even ended up picking up a foam roller while I was there. The Race: So many hills. You think that after a hill, you're done. You couldn't be more wrong. There are hills sprinkled throughout the 9.3 miles. There are a few flat regions and even some downhills, but mostly, it's uphill. Even the start was on a hill. Tsk tsk tsk. Yes, I gripe about the hills, but in the end, I did just fine. There were a good amount of water stations and even some sweet stations (M&Ms, strawberry marshmallows, etc). I even got some negative splits in there somewhere. The Post Race Party: The medal is usually why I run and this was no exception. The medal is unique is that it's in the shape of a chocolate bar with scenery of San Diego embedded onto it. It's definitely not a small medal either. You also get a plastic mug that has some chocolate items in it (Piroruettes, hot chocolate, melted chocolate, and some pretzels and marshmallow to dip into the melted chocolate). Everything is organized really well. They have a bunch of meet up signs from A - Z so you can coordinate a meet up with someone post race really easily. I loved this race for its challenges and the theme. I mean, who wouldn't run for chocolate? Chip time: 1:21:06 Pace: 9:13 min/mile read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Medal and hot chocolate goodies - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 15k for no good reason other than I love running and I love chocolate. This was my first time running the 15k distance, but having run a couple half marathons, I felt confident that I would be fine. In retrospect, I should have studied the course map a little more closely because the majority of the race was uphill. In fact, it felt like the first six miles were all uphill. Unless they change the course next year, please for the love of God, throw in some hill training before race day. You will thank me later. Pros: -The theme was fun. My friend and I dressed as Oompa Loompas. There weren't a lot of other costumes (I only remember 3 other people I saw who were Wreck-It Ralph characters and the Swiss Miss girl), but the theme was still fun. -The zip-up jacket they gave us was legit. I wear it all the time. -Pretty sweet medal for 15k finishers. -Your entry fee goes to the Ronald McDonald House. Yay charity! -Challenging course (If you love a challenge during a fun race, it's awesome for that!) -Free candy on the course (My friend and I created the Candy Challenge where we had to eat the candy at every station while still running. It was fun.) Cons: -Challenging course (if you don't train, you will REGRET it) -You will probably get a stomachache, ESPECIALLY if you do the Candy Challenge. At the end of the race, I didn't even want my chocolate because I had too much candy on the course. -15k started after the 5k, so the course got pretty hot. -Either the volunteers were being trolls or didn't know the course at all because they kept telling us we were on the last hill. LIES. Would I run it again? In short, yes. It was fun and there was a lot of support from the community. Even though I didn't run my best pace, I had way too much fun and that's probably more important anyway. :-) read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

My friends and I did the run for the first time as a group this past weekend. This was definitely a great event for even non-runners. The cost of the race is not that expensive, about $45 with service charges but you get a lot for your money compared to other races. First instead of just getting a cheap tshirt, you actually got a decent pullover hoodie. The only thing missing on the hoodie is some side pockets. The course can be challenging especially with all the hills, pretty much running uphill for the first half and downhill for the second half. Its suppose to be a min pace of 15min/mile but i dont think they really enforced it. Plenty of people were walking and its a pretty crowded race. Now the best part of the race is the finish, thats where you get your cup of coco, dipping chocolate and lots of snacks to dip in your chocolate. Tip: eat the pretzels first, if you eat it last your fingers get all sticky. read more

It was a fun race for the family. My son ran his first 5k, he chose the Hot Chocolate Run. I have run it a few times, they changed the course a little this year but they still have the killer hill which I actually enjoy because there is a nice view of the city when you get to the top. They didn't have any of the motivational music with dancers to get you warmed up which I was hoping my son would get to see. I also noticed they didn't have the kids dash for my little one, they must have cut back on a few things. The run part is still fun but with all the changes they have made I'm not sure I will be running again. We shall see next year. I do like the end of the race chocolate goodies, you get chocolate yum! read more

