Fun, fast, and mostly flat race. The course (I ran the 15K) was very well marked and there were abundant volunteers all along the course. Even though the weather sucked big time, everyone made the best out of the situation. I liked the post race snack and the hooded jacket is the best swag I've ever received from a race. I swear if I get another cotton t-shirt from a race, my closet is going to stage a mutiny. Great course, volunteers, and swag, the "Perfect Storm" as far as races go. I might not do it next year, but if you're in the area, definitely check it out. Tips: Arrive early. I had rockstar street parking for free! Granted I woke at 4AM that day and was probably an hour or so early to the race. Look online for discount codes. I saved a bit of money by finding some mommy blog with a code. :) Bring a disposable blanket if you are cold. You might wait a bit in the start corral. read more

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k - Races & Competitions Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Anything like this deserves 5 stars - you're being healthy and getting treated at the same time! It's a well organized race and a lot of fun to run - I will say, though, at the end of the race you're a little too hot to enjoy hot chocolate. :-) My husband was staring at his saying "I WANT to eat it. I just don't feel like it!" Keep the races coming, Columbus! read more

The course was mostly flat and I found it exciting because I had never laid eyes on the city of Columbus before that morning; not sure what a native who sees those streets every day would think. (I was in town to visit friends so that's why I raced here instead of at home in Chicago.) The 5k/15k fork was clearly marked and as a middle-of-the-pack runner I didn't experience a bottleneck. Aid stations had plenty of water and the volunteers passed out chocolate a couple of times. It was nice that neighborhood residents came out to cheer for us/wave while dog-walking/on their own runs despite the cold and rain. I don't have firsthand experience with packet pick-up/the expo, but my friend didn't mention any snafus in getting our stuff. The 2013 swag bag was a hooded pullover. It looked nice (and I even wore it during the race and it kept me reasonably dry during the rain), but the cheap material started to pill after the second wear/first wash. I like the logo-adorned drawstring bag it came in; that's holding up much better. When I crossed the finish line and stumbled over to the finishers' tent around two hours after the gun went off, the post race "party" had mostly been packed up. They were handing out finisher's mugs (a disappointingly flimsy plastic) full of delicious (but too few) munchies, but the inflatable kids' play area and hot chocolate mug photo-op balloon were already deflated and there was no music. If I cared at all about that stuff, I'd feel extremely cheated given that this race cost $70 plus travel expenses. I suspect the after-party caters to the 5k runners/walkers (who finish within an hour) and the 15k folks are assumed to care more about the running rather than the atmosphere. It was a fun vacation, but I'm not sure if I'll do it again next November at home. read more

I will say that after the 2011 Hot Chocolate DC 15K that was beyond disastrous on RAM racing's part, I wouldn't go near them for 3 years. I signed up for the Columbus 15K this year only because I needed a race prior to the Philadelphia Marathon. This in a sense was they're one shot for redemption and I'm glad this race was well run. The race itself is fairly flat and mirrors parts of the Columbus Marathon. Be ready for some of the Short North, OSU campus, German and Victorian Village. I can't speak to the expo, as my mom picked up my stuff for me. I was glad that there was a jacket sweatshirt this time around, as the 'jacket' from 3 years ago was not made for women what so ever. The chocolate at the end- I'd rather have the fondue in some sort of lining in the cup to make it easier to handle and so I can have something to throw away the left over chocolate when I'm done with my dipping- I ended up having to toss the cup because I wasn't driving back to Cleveland with it and risk having liquid chocolate over my car read more

My first 5K and was the best experience, despite the cold weather! Loved the decadent hot cocoa at the end and the yummy fondue I dunked the pretzels and rice crispie treat in. The jacket we received was super cute. I'll always remember the experience with my girls and my new Hot Chocolate fam! Organized, rewarding and fun! read more

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Helps a great Charity It was so very organized Had a great time excellent Goodie Bag and Loved the Finishers Mug Can't wait till next time read more