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I can't say that I was the biggest fan of the course because although it was easy to navigate, it led you through some of the ugliest parts of downtown and basically through all of the homeless camps. I'm sure those people were harmless, but of all the places to route the race, they chose the worst way to represent the city. I feel bad for those whom traveled to the race because they must have though SD was just full of trash and construction. Aside from that issue, it started on time and each corral was let go in three minute increments. However, I think this is just more of a fun race where people only sign up to stuff themselves full of mediocre chocolate. Not my cup of tea! read more

First time doing the hot chocolate 15k run. Why not. Another reason to drive down to SD and to eat some chocolates at end of the race. I LOVE SD! =) My friends and I ran the 15k run. There were some unpleasant hills. But overall the race course was good. You get such a nice view of the downtown and running through Balboa park was nice. Beautiful view. Did good on my time, which, surprised me! haha... Wish we also received a metal instead of that plastic mug. I thought it was going to be ceramic??? That was disappointing. :( But...the fondue, hot chocolate was delicious. Although I wish they put MORE marshmellows in the mug! 1 marshmellow...really? Overall, a good run and great way to get your day started instead of sleeping in! I will likely do this race again next year...and hope that we have a metal too! =) read more

I'll spare any details that involve running in general and running culture because there are things that people generally mention that the Hot Chocolate Run organizers have no control over. For example, things like "I almost threw up because I was so exhausted from running. 1-STAR!!" So, none of that garbage in this post (unless it's amusing garbage, as you'll see later in this review). This was my second 5k I have ever ran. From what I'm gathering from others, this was a very organized event. I can totally notice that from the expo on the 2 days prior to the actual run itself, then from the corral system where they launch groups at a time rather than letting everybody wildly run at will. They seemed to have thought of everything in preparation for this run. The Expo on Friday and Saturday before the run was mandatory for all participants since there was no day-of packet-pickup. So that was a nice way to get people excited about the run. Day of run: Traffic was easy to follow to get to the entrance. At the site, there were so many areas that were marked that it was impossible to get lost. Loved the water and Gatorade at consistent parts of the run. Nice how they put a DJ who played music at the midpoint of the route. Photographers everywhere, port-o-johns available too. After the race: Plenty of water to rejuvenate, big crowds of people at the finish line, a TON of chocolate in the finisher's mug we all get. Free samples from the Naked Juice truck. I was bummed out that there were no chairs available for us to sit either after our run or when we enjoyed our post-run chocolate. But upon further thought, that probably would have been tough to manage among all the things they had to deal with. Good thing they allowed people to bring chairs into the area. I'll remember to do that next time. What annoyed/amused me was that just after we started the race, there was some dingle-berry at the first turn with a sign and bullhorn rapidly yelling "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?!?! Do you believe in Jesus Christ?!?!" Because of course we all contemplate our faith when we're at 5k/15k runs. *sassy smile* When has that ever converted anybody's faith in that specific manner and situation? When has any runner started a 5k/15k a non-Christian and finished a Christian? Anyways, I don't mean to offend anybody (except that dingle-berry), but I just thought that was a hilarious observation I had during the run. All in all, a fun run to do among all the ones offered to us year-round. read more

One of the best organized running events I've ever seen. Considering how many participants there were, this was outstanding from beginning to end. The run is in downtown San Diego, and can be hilly and challenging at times, but it is a nice run nonetheless with lots of spectators and encouragement along the way. It is cold out during this run, which makes dressing a bit of a challenge, but you don't remember the logistics of the race - you remember the overall experience. The fact your bib has the chip imbedded means it's easy to wear under a windbreaker. Bonus! The race is group-friendly with lots of photo opportunities. It's also a fantastic finishing experience, with lots of chocolate, breakfast, hot chocolate of course, and dancing. There's plenty of space to unwind. The only criticism would be the value of the advertised product. The hoodies are nice to have when it is freezing outside, but I'm not sure these are worth more than $5 on their own. Also, the race advertised a "Finisher's Mug." Now, this implies an actual mug, perhaps ceramic or something comparable. What they give you is a cheap, plastic, oversized mug-looking thing you can't - or at least shouldn't - reuse. Here: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-chocolate-15-5k-run-san-diego?select=AWmgAWv6hxb_Swnq7xBkzQ#AWmgAWv6hxb_Swnq7xBkzQ It seems like a lame criticism I know, but I think if you polled the runners, they would agree you will get more mileage out of a decent coffee mug than you will a cheap hooded sweatshirt. I base this assumption on the sheer and overwhelming number of "mugs" discarded in the trash bins. Rating three stars because this event, while highly recommended, definitely needs room to grow into a first-class experience. Also, the event would sell a lot more merchandise if it could simply add "San Diego" to the merch. It's pretty lame to sell the generic, national items with no mention of where the run actually happened! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - See, these aren't real mugs. Real mugs would be awesome. - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

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Pros: -course was challenging, but a great variety or uphill/downhill/flat -sweatshirts were cool but ran on the smaller side -the goodie bag was a nicer drawstring bag vs the cheap tote bag -pre/post-race and course entertainment was beautifully organized. -TONS of portapotties... Not much of a wait Cons: -price -finisher "mugs" we're plastic and NOT ceramic which I thought they were going to be -a medal would have been better -expo was in a bad location and was really small All-in-all, I had a great time and will definitely do it again. read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - The starting line. So many people!!! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

This is a 3.5 for me. I'll put in a brief review on other than the fact that you get a cup of goodies. Paid $60 for the 15k. Maybe if I had paid $40 like one of the other reviewers, I would have given this race more stars. The race is well organized. The hoodie is awesome. The course itself is HILLY and it was totally unexpected. I did wish that there was a medal, but you can't have everything right? The hoodie is awesome! I did notice that the 5ker got the same hoodie so I am just wondering how much they paid for their race. read more

The Hot Chocolate 15K - or the race that should be named: "We're going to suck your will to live, but hey - there's chocolate at the end!" The race setup and organization was top notch. Packet pickup was a breeze, and the starting area was very well laid out. In addition, I don't think I've ever seen a higher porta-pottie to racer ratio in any race prior to this one. The DJ to get everyone pumped up was annoying, but then again - aren't they always? And the corral management was top notch, which I thoroughly appreciated. When I signed up for the race I knew there was going to be a hill. I just didn't realize there were going to be hills nearly every time you turned. The race starts in downtown by the ballpark. The hills start immediately, with a couple of little bumps just to act as a warning shot. By the time you get out of downhill to the Balboa Park area you've already taken an eye gouge. You then head down Florida, which is a false flat. Then there's the climb up to University, and then back around to Upas and towards Pershing. But, they don't just let you run down Pershing - first they tease you by showing you the big downhill before sending you back up for another climb. And then Pershing. And down you go.... Hooray!!! I'm done with the hills!!! Or, not. Nope - after the big downhill you're sent back up another hill into Balboa Park. At this point I was just over it. Although I did like one little part with a switchback where two buff 20-year-olds were clearly broken, beaten and walking. :-) This 40-year-old beat them. I'll take that. The contents of "Finisher Mug" at the end were nice. Banana, chocolate fondue with plenty to dip in it, and, of course, hot chocolate. But I was hoping for more than a plastic mug after all of that. In the end, if this race is trying to be a "Hey! Let's go run and then have chocolate!" they miss the mark. This is not a fun course. If they're trying to be a serious race, then this is a serious course. I wasn't planning on doing this event - it just happened to match with my training plan. I'd love to do the event again, but not this course. read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - Pre-race. - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