The organizers of this race knowingly trap the residents of Harrison West every year, and the race organizers refuse to work with residents to adjust the course. Last year a neighbor with mobility issues could not get to her mother's funeral, multiple neighbors coming off of medical shifts couldn't get to their homes, and many, many more could not see friends and family, or get to places of worship because of this race. This happens every year despite numerous polite attempts to work with race organizers so that the race course works for everyone. They will not even speak with neighborhood representatives. This race may theoretically be for a good cause, but the organizers clearly do not care about the people who live in neighborhoods that support their event. read more

This was one of the best races. The hot chocolate was the best I've had/ the goodie bag better than most/ packet pick up was easy although my friend did it for me. She said it was easy. The course was great although there was part of the 15k that seemed to have run out of cones. Parking was easy I am going to do this one again! Plus I live that it was easy to register and donate to the charity on line. read more

This was my first chocolate race, though it won't be my last. Great organization of everything from the starting corrals to the finish line party, and everything in between. Yes, the weather was pretty miserable, but the cold and rain made the hot chocolate even more welcome afterwards. Lots of volunteers along the course kept us in great spirits, and we thanked as many as we could for supporting us in such crappy weather. read more

Ok race. The way they had the layout made it difficult to get to the starting corral. There weren't enough porta pots along the course. The post party was already packing up when a lot of the 15k folks were finishing. Needs a spot to warm up after. Also, my biscuit cookie packet was expired and gross. The clocks make no sense to e later runners because they don't show what time you actually start. I think if I do this again, it will just be the 5K. read more

I ran in the Hot Chocolate 15K race on Sunday. Proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House. A good friend of mine has volunteered at this race for years. So 4 of us decided to sign up this year and we have no regrets. We loved the course. And who knew after a cool, wet race how delicious a hot chocolate really is. Every single aspect of the race was great from the volunteers to the course to complimentary jacket. I will absolutely be running again next year. I can almost taste the delicious hot chocolate now. read more

This is the second time I have run the 15k. The first time was the inaugural race in 2012. This year the race was twice as big, and it was still a fabulous experience. Fast, flat course. Interesting sights. Chocolate and marshmallows on the course. Enthusiastic volunteers. The weather was super-cold, so unfortunately I couldn't stay for the after party. I still got my fondue, which I saw freeze right in my hands! The swag was awesome--jacket, bag, and hat. I will definitely run this next year. read more

Awesome event! I drove from North Carolina to participate and was not disappointed. Very well organized in every way, 5K course was wonderful (do the same course next year), hoodie jacket is very nice and everything was run smoothly and efficiently. I was kept very informed through email and would love to do it again. Chocolate was fabulous too!!! :) read more

This was my first Hot Chocolate 15k and it was great, despite the nasty weather. The course was very well marked, especially the 5/15k split. I loved the starting corrals, the streets were narrow at places and the staggered start allowed for room to run. Also want to throw out there that there was so many porta-potties I didn't even have to wait!! Awesome!! There were tons of volunteers, just the right amount of water stations and I LOVED getting a chocolate candy mid-course. The hot chocolate at the end was so yummy. I will definitely run this again. read more

This was only my second race, but I can't imagine a better event. Packet pick-up was efficient and well-staffed. The race was incredibly well organized and hosted, and again well staffed from start to finish. The location and course were great, and the goodie bag / finisher mug can't be beat! Already looking forward to the 2014 race! read more

This was my second year for the Hot Chocolate Run!! It is a terrific event!!! Not to mentions the delicious chocolate is wonderful at the end!! Thank you!! read more

I had a great experience at the Hot Chocolate 15K in Columbus! The race course was scenic and offered a challenge with the gradual elevation changes, and the event seemed well-coordinated. Despite the rainy weather, the staff and volunteers did a great job of motivating participants. The goodie bag was awesome this year! I loved getting a running sweatshirt and drawstring bag that I can use again - so much better than a t-shirt. While I was a fan of the chocolate aid station halfway through the race, I know participants around me were wishing it had energy gels instead. Maybe chocolate energy gels to appease the chocolate lovers and give the energy boost provided by gels? My only nit-picky thing would be the price. I planned to run the 15K, so I registered early but still had to pay around $70. I know we get a lot for that price, but it was a little steep for my budget. However, it was worth the money. Thanks, RAM Racing, for a fun event! Looking forward to next year. read more