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It's about time I pay tribute to my favorite run thus far in my running career: the run that inspired me to never stop running! I used to never run just to run; there was too much monotony in that. After much persuasion by my older sister to join her in running the 15k, my fitness habits would forever change and I would gain a love for running that I never knew I could have! Oh and CHOCOLATE. If all else fails and running still isn't your forte, there's chocolate in it for you! This run is guaranteed good times! Whether you commit to the 5k (3.1 miles) or 15k (9.3 miles), you will be working hard for your chocolaty prize at the end of the paved rainbow! The swag is killer awesome, sweatshirts tailored for both the ladies and the gentlemen, all bundled up in their respective grab-bags, and the entire vibe of the run is one of camaraderie amongst strangers, devotion, and one collaborative sweet-tooth! The course offered a lot of incline and only natural to follow, lots and lots of decline. (Calves get to burnin'!). I'll be the first to admit, I walked a good 3/4 mile of my 15k! I had to! So don't feel ashamed if you do too and you'll see others along your way doing the exact same thing! Lots of gorgeous views of San Diego along the run, it's definitely a unique way to learn more about the city! Water stations are manned by wonderful volunteers that motivate you to keep up the good work til the next water station where a fresh group of folks will send you off with the same good fortune! With the END in sight, get your best sprint on and end your run with a photo-finish to be proud of, then head your way toward the unavoidable mug of amazingness! Chocolate fondue ready for the dunking of surrounding banana, rice crispy, pretzels, wafers, and marshmallow and a healthy cup of HOT CHOCOLATE! Now whether or not you can keep that all down after 3-9 miles of running, congratulations are in order and well-deserved! I would/will definitely do this run again! read more

Hot Chocolate 15/5k Run - SUCCESS! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Diego, California

Just did this run today and i LOVED it. When i registered, it was around $40. It was sooooo worth it. You get a really nice hoodie , cinch sack, and at the end of the race you get this plastic mug with hot choco, and a whole bunch of treats u can dip in melted choco. The run was really organized and it wasn't boring since you were running through the streets of east village vs an enclosed track. We also found street parking vs paying $10 for a lot. Will def be doing this one again! read more

Really fun race to participate in. This was my second year running the 5K. The many San Diego hills make this a more difficult course. All participants get an athletic sweatshirt. I have one from last year, its one of my go to sweatshirts to put on after a hard work out or just to lounge around in. As you're running/walking/jogging you'll come across volunteers passing out chocolates. I have never run with chocolate in my mouth, but it was sensational. I think I will try it again. The chocolate gave me a bit of energy or something so on I ran. The next volunteer area served a gross energy beverage, but they were kind enough to let me know that water would be right around the corner. Nothing worse than chugging a beverage you thought was water. Next year, I suggest that the water station should be before the energy drink. Finish off the race and make your way to the chocolate prize, a hot chocolate- and a cup of chocolate fondue with a mini banana, pretzels, a marshmallow, a cookie, and Rice Krispy bar. Added plus was the packaged towelette to wipe up all the evidence that you'll get all over your face! read more

With 4000 lbs of melted chocolate and 1000 lbs of hot chocolate (according to the announcers), this race definitely lives up to its namesake when you finish. Before the race, the bib and goodie bag in itself was a great experience and an event in its own right. The goodie bag comes with a sweater than in and of itself is worth the registration fee if you aren't too keen on donating an unknown X amount of money to the Ronald McDonald House (still, a small fraction of a fee is better than none of the fee). There were lots of free food sample vendors during the pick up and race as well, and lots of opportunities to buy really nice running swag. The race itself starts and ends in the huge Padres parking lot so it doesn't feel too crowded despite the hundreds in attendance. This RAM chip official race is a bit more of a family-friendly fun run than it is a competitive streak, although it should be noted that the 5K and 15K course is highly graded throughout the downtown area. Runners should be already training heavily on hills, especially the 5K runners who are making this event their first run/walk. The only few gripes I have about the race are that only 15K runners get medals. Depending on how you spin it, it can encourage or discouraging to the 5K runners. The run is also throughout downtown, so the $15 for parking in the area is a pain with free street parking being limited. Tip: family members can take the trolley for $2.50, but its a bit early for runners as well as if you smell post-run read more